Intro to Phil Syllabus
Jun. 22nd, 2003 10:18 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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xp_logsAll Phil students receive this first thing Monday morning. (who are you all anyway?) First assignment can be found under Class one.
Introduction to Philosophy
Prerequisites
o unconditional respect for your classmates and their beliefs
o reading & writing skills (help available)
o willingness to use reason to explain and defend your opinions
Expected outcome
o You will be a better writer, a better reader
o You will have good reasons for your opinions.
Required
o Manuel Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text with Readings, 8th edition, Wadsworth Publ.
Grades
o Your grade is my estimation of the quality of your work, including the following:
Beginning-of-Semester (BOS) Paper
Attendance
Homework (reading and written)
Participation
End-of-Semester (EOS) Paper
o A serious deficiency in one of these categories may result in your failing the course.
o I reserve the right to refuse late homework.
o Extra credit or substitute assignments must be confirmed in writing.
If You Want an "A"
o Do an excellent job in all areas, especially homework & participation
Beginning-of-Semester (BOS) Paper DUE June 30
o For each question, clearly explain AND DEFEND your opinion.
o Length doesn't matter; quality does.
o Grade based on how clearly and fully you explain and defend your opinion.
Written Work
o Proofread.
o Write clearly; don't use fancy or vague words.
o Word-process, double-space, 12-point font; paginate; STAPLE.
Instructor
o Consider office hours to immediately follow class. If you need me other than that, just track me down and we'll make arrangements.
"RSVP"
o The written homework is a way for us to carry on a conversation. When I want you to think about or otherwise respond to my comments, I will put RSVP at the top of your homework. You will not receive credit for your work until you RSVP.
o RSVP does NOT (may not) mean your work is unsatisfactory. It is not a criticism.
o RSVP by copying my questions and answering them on a separate sheet that you STAPLE to the original.
(If there is room and you write neatly, it is okay to answer on the original.)
o RSVP is due the next class.
Attendance & Participation
o Participate every class, by responding intelligently to the reading homework.
o Bring book to class.
o As a courtesy, please explain an absence (does not affect grade).
o Poor attendance (absences, late arrivals, early departures) affects your grade.
End-Of-Semester (EOS) Paper DUE ___________
o REFER EXPLICITLY TO THE READING, in your own words.
o As with BOS paper, explain and defend your opinions.
Justice
o You may ask for your grade-to-date at any time.
o Dishonesty in any form may result in your failing the course.
SYLLABUS
Class 1 June 23
Class: Introduction to philosophy and its method, Fact, Opinion, Arguments
Philosophy is the reasoned pursuit of truth, by applying logic to opinions. Definition of Opinions: your beliefs, including "facts". Valid Argument: the conclusion is derived from the premises with absolute mathematical certainty; i.e., if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true.
Sound Argument: A valid argument with true premises.
HW: READ Chap. 1.9 (51-71)
ALSO: Rough Draft Beginning-of-Semester (BOS) Paper
Directions: Clearly explain and defend your opinion. Double-space, paginate, staple.
1. Are any of your opinions (beliefs) false?
2. Are all your opinions (beliefs) unreasonable?
3. Does science "prove" anything?
(Include a description of "prove" in your answer.)
4.If the only way you know that something "exists" is through your perceptions of it, how to do know that anything other than your perceptions exist?
5. Plato thought that reason should be in control of the whole person. Do you agree?
6. On the traditional western view, persons are unique and more valuable than anything else. Do you agree?
(E.g., on the traditional view it's okay to kill animals to feed persons, but not okay to kill persons to feel animals.)
7. Are persons just physical?
(Brains but not minds are physical.)
8. (a) Does God exist?
(b) Can God's existence be proved?
[Answer (a) and (b) together or separately.]
9. Is morality relative?
(Moral Relativism: The view that there is really no such thing as "right" and "wrong" and that when people use these words all they "really" mean is "accepted by society" and "non-accepted by society.")
10. (a) What plan do you have for the rest of your life?
(b) What reason(s) do you have for thinking that the life you described in (a) will give your life meaning, i.e., will be a life worth living?
Class 2 June 30
Class: Correspondence Theory of Truth
Correspondence Theory of Truth: a belief is true if and only if it corresponds to reality, that is, if and only if the belief accurately reports on the way things are.
