INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
Spring 2002
Mondays and Thursdays, 9:55-11:10; Tuesdays, 2:10-4:30.
Texts:
1) J. Perry & M. Bratman, eds., Introduction to Philosophy (Oxford University Press). {hereafter, referred to as Perry}
2) Bertrand Russell, The Problems of Philosophy (Oxford University Press). {hereafter, referred to as Russell}
Class Attendance
Class attendance and participation are expected. You should bring to every class a card with your name and date, which I will be collecting. Think of students who are remiss in matters of attendance and participation as free-riders - as people who expect to reap benefits from, or at the expense of, others [in this case, the students who conscientiously study, attend all classes and try to participate.]
( Class Participation
Class participation is the most effective method for learning. Although I intend to be careful not to penalize students who are not comfortable with speaking in class, I encourage you all to participate in every class. Ideally, the lecture time should be short and our class discussions should occupy the main bulk of our time. You should always come to class prepared to discuss themes and possibly answer questions about the material I will be presenting that day. Class participation will be included in grade computation [see below].
Schedule
[Read only the pages indicated below, in the order suggested.
Come to class prepared. 10% of your grade depends on class participation.]
Introductory Lecture: Why Should We Study Philosophy?
Perry, pp. 9-12 = Russell, pp. 153-161.
Thursday, Jan. 31
The Limits of Philosophy
Russell, pp. 141-152. [Compare p. 146, on time and space, with Zeno’s paradox, presented in the section Puzzles, in Perry.] [Also, see handout.]
Epistemology
Russell, pp. 91-100 [skip first two paragraphs].
Perry, pp. 12-16.
Mo, Feb. 4
The Philosophical Quest as a Way of Life
Perry, pp. 20-27 [omit sc. V, pp. 24-25].
Thursday, Feb. 7
Perry, pp. 27-42.
Mo, Feb. 11
God, Evil, and Philosophy
Perry, pp. 45-46, 47-49, 49-52, 53-56, 77-82, 91-93, 93-102.
Thursday, Feb. 14
Epistemology [= Theory of Knowledge] and Metaphysics
Perry, pp. 116-121.
Russell, pp. 7-26, 37-45.
Mo, Feb. 18
Perry, pp. 132-139, 190-192, 193-196.
Thursday, Feb. 21
Perry, pp. 217-220.
Russell, pp. 82-90.
Mo, Feb. 25
Problems in Theory of Knowledge: The Problem of Induction
Perry, pp. 230-251.
Thursday, Feb. 28
Perry, pp. 252-262.
Russell, pp. 82-90.
Mo, March 4
Minds and Bodies
Perry, pp. 314-323. [Recall your previous reading of Descartes’ VIth Meditation, Perry, pp. 314-316.]
Thursday, March 7
Lessons from the Study of Artificial Intelligence
Perry, pp. 368-381.
Mo, March 11
Personal Identity and Immortality
Perry, pp. 396-416.
Thursday, March 14
The Problem of the Free Will
Perry, pp. 417-426.
Mo, March 18 and Thurs, March 21
Spring Recess
Mo, March 25
Moral Philosophy: Utilitarianism
Perry, pp. 486-505.
Thursday, March 28
Mid-term Exam – in class.
Mo, April 1
Perry, pp. 512-528.
Thursday, April 4
Kant’s Moral Philosophy
Perry, 529-539.
Mo, April 8
Perry, pp. 539-545.
Thursday, April 11
Perry, pp. 546-551. Recapitulation: Utilitarianism versus Deontology.
Mo, April 15
Contemporary Moral Philosophy
Perry, pp. 598-611.
Thursday, April 18
Perry, pp. 654-668.
Mo, April 22
Perry, pp. 668-678.
Thursday, April 25
Plato’s Republic
Perry, pp. 679-698.
Mo, April 29
Perry, pp. 709-713. Plato’s Cave Narrative, xerox.
Thursday, May 2
Review of Moral and Political Philosophy
Perry, pp. 747-752.
Mo, May 6
Perry, pp. 753-769.
Thursday, May 9
Comprehensive Review Session
Course Assignments
There will be two in-class exams – one mid-term and one final.
Class participation will be counted toward computation of the final grade.
There will be no surprise quizzes.
You are allowed a maximum of two absences without permission.
Grade Computation
Mid-term Exam [in class]: 40%
Final Exam [in class]: 35%
Reaction Paper: 15%
Class Participation: 10%
Statement on Disabilities
If you have any special needs – physical, health-related, or learning-related – contact me, so we can make appropriate arrangements.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. I will let you know when my office hours will be held. I will be also available to meet you by appointment. Good luck.
On-Line Texts
The Cave Allegory from Plato's Republic
Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy
On Kant's Philosophy
On Utilitarianism
Philosophy Site
Proper Style for Term Papers
