Posted: November 21st, 2014

"Summary Reflection" Essay Assignment

“Summary Reflection” Essay Assignment

For this assignment, you have a choice of writing on one of several topics which I will provide you.  The ideal format of this essay is as follows — (though I’m not

terribly concerned if your “summary” or your “reflection” turns out to be a little more than 1 to 2 pages):

***Important Note:  Please Double-Space your essays***

1) Cover (Title) Page (with all the standard information included –
no special format).

2) One page Summary of the philosophical position(s) you’ve chosen
to evaluate (which will essentially be determined by the topic on which
you choose to write).

3) One page personal Reflection on the position or positions you’ve just
summarized.

4) (optional) additional “Works Cited” page to document any sources you
use besides our basic text(s).  For instance, if you use information you
have gathered from some web site or book, you absolutely must
document it properly in order to avoid plagiarism.  So long as you do
provide adequate documentation, however, it’s perfectly fine to consult
outside sources for your essays.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions
about how to approach this essay assignment!

Final “Summary Reflection” Essay Topic Possibilities:

This essay is due Friday, November 21st

Instructions:

Choose one of the following topics and write your essay
in accordance with the guidelines regarding the structure and
the content of “summary reflection” essays I posted separately on Blackboard.

Possible Topics:

1) At the beginning of Plato’s Meno, Meno offers Socrates several definitions of virtue
or     arete.  None of the definitions satisfy Socrates.  Reviewing the definitions and
Socrates’ responses to them, what seems to be the major fault of each in Socrates’
eyes?  Do you think Socrates is raising legitimate objections to the definitions?  Why
or why not?  Discuss as critically and creatively as possible.

2) In his attempt to refute Meno’s definition of virtue as “the desire of things honorable
and the power of attaining them,” Socrates argues that “no one desires that which is
evil.”  Explain the definition and Socrates’ refutation of it in detail.  What is Socrates’
argument exactly, and how does it serve to show that Meno’s definition is inadequate?
Do you think Socrates’ argument is legitimate?  Why or why not?  Discuss as
critically and creatively as possible.

3) After attempting to define “virtue” unsuccessfully, Meno finally gives up and admits
that he does not know what virtue is.  Socrates then invites Meno to join a mutual
inquiry regarding the nature of virtue.  At this suggestion, Meno introduces a paradox
which, if legitimate, would make inquiry into the nature of virtue impossible.  What is
the paradox, and how does Socrates respond to it?  What do you think of Socrates’
response?  How, in other words, do you read the nature and the significance of
Socrates’ notion of “learning as recollection”?  Discuss as critically and creatively as
possible.

4) After arguing that all learning is recollection, Socrates lets Meno talk him into an
investigation of the teach-ability of virtue.  How does Socrates approach this question,
and what seems to be his ultimate answer?  Do you think the answer Meno and
Socrates give to the problem is the answer Plato wants us to accept?  Explain your
answer, and in the process, discuss, if you wish, how you think virtue is acquired.
Discuss as critically and creatively as possible.

5) One of the key implications of Plato’s famous “Parable of the Cave” (despite it’s rather
tragic ending) is that true freedom involves attaining knowledge of ultimate reality –
(otherwise, we will be perpetually enslaved to the “shadows on the wall” which are
no more than illusions).  In other words, Plato would have us believe that
enlightenment is liberating.  Of course, in Christianity, this notion is famously
captured by the phrase, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
(It might also be interesting to note the psychoanalytical equivalent of this as when a
patient suffering from a neurosis brought on by repressing some traumatic event can
achieve a type of cathartic liberation from the neurosis by regaining (conscious)
knowledge of the trauma.)  Considering this general viewpoint, then, do you
personally believe that, in gaining true knowledge of ourselves, of others, and the
world, we will simultaneously be gaining true freedom?  Do you think such “true
knowledge” is even possible or is all knowledge “conditioned” or “colored” by the
circumstances, the history, the culture, the particular interests and values, of the
knower?  If you believe the latter, is it still possible for some form of knowledge to be
liberating?  Discuss as fully and as clearly as possible, given the parameters of the
essay, your personal view of the relationship between knowledge and freedom.

6) As Harold Kushner suggests, there are at least three general propositions that seem to
underlie the thematic of the Book of Job, namely, that 1) God is omnipotent (that is,
He is all-powerful or supremely great);  2) God is supremely just and loving;  and 3)
that Job is an essentially good or innocent man.  In order to make sense of the story,
Kushner says that one of the propositions has to be denied, (that is, if you accept any
two propositions, you have to deny the third).  In other words, the three propositions,
taken together, are not compatible with each other.  Which of the propositions are
accepted and which denied by Job’s friends?  Which are accepted and which
challenged by Job?  Is there yet a third or even a fourth possibility?  What is
Kushner’s alternative?  What is your alternative?  In order to make sense of the story,
which proposition do you think needs to be denied?  If you think none needs to be
denied, how do you explain the compatibility of the three propositions?  Discuss as
critically and creatively as possible.

