College Essay topic

[APathToTake]

Hello Comrades

I've been given an Essay, of 3000 words, to do over the coming weeks.

I have to come up with a question on any topic of my choice and then put forth an argument within an essay from an objective point of view.

I was hoping for some help from you guys as i'm really not sure what I want to choose.
I just want to be able to write about something that does interest me and that I can also learn from, while i'm writing it.

Obviously, left wing stuff is an interest to me. So anything related is a welcomed suggestion. Whether it's Philosophy, theory, history or anything else really.

I'm just looking for some help

Thanks in advance

[KurtFF8]

That's quite broad. This seems like something you have to figure out for yourself, we aren't here to do your homework for you.

I'm not trying to sound condescending, but you need to narrow your topic down quite a bit and if you want advice or guidance on specifics then I'm sure people would be glad to help.

But to pick a topic and start you off for your own assignment seems a bit unreasonable.

[APathToTake]

I'm not looking for anyone to pick or start it off. Just suggestions on certain topics or idea's that people on here find interesting. That's all

You're right, it's hugely broad and that's why i'm struggling.
I guess, my only idea thus far is possibly something on the subject of Cuba. Positives and negatives related to the Revolution and it's effects.

But other than that, I have no idea what else to pick:confused:

[which doctor]

First off, get rid of the notion that you can write a good essay entirely 'objectively.' To be honest, I'm not even sure what that would look like. In cases like these, 'objective' usually means not straying too far from conventional opinion.

Since it sounds like you can write about anything, and you are being encouraged to choose something of interest to you, I'm not sure where we come in.

I find it best to write about whatever interests me at the moment, which is usually whatever book I happen to be reading.

[RHIZOMES]

First off, get rid of the notion that you can write a good essay entirely 'objectively.' To be honest, I'm not even sure what that would look like. In cases like these, 'objective' usually means not straying too far from conventional opinion.

Follow this man's advice. All my best, most highly graded essays were ones that would be defined as "biased". Since I'm passionate about my own point of view, that's the point of view I'm always best at arguing for.

[Invincible Summer]

There's no such thing as objectivity. I hate how everyone is always pushing for "objectivity" when everyone has their own biases.

Anyways, I think if you want to be more objective, or at least seem so in case your prof is a douchebag, theory is probably a better place to start. It seems more objective to be weighing the pros and cons about a theory rather than history, as history in itself is already biased. Basically, if you try to argue shit about Cuba that's unconventional, it may be seen as "biased."

[Lyev]

Maybe you could focus on anti-capitalism? This little article by Chris Harman might get some ideas going; http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/isj88/harman.htm Just a suggestion though; I find the best place to start for an introduction or overview of the radical left is anti-capitalism.

[Dooga Aetrus Blackrazor]

Do an essay where you argue the impossibility of writing an objective "argument" because if, in fact, your argument were objective, it would be an explanation, not an argument. Furthermore, objective arguments rely on facts. Therefore, you're ultimately being asked to draw a conclusion, not make an argument.

Even if you want a "loosely" objective essay, where you adopt statements that are non-factual but widely accepted, you are accepting majority opinion and the structures of society. This is essentially an argument from both authority and the majority. Thus, the assignment sucks.

I'd just write a consequentialist argument with a utilitarian line. Singer shows how vegetarianism is consistent with the treatment of severely disabled people. He shows a contradiction, arguably, using all widely accepted premises.

You can find stuff like that in everyday life all the time. Abortion and the death penalty (though they can escape the contradiction with appeals to retribution). Abortion and non-vegetarianism. Fetuses have similar standing to animals, technically speaking.

Not harming fetuses and harming third world nations. The list goes on and on. I'm rather focused on abortion because it's easy to give examples for. The opponents can escape with an idea of a soul, but that's pretty stupid rationally speaking.

[cenv]

There's no such thing as objectivity. I hate how everyone is always pushing for "objectivity" when everyone has their own biases.

Anyways, I think if you want to be more objective, or at least seem so in case your prof is a douchebag, theory is probably a better place to start. It seems more objective to be weighing the pros and cons about a theory rather than history, as history in itself is already biased. Basically, if you try to argue shit about Cuba that's unconventional, it may be seen as "biased."
Yeah, this.

You are always being biased by choosing what to include and what to omit, how to say things, what assumptions to work with, etc.

"be objective" = "shut the fuck up, repress the way you feel about something, and assume the infallibility of the dominant paradigm"

Revolutionaries wouldn't have half as much work if we didn't spend so much time banging our heads against walls trying to make people realize that all the a priori assumptions they make, the shit they assume to be an "objective point of view," is their worst enemy.

[Comrade B]

I wrote mine on the misuse of political labels. I talked about the terms Socialist, communist (what it is in my opinion), Communist (Stalinist), and National Socialism. I think that my school liked it particularly well because it became an issue a short while after submitting it when Glenn Beck started raving about "NATIONALIZING SOCIALISM IS NAZISM!!!"

Moral of the story is, write something that you believe, you can state your views (unless you are applying to Willamette University where the administration is renowned for their right wing views) but doesn't just sound like an 'angry commie'