Write a well written and well argued paper on any one of the topics below. Your paper is due by 12:00 noon, Tuesday, February 16 in my box in the Lobby of IDS. Late papers will be docked one-third of a letter grade for each day late.

Your paper should be typed, double-spaced in a 12 point font with standard margins. It should be a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 pages in length (750 to 1250 words). There should be a cover page including an original and informative title for your paper, your name, this course, my name and the date. There should be a bibliography with complete references for any works cited in the paper. Papers should be stapled in the upper left-hand corner. No binders or folders please. Pages should be numbered. Keep a copy of your paper.

1. Explicate §307, "In favor of criticism," in light of the rest of the reading we have done from Nietzsche's The Gay Science. Be clear, specific and give textual evidence for your view. Does Nietzsche practice such criticism even on his own ideas? Why or why not? Finally, do you agree with Nietzsche on the value of criticism and on the reasons for its value? Explain.

2. Should one take Nietzsche's doctrine of eternal recurrence seriously or not? In your paper you should examine and explain Nietzsche's idea of eternal recurrence as he articulates it in "The greatest weight." Then, consider this doctrine in light of what Nietzsche writes in "Taking seriously." What tensions might there be between these two sections? What ways of reconciling these tensions can you suggest, or is it impossible, or is there no need to reconcile them? Explain. Finally, what difference might this make to one's view of eternal recurrence? Explain. (In approaching this topic you may find it helpful to think in terms of the relationship between the form and the content of Nietzsche's writings.)

3. Come up with a topic of your own. Write down your idea in the form of a brief thesis statement, then come and discuss your proposal with me by Wednesday 2/10. If you wish to write on a topic of your own, you must talk with me first.