7) Choose one of the three theodicies discussed by Hick, namely, the Augustinian, the
Irenaean, or the Process theodicy, and explain precisely how it answers the problem of
evil.  After explaining the theodicy in as much detail as possible, discuss whether you
think the theodicy adequately solves the problem.  Then discuss how you view the
problem and how you resolve it in your own heart and mind.  Discuss as critically and
creatively as possible.

8) As an alternative to question #7 above, you might take perhaps two of the theodicies,
explain them, compare them, and then discuss which one you think more adequately
solves the problem of evil and why.  If you feel that both fall short of providing an
adequate solution, you should, of course, explain this as well and then go on to
discuss your own perspective on the problem.  Discuss as critically and creatively as
possible.

Analysis to Get Past Paralysis

At the workshop, senior managers made the following observations:

As a supplier to the auto market, it is dependent on its fortunes, but it has little influence over broad trends such as gas prices, or even the pace at which car

manufacturers decide to redesign their vehicles for fuel efficiency. That redesign process may take years but Breezy has obligations now.

Breezy already dominates the North American market for carburetors and air filters so that there is only limited scope for expanding sales in a market that is already

saturated.

So far, Breezy had focused on carburetors and air filters, something that it does better than others and a product in which it still has very clear competitive

advantages. Moving into new products would require Research & Development (R&D), as well as retooling, and it would have to be carefully coordinated with the redesign

of automobiles for fuel efficiency that is under way in the industry.

The key to Breezys existing competitive advantage is the tight integration that has established with its customers by using industry best practices, such as just-in-

time manufacturing and just-in-time inventory. Any future development should build on that foundation.

So far, Breezy had focused exclusively on the North American market. Because of its previous success and the overwhelming size of that market, it has never felt the

need to look for markets in other parts of the world.

Filtering the Options

After reviewing the companys financial performance over the past few years, senior managers concluded that Breezy had to expand its markets if it was to sustain its

profits. There were two options on the table.

Option 1: Breezy could stick with the tried and true. It could continue focusing on the North American market, working with its existing partners to develop products

for the fuel efficient cars of the future. Alternatively, it could try to expand its product offering beyond carburetors and air filters into other auto parts. The

market for standard auto parts was already saturated, however. One manager suggested that Breezy could try to move into the customized market, making specialized

accessories for car enthusiasts.

Option 2: Breezy could try to develop new customers and new markets outside of North America. It was pointed out during the PESTE analysis that car manufacturing was

growing in countries such as Brazil and India. Recently, Indias Tata Company had announced its intention to develop a popular car for the Indian market. Its target

price for the vehicle was to be about $2500 a unit. It was suggested that Breezy start developing the same close relationships with overseas car manufacturers that it

already had established with their North American counterparts.

RESEARCH PROJECT
You have been asked to investigate new international market options for Breezy Auto Parts. In addition to India and Brazil, Breezy has told you that they are also

considering moving into China or Mexico, both of which also have a strong auto manufacturing sector.
Working in teams of 2, you will be assigned one of these markets to analyze. Using country and industry reports available from various sources including the Canadian

Trade Commissioner Service (international.gc.ca), Ontario Trade and Investment, CIA World Factbook, U.S. Commercial Service, GlobalEdge, etc.), develop a report for

management that includes the following elements:
1.Summary analysis of Breezys current situation: What are the key challenges the company is facing and why? What are its key competitive strengths? You must use the

SWOT analysis format to organize your answer. In your opinion, is the company well positioned to expand into a new market?
2.PEST-C (political, economic, social, technological, culture) analysis on your chosen target market. Be sure to include:
a.Relevant economic data:
Overall economic trends GDP growth, population, income (PPP) per capita, etc.
Industry data size of the automotive manufacturing sector (by contribution to GDP). Is the industry growing or declining?
Relevant market demand data
b.Political and legal environment
c.Factors that may complicate a business decision (ethics, culture, corruption, bureaucracy, etc)
3.Evaluation of various market entry options:
a.Export either through an agent/distributor or through establishment of a sales office in the target market.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option?
What are some of the challenges associated with exporting parts that will be used in automotive manufacturing?
b.Set up a manufacturing operation in the target market either through joint venture or foreign direct investment.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach (hint: think about the companys current strengths and weaknesses).
What questions should they ask a potential joint venture partner?

c.Which option would be better for Breezy, in your opinion?
d. Investigate what services the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service and Export Development Canada can provide Breezy to help the company implement either of these

market entry strategies.
4.Final Recommendation: Recommend whether Breezy should enter the new market you have investigated.

REPORT:
There are two components to this project:
1. Written report due December 5. MAXIMUM 10 PAGES, DOUBLE SPACED, including charts and graphs. You must include references and a bibliography. All data, graphs and

charts must be labeled. Acceptable formats: Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat (pdf)
2. Class presentation: November 28 and December 5

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