Second Essay Assignment


A Conversation about Truth

An excerpt from a conversation between two wise men:

Havel:  “Arthur, my theory of telling the truth is so powerful that even your Rubashov could have been persuaded about the value of “living in the truth” during the period in which I wrote my essay.”

Koestler:  “Now, that’s where you are wrong, Vaclav.  If Rubashov had been alive in the 1970s, he would have thought it was better to “live in a lie.”

Who do you think is right, Havel or Koestler?

 

This question invites you to think critically about the character of Rubashov and about what he represents.  Would he have thought or acted differently under different conditions?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question.  We are simply challenging you to make a persuasive argument.  In making your argument, be sure to address every aspect of the dispute above.  Keep counterarguments in mind at all times.  Use lots of evidence from your readings.  Use your imagination!

I strongly recommend that you begin this assignment immediately. Perhaps begin by just jotting down a few ideas about the issue at hand, the contending responses, and your personal stance; then, come back to the paper later and try to compose a full response.  Crafting a great paper is always easier once you have written something down!

This paper is due by next Wednesday, April 15, at 9:00 a.m. Please email your response to Greg at Gregory.Siems.1@nd.edu . You are responsible for getting your paper in on time.

Good luck!