September 7, 2020.
A get-together of great minds at the highest point in South Bend
I am getting increasingly annoyed at the unsubstantiated and potentially life-threatening claims of politicians and untrained academics about how to contain the Coronavirus pandemic. To calm my nerves, I decide to hold a little after-dinner soirée at my home at the highest point in South Bend (no kidding!). I invite two old friends, Machiavelli and Kant, whom I have miraculously brought back to life as well as my newest friend, you, to join me.
For the first hour or so, our appropriately socially-distanced conversation is exactly what I need—calming. Then, when the chit chat begins to wear on me, I make a mistake. In a modest effort to liven up the discussion, I bring up a contemporary topic. “What do you think,” I ask, “about the fact that US President Barack Obama lied to the American people to get their support for the Affordable Care Act?”
Kant is normally a good-humored fellow, but I immediately notice the look of disgust on his face. “Well,” he declares, “I think Obama’s lie was an utter travesty.” He adds: “You have to recognize that people are capable of recognizing what is right if only they are given the freedom to enlighten themselves. Thus, lying to them can only serve to drive them even deeper into their state of nonage.”
Machiavelli springs out of his chair. “Well, my dear Immanuel,” he says sarcastically, “You may tell good jokes at parties and play a mean harpsichord, but I’m older than you and I know much more about politics in the real world. The nature of human beings is such that every great leader must be prepared to lie to his people. Otherwise, he or she could never get anything done!”
If only because Kant and Machiavelli are great minds who have the good fortune to meet for the first time, I am shocked at this sudden outburst of animosity. Fearing that I will alienate one of them if I take sides in the argument, I happily pass the buck to you. “Well, my new friend, who is right, Kant or Machiavelli? And please don’t equivocate. I want a clear and unambiguous answer, and I want it now!”
Your Assignment:
Please respond to this question by taking a firm and unequivocal stand on who is right, Kant or Machiavelli. Feel free to use any of your course readings to justify your argument. We also read two pieces about Obama’s lie. However, the goal of this essay is not for you to comment in detail on the specifics of Obama’s lie or the battles over health care. Nor do I want you to do additional research. Rather the prompt asks you to reflect on the big “truth and politics” issues at the heart of this course. Dare to be creative!
I have designed this assignment to teach you while you are thinking and writing. The skill of persuasion will be useful throughout your remaining years at ND and beyond. I am still working on improving my persuasive skills today.
In framing your assignment as I have done above, I seek to challenge you to make and defend an argument. A persuasive argument always has two features: 1) a clear and concise statement of where you stand; and 2) an explanation of your reasons for taking this position rather than its rival. As every good epidemiologist, climate scientist, and football coach knows, a successful argument or strategy must anticipate the counterargument or counterstrategy that someone will raise against it. This means that you should clearly state both your argument and the counterargument that will likely be raised against you.
I will evaluate your essay according to three criteria: the clarity and consistency of your argument; your use of readings and discussions to back up your points concretely; and, importantly, your demonstrated ability to think for yourself. Remember: if you are not sure what you are saying, I will not be sure what you are saying either. Explain yourself and do so in the clearest possible fashion! Remember Orwell (WWOS?).
When referring to your readings, feel free to use any simple citation form (e.g., author and page). It is fine to use short quotations, but indicate why you are using them. Quotations do not speak for themselves.
Finally, don’t forget the Shaker hymn: “ ‘tis a joy to be simple . . .” State your argument boldly; justify it in a logical fashion; when you are done, stop.
The Honor Code to which you have affixed your signature applies! It is fine with me if you discuss this assignment with your classmates. However, your essay and argument must be absolutely, completely, and unmistakably your own work. For this reason, unless you are consulting with someone at the Writing Center or with me (I will be glad to comment on your introductory paragraph if you send it by Saturday), do not share any part of your essay with anyone else.
Your essay should be no more than four (4) pages. It should have a carefully chosen title. Please double space the essay and use 12 point. Don’t forget to put your name on it.
Please adhere to every word of these guidelines. Over the decades, it has been amazing to me how difficult it is to get universal cooperation on this simple score. In return, and in a remarkable gesture of beneficence, I am giving you one additional day to finish your essay (8 days in all). Please send it no later than 12:00 pm on Tuesday, September 15. Call me generous! Call me Lorenzo Di Piero De’ Medici!
My expectations are not unreasonable. I simply request that you write the best essay you have ever written in your life.
Good luck!