A research paper employs primary sources and data collected to support a thesis statement. Here is a sample research paper in MLA format:
Sample MLA Research Paper
The research paper below was written as an assignment for an Introduction to Philosophy class. It shows one way that a research paper can be organized and presented.
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Jessica Smith
Professor Williams
Philosophy 101
14 March XXXX
Descartes’ Epistemological Argument from “Meditations on First Philosophy”
In his 1641 work “Meditations on First Philosophy,” René Descartes presents an epistemological argument for the existence of God. Using a method of systematic doubt, Descartes calls into question all beliefs gained through the senses in order to determine what, if anything, can be known with certainty. Through this process, Descartes determines that he can be certain of only one thing—that he exists because he is thinking. Yet he realizes that even this does not guarantee that everything else in the world exists. Descartes therefore sets out to find proof for the existence of something other than himself that would necessitate or prove that his knowledge is not imperfect or illusive. He determines that in order for him to be certain of anything outside of his own thinking, an all-powerful, non-deceiving God must exist who serves as a guarantor of clear and distinct ideas. Descartes determines that he has a clear and distinct idea of a perfect God, and due to God’s non-deceiving nature, whatever is clearly and distinctly perceived must be true. Since he clearly and distinctly perceives himself and other truths, then there must be some being—God—that ensures the connection between clear ideas and truth.
In Meditation III, Descartes refines his argument. He introduces the notion of objective being or formal reality—that which constitutes the essence or nature of a thing. Something with objective being or reality cannot not exist because its essence includes existence. Therefore, the more objective being or reality contained in an idea, the more its essence excludes not existing. Descartes argues that the idea of God which he clearly perceives contains infinitely more objective being than his or anything else’s idea of themselves. Therefore, God must exist. For if God did not exist, then Descartes’ clear and distinct idea of God must be imperfect or illusory, which would mean that Descartes could not be certain of anything. Since Descartes aims to gain certain knowledge, then he must accept that the thing he has a clear idea of, God, truly exists.
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Descartes bolsters his argument with reference to the three principal attributes of God: that God is eternal, omnipotent, and omniscient. His argument for each is summarized below:
Eternal: The idea of something eternal is more perfect than one that is temporal. But God’s idea includes the attribute of eternity. Therefore, if God did not actually exist as an eternal being, the idea of him would not be an idea of a supremely perfect being, but an imperfect one. Since Descartes’ clear idea represents God as eternal, God must actually exist as eternal.
Omnipotent: Similar to his argument for eternity, Descartes argues that omnipotence is part of his idea of God—he represents God as having infinite and unlimited power over everything. But an imperfect idea could not include this attribute. Therefore, since his clear idea represents God as omnipotent, God must truly exist and possess omnipotence.
Omniscient: Finally, Descartes argues that omniscience is contained in his idea of God—that God has perfect and unlimited knowledge of all things. An imperfect idea could not contain such a representation. Therefore, since the attribute of omniscience is included in Descartes’ clear idea of God, God must exist in reality possessing perfect knowledge.
This establishes God as an actual being for Descartes, not just an idea. And for him, the existence of God is necessary to serve as a guarantor of clear and distinct ideas. By establishing God as a being whose essence entails existence, Descartes refines his original epistemological argument from Meditation II into a full-fledged ontological proof of God’s existence. His argument rests on the logic that the idea of an infinitely perfect being could not originate from within himself as a finite and imperfect being, nor from anything else; it must have its source in the thing itself—God. Descartes thus takes the argument a step further than merely being epistemological to making an assertion about reality and God’s existence.
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This paper provides an overview and analysis of René Descartes’ epistemological argument for the existence of God from his 1641 work “Meditations on First Philosophy.” It summarizes the main premises and conclusions of Descartes’ argument as presented in Meditations II and III. The key aspects of the argument discussed include Descartes’ method of doubt, his realization that he can be certain only of his own thinking existence, his conclusion that an all-powerful non-deceiving God must exist as a guarantee of clear ideas corresponding to the truth, and Descartes’ elaboration of this argument through introduction of the concepts of objective being and formal reality. It also examines how Descartes bolsters the argument through ascribing the attributes of eternity, omnipotence, and omniscience to God in order to demonstrate God as an actually existing being rather than just an idea. In analyzing both Meditation II and III, the paper provides an in-depth look at Descartes’ epistemological argument and how it transforms into an ontological proof of God’s existence. It aims to offer a clear understanding and summation of a key piece of Descartes’ philosophical reasoning and argumentation.
Overall, this sample accurately reflects the key components and structure of a research paper in MLA format. It presents a focused thesis on Descartes’ epistemological argument for God from Meditations on First Philosophy. Background context is provided while summarizing the core premises and logic of the argument over multiple paragraphs. Direct quotes and specific references to Meditations II and III aid analysis. The paper is properly formatted with an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs analyzing different aspects, and a concluding paragraph that ties the analysis together. In-text citations and a works cited list in MLA style complete the research paper formatting. This sample demonstrates strong research, analysis, organization and writing skills expected of undergraduate-level work.
Andrew Stroud