The Plague (book)

For the final essay:

Write a 1,500-2,000 word essay on one of the following topics:

(1) Take one of the following characters from The Plague:

Rieux

Rambert

Tarrou

Paneloux

Cottard

Grand

What normative ideals do these individuals try to achieve? Do they succeed in achieving this ideal? How did these characters change? For example, one might say one of the characters claimed to be motivated by a utilitarian concern, but failed to live up to this ideal.

(2) Consider a particular action in The Plague. Consider how the action exemplified a particular normative system, for better or for worse. It could show the dangers of one normative system, or one of its strengths. Make sure not to commit a circular argument (So do not argue that an action shows a normative theory is right or wrong by assuming that the action in question is "right" or "wrong" – try to be more nuanced)

(3) What broader point does The Plague make about ethics, or being an ethical person? What is Camus trying to tell us?

(4) Come up with your own thesis that uses multiple readings

(SUGGESTION: Construct an argument showing the importance of one of the ethical principles we have learned. Do not assume the ethical principle and use your assumption to justify it, but try to justify the principle on other grounds.

Alternatively, write on whether you think one moral theory is better than another, again not by assuming the moral theory to prove it (again, this is a circular argument – you can’t argue that utilitarianism is good because it produces pleasure because that already assumes the utilitarian emphasis on pleasure!))

Guidelines:

1,500-2,000 words

Citations needed (use any style you want but be consistent)

1 original source that you found on your own, 1+ source assigned in the class, and 2+ others. If you don’t know the edition of any version in the course, cite it to the course.

Have an original and clear thesis in the introduction.

No plagiarism (duh)

2+ primary sources (includes the plague and any of the readings we did in class – most of them can be found in the library or other sources if you want to expand your source material), as well as 2+ secondary sources. Look at the library for sources. Encyclopedias are useful places to start research, but not a good citation.