Realism (in epistemology): Some beliefs are really true and other beliefs are really false.
BOS Review
HW: READ Chap. 6.1 & 6.2 (441-450 only), 6.3 (464-468 only) Bertrand Russell (handout)
Class 3 July 7
Class: Epistemology, the Theory of Knowledge, Scientific Knowledge: Two Theories
HW: READ Chap. 5.1 --5.3 (360-392), Chap. 5.5 (402-414)
WRITE: page 392, #1 & 2
Class 4 July 14
Class: Two Views of Reality: Materialism & Idealism How To Talk About Reality: Logical Positivism, Anti-Realism
HW: READ Chap. 3.1 & 3.2 (178-199 only), 3.4 & 3.5 (205-217)
WRITE: page 210-211, # 1, 2, & 3
Class 5 July 21
Class: Human Nature: Psychological Egoism, Human Nature: The Traditional Western View/Challenges to the Traditional View of Human Nature
Human Nature: Free Will or Determinism
HW: READ Chap. 2.1 & 2.2 (76-79, 81-103), 3.7 (231-240)
WRITE: p. 104, #4, 5, & 6
Mid-term Break
Class 6 Aug 4
Class: Definitions of Religion, "Proofs" of God's Existence: The Ontological Argument, The Cosmological Argument, The Design Argument, Argument Against God's Existence: The Reality of Evil
HW: READ Chap. 4.1 - 4.3 (276-301)
WRITE: p. 301, #1 & 5
Class 7 Aug 11
Class: Ethics: The Notion of a "Should", Ethical Relativism
HW: READ Chap. 7.1 (510-514), "The Cultural Differences Argument", "Ethical Relativism"
Class 8 Aug 18
Class: Consequentialist Action-Based Moral Theories:
Ethical Egoism & Utilitarianism
Non-Consequentialist Action-Based Moral Theories:
Divine Command & Natural Law, Kantian Deontological Ethics
HW: READ Chap. 7.3 & 7.4 (519-553)
Don't worry about the difference between Act- & Rule-Utilitarianism
WRITE: Is abortion immoral? Answer this question four times: first use utilitarian reasoning, second use Divine Command reasoning, third use natural law reasoning, and fourth use Kantian reasoning.
Class 9 Aug 25
Class: Person-Based Moral Theory: Virtue Ethics
HW: READ Chap. 7.5 (554-560 only)
WRITE: TEN MAIN POINTS FROM CHAPS. 4 & 7
For each point, (a) summarize the point in your own words, and (b) give your opinion of that point. Label (a) and (b) for each main idea. If a point is or is part of a certain theory, name the theory. Show understanding of the reading.
Sept 1, Labor Day
Class 10 Sept 8
Class: EOS Paper Review
HW: WRITE Rough draft, EOS Paper
YOU MUST REFER DIRECTLY TO MATERIAL COVERED IN COURSE.
1. Do you accept the correspondence theory of truth?
2. Do you accept the traditional definition of knowledge as justified, true belief?
3. Which do you accept: the inductive or the hypothetical method of science?
4. How do you refute epistemological idealism?
5. Evaluate the Platonic theory of the tripartite soul.
6. Do you accept the traditional western view, the Darwinian view, the existentialist view, or the feminist view of human nature?
(E.g., on the traditional view it's okay to kill animals to feed persons, but not okay to kill persons to feel animals.)
7. Defend the materialist or the dualist view of the human person.
8. Evaluate the ontological, the cosmological or the design argument for God's existence.
9. Is morality relative? If not, defend one of the consequentialist or non-consequentialist moral theories.
10. (a) What plan do you have for the rest of your life?
(b) What reason(s) do you have for thinking that the life you described in (a) will give your life meaning, i.e., will be a life worth living?
Exit Interviews scheduled during finals weeks (bring your EOS paper)
Introduction to Philosophy
Prerequisites
o unconditional respect for your classmates and their beliefs
o reading & writing skills (help available)
o willingness to use reason to explain and defend your opinions
Expected outcome
o You will be a better writer, a better reader
o You will have good reasons for your opinions.
Required
o Manuel Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text with Readings, 8th edition, Wadsworth Publ.
