Please write either two (2) 600-word essays in answer to two (2) of the three (3

Please write either two (2) 600-word essays in answer to two (2) of the three (3) questions below OR three (3)
400-word essays, answering all 3 questions below. Each question is open to every student, regardless of what
they have written on previously in the course.
1. In “The Film and the New Psychology”, Maurice Merleau-Ponty argues that “[M]ovies… always have a
story and often an idea, but the function of the film is not to make these facts or ideas known to us. Kant’s
remark that, in knowledge, imagination serves the understanding, whereas in art the understanding serves
the imagination is a profound one.” (57) Is Merleau-Ponty right? Why or why not? Be sure to consider how
well his view helps us to understand the Wachowski sisters’ The Matrix and draw on either Aristotle’s
account of the importance of wonder in Greek Tragedy or the role of observation and reason in Brecht’s
discussion of his Epic Theatre. The answer can focus on Merleau-Ponty but should give substantial
consideration to either Aristotle or Brecht.
2. In “Reality Remade”, Nelson Goodman argues that “realism is relative, determined by the system of
representation” (37). Explain what Goodman means and how he supports this claim. Is Goodman right?
Why, or why not? In discussing his account, be sure to consider how well it helps us to understand the
sound, shooting, and other filmic choices made in Jim Jarmusch’s Stranger Than Paradise. In supporting
your conclusion, give some consideration to whether Walton’s account of photographic transparency in
“Transparent Pictures: On the Nature of Photographic Realism” provides support for Goodman’s account,
raises objections to it, or both. Your answer should focus on Goodman but give substantial consideration
to Walton.
3. In “Beyond Mere Illustration: How Films Can Be Philosophy”, Thomas Wartenberg argues that film can be
philosophy, explaining “how Modern Times could be both an illustration of a philosophical theory and yet
also a site of deep thinking on the mechanization of the human under capitalism” (30). On the other hand,
Deborah Knight, writing in “The Third Man: Ethics, Aesthetics, Irony”, argues that, while interpretations of
films can be philosophical, films are not typically so. Please give the arguments of both philosophers
careful attention and set them out precisely, consider which position – Wartenberg’s or Knight’s – is the
more plausible, being sure to draw on examples from The Third Man and Modern Times.
Instructions (below and continued on the next page)
1. Successful answers will always be in complete, grammatically correct sentences, organized into
paragraphs, and spelled correctly.
2. Successful answers must include a detailed summary of the relevant parts of the reading, comprising
between half and two-thirds, of the answer. The summaries should be:
a. Supported with carefully chosen and properly cited quotations (using citations in MLA format
which provide specific page numbers).
PHL 710 – Philosophy and Film F22
Final Assignment
b. Structured and worded so that the writing, other than direct quotations, is clearly the students’
own: writing not in quotations marks will be assumed to be wholly the students’ own – and, if it is
not, may constitute Academic Misconduct.
3. Successful answers will demonstrate careful, critical thought about the ideas, arguments, and insights put
forward in the readings; awareness of the objections that can be made to the ideas and arguments that
have been discussed in class (both lectures and class discussion) and/or in other readings in the course;
and careful, critical evaluation of assumptions challenged by the reading.
4. Successful answers will demonstrates that the films have been watched carefully and demonstrate an
understanding of the concept used in the course to discuss film.
5. Successful answers will take a position stated clearly by the thesis of the essay and supported strongly by
reasons given in the essay.
6. Successful answers will use only materials available on the course website and students’ own experience
and insight. Answers will not be evaluated on how well students have researched what other people have
said about the readings: they will be evaluated on well they demonstrate a strong grasp of philosophical
writing; how well reflections are developed about that material; and how well understanding and insights
are communicated. Students can use all of the materials on the course website for student use. That
means all materials in E-Reserve and under Course Information can be used – including the various
Encyclopedias of Philosophy. Material not on the course website is used at the students’ own risk – errors
that enter into the answers by that route is wholly the students’ responsibility.
7. All use of material that is not the student’s own, original work must be properly noted and referenced.
Failure to indicate that work is not one’s own is likely to constitute Academic Misconduct.
8. All referencing in a successful answer will conform to MLA format. All material from the course readings
and other sources will be referenced with citations that include page numbers for all material that has
page numbers. Papers that fail to cite using page numbers will not be graded until the page numbers are
added. Information on MLA format can be found here:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_style_introduction.html
9. Successful answers will have a list of Works Cited that conforms to MLA format and includes everything
used in the answer – all readings, films, lectures, etc.
10. Please do not use a title page.
11. As with all work for the course, students are required to keep a backup of their Final Assignment until they
have received their grade for the course.