Philosophy 2: Society and Values

Pierce College

Department of Philosophy & Sociology

Spring, 2020

Third Essay Prompt

Due Friday, May 15th by 11:59PM

Turn this assignment in via Canvas.

This assignment amounts to 30% of your course grade (unless it gets dropped as the lowest one of the four essays you write). 

In five pages (that is, in no fewer than five pages, and no more than five and a half pages): 

1) briefly explain Mill's Principle of Harm in general;

2) briefly explain how Mill's Principle of Harm could be used as an argument to support taxation for military defense (this should include Mill's argument in terms of harm preventions, and Mill's argument having to do with an incurred obligation in the face of some received benefit);

3) thoroughly explain how Mill's Principle of Harm could be used as an argument to support taxation for some part of education that is of interest to you;

4) argue for or against the application of Mill's Principle of Harm to the issue of taxation for education as you spelled it out in 3), above; and

5) defend your argument in 4) against a naysayer to either your argument in 4) or your explanation in 1), 2), or 3). 

Note: If you do not want to write about Mill's Principle of Harm as it applies to taxation, you must speak with me at least five days before the normal due date so that we can craft a unique prompt corresponding to your alternative interest. 

Note: If you want to write about the application of Mill's Principle of Harm as a way of evaluating different governments' responses to the current pandemic, contact me at least five days before the normal due date so I can come up with an appropriate prompt for you. 

If you submit someone else's ideas, words, or phrases, you must cite those individuals: plagiarism of any kind will not be accepted.  If you submit ideas, words, or phrases from a previous essay of your own, explicitly state as much.  Please do not just represent, word for word, old material.  Go to http://libguides.piercecollege.edu/citation for excellent information on citing.

Use one-inch margins all around, double-spacing throughout, and Times New Roman font, size 12 only–and no title pages or page numbers please.