****MY TOPIC****

Consider the following philosophical puzzle: “If a tree falls in the forest and there’s no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?” (1) How is this philosophical puzzle an epistemological problem? And (2) how would John Locke answer it? 

What you are submitting now is your outline (not the full assignment) There is a Word file marked Outline Template for your use that is provided in transitional form to walk you through mainly doing the paragraphs.  Please download it and use it for this assignment, if you like, or use your own Word format.  

In two to three full pages you need to include the following:

I. Your rough draft introduction with a clear thesis. How to Write a Thesis Statement 

**The following is an example (do not copy/paste and use) of a thesis statement/beginning introduction:**

Thesis Statement:

In this essay I evaluate the philosophical puzzle: “If a tree falls in the forest and there’s no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?”  In my evaluation I explain that this question raises the epistemological problem of how a subjective experience, such as sound, relates to what can be known of reality. I demonstrate that this question is a puzzle because it exposes the limits of what we can claim to know based on sensory experience. Lastly, I will explain how the empiricist, John Locke, would evaluate and answer the puzzle.

II-IV. A list of three or more body paragraphs with transitioning sentences. This is just an outline of three or more body paragraphs.  You are not writing the entire paragraph here.  Just the outline.

For example:

I.  Discuss morality:

1. Explain morality.
2. Then a sentence that transitions to your next paragraph such as:  The next area for discussion is skepticism.

Your next paragraph outline like above and so forth.

V. Your rough draft of a conclusion

VI. Your Works Cited of at least three reliable/scholarly resources