First Paper Assignment

For your first paper, I would like you to consider the question "Which comes first, order or justice?" In other words, can one assume that a sense of justice, "right," or morality exists prior to the establishment of social order and authority, or do these things rely on social order or authority for their existence? Make an argument for one or the other as being logically more foundational to the way we understand human society. In so doing, you may want to keep in mind the differences between normative and empirical theorizing.

Your paper should be presented in terms of an argument – take a position, then try to convince the reader of the validity of that position. You can base your argument on your own personal observations, experience and values, on the theorists we’ve read & discussed (Hobbes, Machiavelli, Locke), or on a combination of both approaches. In any event, construct your paper as an argument based on the model of "scientific" reasoning demonstrated by Hobbes and Machiavelli (and discussed in class). State clearly your argument in summary, outline your assumptions and conclusion, using examples (either theoretical or concrete) to illustrate your points. You may want to consider or incorporate the following: Human Nature, the State of Nature, the nature of Power & Authority, and the basis for a Moral Belief Structure.

As presented in the syllabus, the paper should be 4-6 pages in length. It should be typed (or printed) in standard font sizes (10 or 12 point – 12 point preferred) with reasonable margins (usually 1" on all sides – whatever your word-processing program has as its default). Please also double-space the paper. The paper is due in class on Friday, 11^th of February or, at the very latest, by the end of that day. If you don’t have the paper done in time for class, it is better that you should attend class and get the paper in later in the day.

If you have any questions about this paper (or simply want to bounce an idea or two off of me), please feel free to contact me by phone (288-5251 ext. 8324) or e-mail (sean.duffy@quinnipiac.edu).

Good Luck!