Consider Robert Nozick’s thought experiment of the experience machine

Buy ready-to-submit essays. No Plagiarism Guarantee

Note: Every paper is crafted by human writers to ensure authenticity and originality.

(Option A) Consider Robert Nozick’s thought experiment of the experience machine. Compose an essay in which you address the question of whether it matters that you spend your entire life in the machine. To answer this question, consider a life that you consider worth living. Does it matter whether things actually happen? Or is it sufficient to merely have the experience.

Be sure to focus your essay around the reasons you give in favor of your position (your thesis can even be a blend of yes and no, if you like). State whether your argument is inductive or deductive, and say why. Finally, consider at least one objection to your view, and respond to it. (NB1: You may wish to discuss the conditions under which you would use the machine, and use the appropriate argument forms, if necessary.) (NB2: Importantly, this is NOT an essay about Hedonism. The issue here is not whether Hedonism is true or false, or what scholars think about this thought experiment. The central issue of the assignment is: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT? WHAT REASONS WOULD YOU GIVE FOR OR AGAINST A LIFE IN THE MACHINE?)

Important points to keep in mind:

I recommend you begin as soon as possible, and work in short bursts every day. (For example, work in 5-20 minute blocks, and aim for 200 words per day.

If you wish, you may compose your essay in the form of a letter, dialogue, or narrative form. (If you choose this option, please discuss your essay with me as you develop it. Dialogues can sometimes be challenging to construct. Remember: your narrative is a vehicle for your argument.)

Late assignments will be penalized one letter grade for every day they are late, unless arrangements are made with me in advance.

Essays are to be typed, using standard fonts and margins (e.g. 12 point font, 1 inch margins) Remember: concision is a virtue!

The citation format is your choice. Just keep it consistent.

It is fine if you discuss this essay with others. However, all work should be a product of your own effort.

Academic Dishonesty will be penalized with a grade of 0 (worse than an F) on this assignment, and a report will be sent to Student Affairs explaining the circumstances of the dishonesty.

Academic Dishonesty includes not only plagiarism (which is the representation of your own ideas with another\’s work), but also purchasing pre-written essays or having someone write the essay for you. Papers written in this way are easy to detect. You will receive a better grade if you do your own work.

The use of outside resources (such as journal articles, news articles, or encyclopedia articles, for example) on this essay is NOT ENCOURAGED. I am asking you to develop your own reasons in answer to the prompt. The question IS NOT whether professor so and so thinks that hedonism is incorrect, but rather whether YOU would use the machine, or whether YOU should cut down on your social media usage.

BEWARE: Consult with me BEFORE you use outside sources. Philosophy papers are not written in the same manner as you\’ll find in (for example) Psychology or English.

Your essays will be graded according to the rubric below.

You are also welcome to send me a draft of your essay. If you would like me to look at a draft, please arrange to send it to me as soon as possible.