Please write a short essay on one of the two topics.
@Explain clearly the final version of Hempel's empiricist criterion of meaning. Some critics have suggested that the criterion is self-defeating because it is neither empirical nor logical. Explain Hempel's response carefully. In particular, explain the two respects in which the criterion is supposed to be adequate.@
The aim of this exercise is to write as clearly and as succinctly as possible. So avoid writing a long essay (e.g. over 5 pages). However, the essay should still provide sufficient background to enable someone who is not too familiar with the topic to arrive at an adequate understanding of the issues. (But avoid too much technical details.) I expect you to start with an essay plan, and rewrite most passages more than once. See it as a challenge to come up with your best possible piece of writing.
@Explain carefully the distinction between internal and external questions. Also, explain why Carnap thinks that (a) internal questions are either logical or empirical; and (b) external questions are pseudo-questions.@
Your answer should depend on a very careful textual reading and analysis of Carnap's paper.