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I. Please answer any one of the following paper topics/questions.  If you want to write about any other 
topic/question listed below, you must clear it with me one week before the writing assignment is due.  
1. 
Explain, reconstruct, and evaluate
only the first version
of the Argument from Evil as 
discussed by me in class. Make sure your paper minimally addresses such questions as (a) why 
does the problem of evil arise only with a conception of the 3O God?  Why couldn’t the problem 
arise if one of the properties were removed? (This is part of the explanation); (b) What is a 
theodicy and how is it supposed to work as an objection to the argument from evil? (c) Do you 
ultimately think that the theodicy attempt to refute the problem of evil is successful?  Use 
Sober’s discussion in the evaluation process. Use plenty of concrete examples! 
2. 
Explain, reconstruct, and evaluate
Pascal’s argument for why, even in the absence of 
knowledge, one should believe that God exists. Your paper should minimally discuss (a) the 
distinction between evidential and prudential reasons for belief and whether belief acquisition 
can be successful on prudential basis alone; (b) Pascal’s actual argument for why is it 
prudentially better to believe in God than not (the detailed gambling process); and (c) some of 
the assumptions in Pascal’s argument. Use plenty of concrete examples!
3. 
Explain, reconstruct, and evaluate
The Ontological Argument for G

od’s Existence.  Your 
paper should minimally discuss (a) the distinction between a prior and a posteriori 
propositions;(b) the distinction between existence and essence; and the criticism discussed in the 
class.  Finally, you need to assess the theory by arguing either that the criticism of the theory is 
sound or cogent; or that there are good ways to respond to the criticism. Use Sober’s discussion 
of this as the basis of your evaluation.  Use plenty of concrete examples!
Your papers must be 5-6 pages long 
Word Documents
(1250-1500 words), 12” font, typed, double 
spaced, with 1”margings all around, and properly footnoted
1
(e.g. You must turn in both a hard copy in 
the beginning of class on the due date, February 21 and an electronic copy through Turnitin on the same 
day, February 21.
2
 Please put your name on the last page of the paper only! Late papers will suffer the 
penalty of a reduced grade (whether they are handed in late or electronically late). All papers will be 
checked for possible plagiarism through Turnitin, and any found to be in violation will be dealt according 
to the administrative guidelines outlined in the Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. 
NOTE:  
You are allowed to use only your textbook for this class as a source.  No other sources are 
acceptable.
Using such sources will result in no credit for your paper.
1
Sober, Elliott. 
Core Questions In Philosophy
. New York: Pearson, 2013, p. 73.