Grades
o Your grade is my estimation of the quality of your work, including the following:
Beginning-of-Semester (BOS) Paper
Attendance
Homework (reading and written)
Participation
End-of-Semester (EOS) Paper
o A serious deficiency in one of these categories may result in your failing the course.
o I reserve the right to refuse late homework.
o Extra credit or substitute assignments must be confirmed in writing.
If You Want an "A"
o Do an excellent job in all areas, especially homework & participation
Beginning-of-Semester (BOS) Paper DUE June 30
o For each question, clearly explain AND DEFEND your opinion.
o Length doesn't matter; quality does.
o Grade based on how clearly and fully you explain and defend your opinion.
Written Work
o Proofread.
o Write clearly; don't use fancy or vague words.
o Word-process, double-space, 12-point font; paginate; STAPLE.
Instructor
o Consider office hours to immediately follow class. If you need me other than that, just track me down and we'll make arrangements.
"RSVP"
o The written homework is a way for us to carry on a conversation. When I want you to think about or otherwise respond to my comments, I will put RSVP at the top of your homework. You will not receive credit for your work until you RSVP.
o RSVP does NOT (may not) mean your work is unsatisfactory. It is not a criticism.
o RSVP by copying my questions and answering them on a separate sheet that you STAPLE to the original.
(If there is room and you write neatly, it is okay to answer on the original.)
o RSVP is due the next class.
Attendance & Participation
o Participate every class, by responding intelligently to the reading homework.
o Bring book to class.
o As a courtesy, please explain an absence (does not affect grade).
o Poor attendance (absences, late arrivals, early departures) affects your grade.
End-Of-Semester (EOS) Paper DUE ___________
o REFER EXPLICITLY TO THE READING, in your own words.
o As with BOS paper, explain and defend your opinions.
Justice
o You may ask for your grade-to-date at any time.
o Dishonesty in any form may result in your failing the course.
SYLLABUS
Class 1 June 23
Class: Introduction to philosophy and its method, Fact, Opinion, Arguments
Philosophy is the reasoned pursuit of truth, by applying logic to opinions. Definition of Opinions: your beliefs, including "facts". Valid Argument: the conclusion is derived from the premises with absolute mathematical certainty; i.e., if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true.
Sound Argument: A valid argument with true premises.
HW: READ Chap. 1.9 (51-71)
ALSO: Rough Draft Beginning-of-Semester (BOS) Paper
Directions: Clearly explain and defend your opinion. Double-space, paginate, staple.
1. Are any of your opinions (beliefs) false?
2. Are all your opinions (beliefs) unreasonable?
3. Does science "prove" anything?
(Include a description of "prove" in your answer.)
4.If the only way you know that something "exists" is through your perceptions of it, how to do know that anything other than your perceptions exist?
5. Plato thought that reason should be in control of the whole person. Do you agree?
6. On the traditional western view, persons are unique and more valuable than anything else. Do you agree?
(E.g., on the traditional view it's okay to kill animals to feed persons, but not okay to kill persons to feel animals.)
7. Are persons just physical?
(Brains but not minds are physical.)
8. (a) Does God exist?
(b) Can God's existence be proved?
[Answer (a) and (b) together or separately.]
9. Is morality relative?
(Moral Relativism: The view that there is really no such thing as "right" and "wrong" and that when people use these words all they "really" mean is "accepted by society" and "non-accepted by society.")
10. (a) What plan do you have for the rest of your life?
(b) What reason(s) do you have for thinking that the life you described in (a) will give your life meaning, i.e., will be a life worth living?
Class 2 June 30
Class: Correspondence Theory of Truth
Correspondence Theory of Truth: a belief is true if and only if it corresponds to reality, that is, if and only if the belief accurately reports on the way things are.
Realism (in epistemology): Some beliefs are really true and other beliefs are really false.
