This is Sample Paper 1, authored by David Barnett to use for class discussion of how philosophical writing can be improved. It’s meant to exhibit problems that show up in lots of student writing. This is supposed to be a 1-2 page paper addressing this prompt:
Do creatures like cats and dogs have minds? Or are we just projecting our own reactions onto them, the way we do with baby dolls and stuffed animals? If you think they do have minds, explain what you think the evidence for this is. If you think they don’t have minds, explain what your reasons are for thinking that. If you think they have “minds” in some senses but not others, explain what are the different senses you’re thinking of.
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