Paper Topic #1

Directions: There will be two short writing assignments (about 2,000 words in length) throughout the term. I will provide between 2-3 prompts for EACH of these short papers. Below are three potential prompts for short Paper Topic #1. Please pick ONE of these to write on for Paper Topic #1. This exercise is intended to test, and so your grade will reflect, how well you have understood and are engaging with the readings.

Prompt #1: Did the Aztecs do philosophy? 

In answering this question make sure you tell me how you define philosophy (roughly speaking)? Is there a difference between having a philosophy and doing philosophy? What is Miguel León Portilla’s argument? Why and how does by Susana Nuccetelli disagree with Portilla? Why and how does Alejandro Santana disagree with Portilla? What is James Maffie’s view and how is his different from Portilla’s and Nuccetelli's? 

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Prompt #2: Was the conquest justified from a 16th century Thomist perspective? Why or why not?

In answering this question make sure you tell me how Ginés de Sepúlveda defended the Spanish practice of enslaving and wagging war on Native Americans and Bartolomé de las Casas’ response to Sepulveda. Make sure its clear to me who you think was (should have been) most convincing to the ears of 16th century Thomist philosophers?

Prompt #3: What was Latin American "positivism" and what was the reaction to it?

In answering this question make sure you tell me how positivism arose. Why it was originally seen as an anti-conservative position. How did it shape Latin American nation-building? Why did people turn against it and what was the alternative?