BOS Review
HW: READ Chap. 6.1 & 6.2 (441-450 only), 6.3 (464-468 only) Bertrand Russell (handout)
Class 3 July 7
Class: Epistemology, the Theory of Knowledge, Scientific Knowledge: Two Theories
HW: READ Chap. 5.1 --5.3 (360-392), Chap. 5.5 (402-414)
WRITE: page 392, #1 & 2
Class 4 July 14
Class: Two Views of Reality: Materialism & Idealism How To Talk About Reality: Logical Positivism, Anti-Realism
HW: READ Chap. 3.1 & 3.2 (178-199 only), 3.4 & 3.5 (205-217)
WRITE: page 210-211, # 1, 2, & 3
Class 5 July 21
Class: Human Nature: Psychological Egoism, Human Nature: The Traditional Western View/Challenges to the Traditional View of Human Nature
Human Nature: Free Will or Determinism
HW: READ Chap. 2.1 & 2.2 (76-79, 81-103), 3.7 (231-240)
WRITE: p. 104, #4, 5, & 6
Mid-term Break
Class 6 Aug 4
Class: Definitions of Religion, "Proofs" of God's Existence: The Ontological Argument, The Cosmological Argument, The Design Argument, Argument Against God's Existence: The Reality of Evil
HW: READ Chap. 4.1 - 4.3 (276-301)
WRITE: p. 301, #1 & 5
Class 7 Aug 11
Class: Ethics: The Notion of a "Should", Ethical Relativism
HW: READ Chap. 7.1 (510-514), "The Cultural Differences Argument", "Ethical Relativism"
Class 8 Aug 18
Class: Consequentialist Action-Based Moral Theories:
Ethical Egoism & Utilitarianism
Non-Consequentialist Action-Based Moral Theories:
Divine Command & Natural Law, Kantian Deontological Ethics
HW: READ Chap. 7.3 & 7.4 (519-553)
Don't worry about the difference between Act- & Rule-Utilitarianism
WRITE: Is abortion immoral? Answer this question four times: first use utilitarian reasoning, second use Divine Command reasoning, third use natural law reasoning, and fourth use Kantian reasoning.
Class 9 Aug 25
Class: Person-Based Moral Theory: Virtue Ethics
HW: READ Chap. 7.5 (554-560 only)
WRITE: TEN MAIN POINTS FROM CHAPS. 4 & 7
For each point, (a) summarize the point in your own words, and (b) give your opinion of that point. Label (a) and (b) for each main idea. If a point is or is part of a certain theory, name the theory. Show understanding of the reading.
Sept 1, Labor Day
Class 10 Sept 8
Class: EOS Paper Review
HW: WRITE Rough draft, EOS Paper
YOU MUST REFER DIRECTLY TO MATERIAL COVERED IN COURSE.
1. Do you accept the correspondence theory of truth?
2. Do you accept the traditional definition of knowledge as justified, true belief?
3. Which do you accept: the inductive or the hypothetical method of science?
4. How do you refute epistemological idealism?
5. Evaluate the Platonic theory of the tripartite soul.
6. Do you accept the traditional western view, the Darwinian view, the existentialist view, or the feminist view of human nature?
(E.g., on the traditional view it's okay to kill animals to feed persons, but not okay to kill persons to feel animals.)
7. Defend the materialist or the dualist view of the human person.
8. Evaluate the ontological, the cosmological or the design argument for God's existence.
9. Is morality relative? If not, defend one of the consequentialist or non-consequentialist moral theories.
10. (a) What plan do you have for the rest of your life?
(b) What reason(s) do you have for thinking that the life you described in (a) will give your life meaning, i.e., will be a life worth living?
Exit Interviews scheduled during finals weeks (bring your EOS paper)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2003-06-22 10:25 pm (UTC)Am there!
*grin*
no subject
Date: 2003-06-22 10:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-06-22 10:45 pm (UTC)At any rate, as noted in his last entry, Jamie's in the class. He said he would, so he is.
Re:
Date: 2003-06-22 10:51 pm (UTC)*adds to her class roster*
no subject
Date: 2003-06-23 07:45 am (UTC)Re:
Date: 2003-06-23 06:53 pm (UTC)*adds to roster*
Definitly in.
Date: 2003-06-24 02:18 pm (UTC)(Her ideas are sound and her thought process is decent, if a little naive - but getting it across in English won't be easy for her. )
(Like Jamie's player, there's no way I could do a real paper, although I -will- end up posting some basics in her journal, because I myself dig philosophy.)
Re: Definitly in.
Date: 2003-06-24 06:44 pm (UTC)(Heh, I wouldn't know what to do if everyone actually wrote papers because then I'd have to read them and come up with something semi-intelligent to say.)
Well...
Date: 2003-06-25 06:03 am (UTC)