PHIL 103 Introduction to Philosophy

Transcription

1 Spring 2001 Dr. David M. Mills Office: HM 408 Phone: (937) Office Hours: by appt. Purpose and Objectives: website: PHIL 103 Introduction to Philosophy This course is designed to introduce the student to the subject and methodology of philosophy by exploring three main divisions of philosophical problems: Epistemology, Metaphysics and Axiology. Within each of these three realms, specific issues will be discussed insofar as they are connected to the Humanities Base themes of autonomy and responsibility, the individual and society, human beings and the natural world, and faith and reason. The treatment of such issues will be traced through the history of Western thought (and through the writings of some of its critics). Through this process, the student should develop a better grasp of philosophical terminology, and should come to a better understanding of the nature and importance of philosophy, philosophical questions and philosophical methodology as these relate to the question of what it means to be human. Overarching this pursuit is a second, more general goal the development of critical thinking skills. The student should develop strong reasoning skills through the analysis of both philosophical texts and the student's own belief system. As a result of philosophical inquiry and the proper application of critical thinking skills, the student should leave this course with a more thoroughly grounded and enriched worldview, and a better understanding of how that worldview compares to other worldviews.

2 Course Requirements: The central philosophical issues which will be addressed in this course are going to be raised by way of several films to be shown at various times throughout the semester. In response to each film, each student must write an essay discussing the central philosophical theme(s) of the movie. The specific details of each assignment will be given in class and/or posted on the class website. Together, these papers will be worth 30% of the final course grade. There will be three non-cumulative exams corresponding to the three main divisions of the class (see the course schedule). The last of these will be given during the scheduled final exam time. These exams will consist of objective questions and possibly short essay questions. Together, the exams will be worth 60% of the final course grade (the exam receiving the highest score will be weighted as 25% of the final grade, the next highest exam will be worth 20%, and the lowest grade will count as 15%). Class participation will count for 10% of the final course grade. This category includes attendance, quality of participation, and any assignments given in class. Components of Final Course Grade: Reaction Papers 30% Highest Exam 25% Next Highest 20% Lowest Exam 15% Class Participation 10% TOTAL: 100%

3 Texts: The Philosophical Journey by William F. Lawhead. Published in 2000 by Mayfield Press. ISBN (This text is required.) The Trial and Death of Socrates by Plato. Published in 1975 by Hackett Publishing Co. ISBN (This text is required.) Grading Scale and Course Policies: B C D F 59 A B C D A B C D Academic Dishonesty: Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing on any assignment will receive a zero for that assignment. Attendance: As required by the university, attendance will be taken each time the class meets. Please note the fact that, due to our once-per-week schedule, skipping one class is equivalent to skipping an entire week of classes. Make every effort to be in regular attendance. Disabilities: In conformity with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with documented disabilities must notify the professor at the beginning of the term so that appropriate accommodations can be made. Due Dates: Any late assignments will lose 15% per day after the due date, and cannot be turned in for credit more than one week after the due date. Make-Up Exams: Make-up exams will not be permitted except in extreme circumstances (e.g., illness (with accompanying medical paperwork), death in the family, etc.).

4 Important Dates: Thu., Jan. 11: Wed., Jan. 24: Tue., Feb. 20: Tue., March 13: Wed., March 21: Tue., March 27: Tue., April 24: Tue., May 1: Last day for late registration, change of grading options or schedules Last day to withdraw without record Exam #1 (Introduction & Epistemology) NO CLASS (midterm break) Last day to withdraw with record of W--no Exam #2 (Metaphysics/Philosophy of Religion) Last day of class Final Exam (Exam #3 Axiology) Some of the above dates are approximations and may change, and some topics may be added or deleted, depending upon the pace of the course.

5 Course Schedule: Introduction & Epistemology (January 9 - February 13) Topic Readings (all from PJ unless otherwise noted) Pages I. An Overview of the Philosophical Journey 1.0 Overview of the Journey 1.2 Argument and Evidence II. The Presocratics: The One and the Many III. The Life and Death of Socrates 1.1 Socrates and the Search for Wisdom The Trial and Death of Socrates All IV. Plato s Reflections on Socrates 2.2 Rationalism (Plato) 3.0 Overview of Metaphysics (Plato) V. Doubt, Belief, & the Foundations of Knowledge 2.0 Overview of the Problem of Knowledge 2.1 Skepticism 2.2 Rationalism 2.3 Empiricism 2.4 Kantian Constructivism 2.5 Epistemological Relativism 2.7 Pragmatism 2.8 Feminism , VI. Philosophy, Faith & Reason Bertrand Russell s 10 Commandments 2.6 Existentialism (Kierkegaard) 4.4 Kierkegaard on Belief in God Handout

6 Metaphysics/Philosophy of Religion (February 20 - March 13) Topic Readings (all from PJ unless otherwise noted) Pages VII. Metaphysics 3.0 Overview of Metaphysics 4.0 Overview of Philosophy of Religion , VIII. Arguments for God s Existence 4.1 The Cosmological Argument 4.2 The Design Argument 3.7 Libertarianism (Sartre) 4.4 Pragmatic & Subjective Justifications , IX. Personal Identity: Mind & Body 3.1 Overview: The Mind-Body Problem 3.2 Dualism 3.3 Physicalism 3.4 Functionalism X. The Problem of Evil Axiology (March 27 - April 24) Topic 4.5 The Problem of Evil Readings (all from PJ unless otherwise noted) Pages XI. Ethics 5.0 Overview of Ethics 5.1 Ethical Relativism vs. Objectivism 5.2 Ethical Egoism 5.3 Utilitarianism 5.4 Kantian Ethics 5.6 Feminist Ethics XII. Social/Political Philosophy 6.0 Overview of Political Philosophy 6.1 The Justification of Government 6.2 The Question of Justice (Rawls, Nozick) 6.3 The Individual and the State (Marx)

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