In light of your view of human nature and the material covered in class, write a research essay
answering one (1) of the following questions:
1) Focusing on one (1) of the readings from weeks 8 and 9 (i.e. the Mill, Nietzsche, Marx or
Nussbaum reading), outline the vision that this reading presents of human nature. You may deal
with such issues as the uniqueness of each individual, the influence society has over the
individual, what society owes individuals and what individuals owe society, or any other issues
you think are important. You should address both one of the philosophers mentioned above, but
also refer to a minimum of two other secondary materials to make your case.
(Note: you should avoid choosing this question if you participated in debate topic 5 in week 9.
Alternatively, if you really wish to do this question and took part in that debate, then you must
address different aspects of the topic to those you addressed in your debate).
2) Drawing on one (1) of the readings from week 10 (i.e the De Beauvoir or Butler readings),
explain how this reading shows the importance of gender and sexuality for an understanding of
human nature. You may focus on such questions as: Is there such a thing as human nature
given the differences between men, women, non-binary and other gender non-conforming
people? How do differences in gender and sexuality impact on the nature of philosophy itself?
And any other questions you think might be important. You should address both one of the
philosophers mentioned above, but also refer to a minimum of two other secondary materials to
make your case.
(Note: you should avoid choosing this question if you participated in debate topic 6 in week
10. Alternatively, if you really wish to do this question and took part in that debate, then you must
address different aspects of the topic to those you addressed in your debate).
3) Drawing on one (1) of the readings from week 11 (i.e. the Plato, De Beauvoir, Badiou or hooks
reading), explain how this reading understands the difference between love and other similar
phenomena such as friendship or sexual desire, and show how the difference between love and
these other phenomena is important for what it means to be human. You should address both
one of the philosophers mentioned above, but also refer to a minimum of two other secondary
materials to make your case.
