critical Analysis Chemtrails
Critical Analysis Paper: Chemtrails Purpose:
To help you develop skills in analyzing a real-world problem from a philosophical standpoint, your major task in this short essay will be to demonstrate your ability to critically examine a specific problem from one of three epistemological viewpoints. The purpose of this assignment is to develop your ability to identify a problem, examine the importance of context, recognize assumptions, draw conclusions and think through the consequences.
The Assignment:
A. For this entire assignment, imagine yourself as either a Skeptic, an Empiricist, or a Relativist (choose only ONE).
B. View this “Chemtrails” Conspiracy Video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EMdaOTpurk
C. For this entire paper you should “stay in character” and address all six questions from your chosen epistemological viewpoint.
D. Any research or reference material (including the textbook) you utilize in your essay should be cited in standard MLA format.
The Writing Prompts:
1. From your character’s point of view (Skepticism, Empiricism or Relativism), think about how you would approach a conspiracy theory such as the one in the video.
Respond to the following in 100 words or more.
a. Clearly state your chosen point of view. (Skeptic, Empiricist or Relativist)
b. From the standpoint of your chosen point of view, what do you see as the primary epistemological problem (problem related to knowledge) when dealing with conspiracy theories?
2. What we believe affects our context. How would your character respond to the following (in 100 words or more)?
a. How does your character’s context as a Skeptic, Empiricist or Relativist affect how you think about or approach the conspiracy theory video?
b. As a Skeptic, Empiricist or Relativist, what questions are you likely to ask about the line of reasoning presented in the video?
c. How would your philosophical approach differ from the other two approaches?
3. Staying in character, think about the assumptions you are likely to make regarding the line of reasoning in the conspiracy video because of your context. Respond to the following in 100 words or more.
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a. What pre-conceived ideas do you already have because you are either a Skeptic, an Empiricist, or a Relativist?
b. How do your assumptions and pre-conceived ideas affect the way you evaluate this conspiracy theory?
c. What are the strengths/weaknesses of your way of understanding the problem?
4. Remaining in character, see what you can discover about the person or persons who you believe created this video. Respond to the following in 100 words or more.
a. In one sentence, briefly explain who created the video. Be specific. What is their name? Who are they? Why did they make this video?
b. Identify the assumptions you think they are making.
c. What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of approaching the question of a conspiracy theory the way they do?
5. In Question 1 you identified what your character would see as the primary problem with regard to knowledge. From your character’s point of view, what do you see as the solution to the problem you identified in Question 1? How does the Skeptic, Empiricist or Relativist resolve this problem? Respond in 100 words or more.
6. Think about the implications or consequences of thinking about this problem from your character’s epistemological perspective. Respond to the following in 100 words or more.
a. What are the implications or consequences that might result from thinking about the conspiracy video from only your chosen perspective?
b. In what ways could your thinking benefit from using other epistemological perspectives as well? What questions might the other viewpoints ask that your character isn’t asking?
Reference for the book can be The philosophical journey An interactive Approach
