final essay

Your written essays on question one should be approximately 1000 – 1250 words (4-5 pages double-spaced). Answers must be submitted as a Word doc attachment to our class Canvas site no later than 10 am on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Your grades will be based on how thoroughly, analytically and creatively you argue an answer, and how well you use evidence from a broad range of theorists to support your claims. (Remember that this exam concentrates on our readings, discussions, and commentaries on Wollstonecraft, Marx, Mill, Beauvoir, Nietzsche, Foucault, Jameson & Baudrillard, Arendt, Berry, Dobson and Ahmed – but you are free to use theorists from the first half of the course as well.)

Prompt

Question 1: Take-home essay

Many of the most powerful political movements of the last century – such as for African-American and women’s civil rights, against genocide and apartheid – have been rooted in claims of morality and universal humanity. Yet Nietzsche has claimed we are stuck merely in “slave morality,” while others assert that the Enlightenment project rationalizing universal moral norms has failed. As we have moved forward into the 21st century, is it even possible for us to make any sort of moral and political claim condemning “crimes against humanity,” genocide, torture, human trafficking, environmental destruction, or other violations of “universal human rights?” Explain why or why not. If not – is politics and political life even possible, and how? And if yes – then how and on what basis?

Solution Preview

Slave Morality Outline

Introduction

Thesis: This mentality of improving the lives of others and a focus on the poor members of society has been effective in guaranteeing successful resolution of otherwise precarious

(43 words)