A soirée of four great minds in yes-it’s-not-quite-spring-yet South Bend

I am getting increasingly concerned about all of the disinformation and untruth-telling about the COVID pandemic.  If people can be led to believe all kinds of nonsense about an indisputably life-threatening disease like the Coronavirus, what hope can we have for the future of liberal democracy in America?   To calm my nerves, I decide to hold a little 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 the subject of lying in politics.  “What do you think,” I ask, “about the fact that the former 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 all human beings have the natural instinct to recognize 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.  And the consequence of this lying will ultimately undermine your democracy”

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, especially in a democracy. 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. Read the prompt carefully:  Every word in this prompt counts! Do not do any research on this topic. You should only use your course readings and class discussion to justify your argument.  Although we have read two opinion pieces about Obama’s lie, the goal of this assignment is not for you to comment in detail on the specifics of Obama’s actions or the battles over health care. 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 is not innate.  It is learned. I am still working on improving my persuasive skills today.

I have set up this assignment to challenge you to make and defend an argument. A persuasive argument always has three features: 1) a clear statement of the issue at hand; 2) 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 field hockey 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.  For guidance, remember our debate.

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?).  Also, read my Tips for Great Writing and my comments on your paragraphs carefully. I will likely become impatient if you do not follow my simple guidelines and suggestions!

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, do not share any part of your essay with anyone else.  There are two exceptions to this rule. First, I strongly encourage you to share your draft(s) with someone at the Writing Center.  It never hurts and, to paraphrase Karl Marx, you have a world to gain. An outside reader will immediately recognize issues that are not apparent to you. Second, feel free to share your opening paragraph with me.  I will be glad to comment if you can get it to me by Saturday. Don’t be afraid if it’s not yet finished.

Your essay should be no more than three (3) pages. It should have a carefully chosen title. Please double space the essay and use 12 point font. Don’t forget to put your name on it.

Please adhere to every word of these guidelines. Over the decades, I have been amazed at how difficult it is to get universal cooperation on this simple score.

This is a challenging assignment. Thus  I strongly recommend that you begin immediately.  Write a draft. Put it aside.  Come back to it. And so on. The more you write, the better your essay will be.

Call me Lorenzo Di Piero De’ Medici!  As a gesture of my beneficence, I am giving you an entire week to complete this assignment.  Prego!  The essay is due next Tuesday, March 23.  You should submit it no later than 6:00pm.

My expectations are not unreasonable.  I simply request that you write the best essay you have ever written in your life.

Good luck!