Our primary objective in this course is to introduce you to the practice of philosophy by studying a number of problems with which philosophers have grappled. In order to effectively examine responses to these problems and to create our own responses we will begin with a short discussion of logic and consideration of the characteristics that distinguish good arguments from bad ones. We will then examine some problems in metaphysics (the study of the nature of reality) and epistemology (study of knowledge). In the first term we will discuss some of the following metaphysical and/or epistemological questions: Is there a God? Should we be concerned about a difference between appearance and reality? Do we have any reason to believe that the sun will rise tomorrow? What is knowledge and of what can we be certain? What is objective knowledge? Is scientific knowledge objective? Our examination of these issues may help us to explore the relationship between mind and body. Questions about this topic include: Can minds be distinguished from bodies? Does human intelligence differ in kind from computer intelligence?
In the second semester, we will begin by looking at the problem of free will. Can material beings governed by the laws of nature be free? If so, how can this be? If not, would having a spirit, soul, or non-material mind change anything? Questions about freedom will lead us to the principal subject matter of the second semester: ethics. Is there some sort of objectivity in ethics? If so, how is it secured; if not, is there any point to moral discourse? Not only will we wrestle with the nature of moral knowledge, we will also have a close look at some specific moral issues: abortion, euthanasia and famine relief. We will survey Utilitarian and Kantian approaches to these problems. Towards the end of the semester, we will examine different theories of justice and how they are related to different views on the nature and purpose of government.
First Semester Assignments:
5% 3-5 page essay
15% 5-7 page essay
10% based on your top 3 grades on 4 "unannounced" short quizzes
to be given throughout the term
5% Attendance and Participation
Second Semester Assignments:
15% 6-8 page essay
15% 8-10 page essay
5% Attendance and Participation
**late essays will not be accepted**
Final Exam:
30% (cumulative)
Grades reflecting all first term work are posted on the door of TC 334.
Check back soon for second term reading assignments.
Links to other Course Documents:
reading/topic outline
Overheads for Descartes' Meds. 2-6
Overheads for Hume, Enquiry 2-7
"An Encounter with David Hume"
Kitcher's "B.W.W.C.P."
Overheads for Harding
Overheads for Feyerabend
Outline of Dualism section
Turing/Searle outlines
"Practical" Reasons to Study Philosophy:
Why Study
Philosophy? (UWO philosophy department)
Why Major
in Philosophy (Michael Gilbert)
Reading and Writing Philosophy:
Good
and Bad in Philosophy Essays (Ronald Hepburn)
Guide for
Writing Papers in Philosophy (Ellen Watson)
A Brief
Guide to Writing Philosophy Papers (Richard Field)
Identifying
the Arguments of An Essay (Frank Edler)
How
to Read a Philosophy Paper (Jeff Mclaughlin)
Guide to
the Study of Philosophy (Garth Kemerling)
Please Keep
Watching