Intro to Philosophy Syllabus
- 1. In this basic orientation, the student explores, compares, analyzes, evaluates and discusses a variety of the principle questions addressed in philosophy. Typical questions examined are: What ethical system is the best? What is the purpose of my existence? Can I know anything with certainty? Do I really have free will? Can we prove that God exists? Why should I be moral? Whose self-interest counts? Issues covered will encompass relevant philosophical perspectives from Western and other major world cultures and include contributions of women and minority cultures to the realm of philosophy. Syllabus for Philosophy 110 A General Introduction to Philosophy
- 2. Phil110 Page 1 Cuyamaca College Philosophy 110 – A General Introduction to Philosophy Spring 2017 Section Number: 5639 3 units Room F716 Wednesday 6:00pm-8:50pm Instructor: Dale S. Hull Office: None Office Hours: None. I am generally available on campus from about 5:30 to 8:50pm on Wednesday. Or by appointment. Cell Phone 619-890-0009 (This is the best way to get in touch with me.) Email Address: Xenophenes@juno.com (I generally read my email at about 5:00am Monday through Friday. You may expect a response sometime during the day I read your email (i.e within 24 hours). Saturday and Sunday, I read email less frequently, (but I still read it as I am weird.) Course Length: Semester Length (16 weeks). Course Description: In this basic orientation, the student explores, compares, analyzes, evaluates and discusses a variety of the principle questions addressed in philosophy. Typical questions examined are: What ethical system is the best? What is the purpose of my existence? Can I know anything with certainty? Do I really have free will? Can we prove that God exists? Why should I be moral? Whose self-interest counts? Issues covered will encompass relevant philosophical perspectives from Western and other major world cultures and include contributions of women and minority cultures to the realm of philosophy. Major Topics: There are several major topics which will be discussed during this course. They are: Logic, Reason, and Fallacies;the nature and value of philosophy; metaphysics (What is really real?; Are we free or determined?; and Is there a God?; the Problem of evil and misogynist Christianity); epistemology (Is knowledge possible? and How do we know?); and ethics (How should one live?, How can I know what is right?). The semester will be divided into two unequal sections. In the first 'half'1 we will cover the value of philosophy and metaphysics, and in the second half we will discuss epistemology and ethics. Prerequisites: None. Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to: 1) Examine some of the principle questions of universal concern raised in philosophy 2) Compare and contrast a variety of philosophical positions relating to the issues considered 3) Debate the relative strengths and weaknesses of the philosophical positions examined 4) Identify, analyze, and discuss cross-cultural perspectives relevant to the philosophical issues being considered 5) Apply language, method, and concepts of philosophy in formulating a personal approach to selected philosophical issues. 1 There are nine weeks of instruction in the first 'half' and six weeks of instruction in the second 'half' of the semester.
- 3. Phil110 Page 2 It is my hope that you will fall in love with philosophy, one of the greatest achievements of the human mind, and that you will spend the rest of your lives pursuing philosophical wisdom with your friends. Classroom Expectations 1) There will be a reading assignment for every class, except for the midterm and final exam periods. You are expected to come to class having done the assigned reading. Class discussion will presuppose that you have completed the reading assignment, and I will not simply review the assigned reading. 2) During normal class sessions, we will discuss the assigned reading and related philosophical issues. Each session will A) a discussion of the assigned reading in Voices of Wisdom, which always concerns core philosophical issues, and B) a discussion focused on some central philosophical issue. Please note that you are expected to participate in the discussions. Although I will lecture, I will be primarily a mediator of the course topics. (I may randomly call upon the students, so please be prepared.) 3) We will discuss philosophical ideas and arguments together. I have constructed the course with this firmly in mind, and every normal class session will involve class discussion, the exception being exam sessions. Discussing philosophical topics is fun. Sometimes I will argue with you; sometimes it'll be you holding forth, sharing and defending your thoughts with the rest of us. I expect that you will be polite and kind—so that even the shyest among us can feel comfortable—and that you will have the confidence to express your thoughts and to listen to others in a respectful and thoughtful manner. TEXTS Required: Voices of Wisdom: a multicultural philosophy reader -- 6th Edition, written by Gary E. Kessler. Available in the book store. Online is generally cheaper. Please note that there is one copy of the 6th edition and two copies of the 7th edition copies on limited loan in the library. Note: The 6th edition is preferred but you may use either the 6th or the 7th edition. Books on Reserve: Voices of Wisdom: a multicultural philosophy reader – 6th Edition, written by Gary E. Kessler. Voices of Wisdom: a multicultural philosophy reader – 7th Edition, written by Gary E. Kessler. GRADED WORK Graded work includes homework, one term paper and two exams (midterm and final). There are 450 points possible. There are 15 points for the quiz, 135 points possible for the homework, 100 points possible for the paper, 100 for the midterm, and 100 points for the final exam. The final grades are assigned by number of points based upon a typical scale. An 'A' is an 'excellent' grade and is between 100% and 90%. A 'B' is a 'good' grade and is between 89% and 80%. A 'C' is an 'average' grade and is between 79% and 70%. A 'D' is 'less than average' and is between 69% and
- 4. Phil110 Page 3 60%. An 'F' grade is 'failing' and is between 59% and 00%.
- 5. Phil110 Page 4 I Quiz: There will be one quiz in this class. The quiz will be on argument types and fallacies. It will consist of 15 questions, each worth one point for a total of 15 points. The quiz will be multiple choice and will be on February 22 (fourth week) at 7:30 pm after the break. II Homework: Homework consists of nine different assignments that are due throughout the semester. There will be a homework assignment for each chapter as well as the argument and fallacy homework. The argument and fallacy homework is worth 30 points while the other seven assignments are worth 15 points each. There is a total of 135 points possible for the homework and this is worth approximately 30% of your grade. The homework is due at the beginning of the next class after it was assigned. A Homework Assignment is due on the class after we have completed discussing the chapter etc. I will generally make an announcement but it is your responsibility to make sure you know what is due. Homework may be turned in one class period late with a ten percent reduction in grade. The homework is designed to focus your efforts on passing the exams and, as such, each homework assignment will emphasize a different question on the exam. I really recommend that you do all the homework as that is one of the best ways to earn a good grade. Homework will be graded in the following manner. I will look at the homework and if it seems complete you will receive full points. If it is not complete, then you will receive a zero. It is your responsibility to make sure the homework is complete. Precis assignments: There will be a precis required for the argument and fallacy packet as well as each chapter. This is part of the homework so, please staple the precis to the homework assigned. (See the Precis Example handout for instructions.) The precis for the argument and fallacy packet must be done on "An Open Letter to Students" while the precis for chapter one must be done on Bertrand Russel's “The Value of Philosophy.” For chapters 8, 9, 12, 6, 2, and 3 the student must pick an article from the chapter which was required reading. III Paper: Please see the Term Paper Prompt for specifics. A) Your interpretation of assigned readings argument is due on March 15 (week 7). (Please use the Standard form handout in the Term Paper Prompt. B) The first rough draft of the paper is due on April 19 (week 11). C) Another (2nd ) rough draft can be assigned on April 26 (week 12). This is due on May 3 (week13). It will be assigned at the professor's discretion.2 It will be returned on May 10 (week 14). Failure to turn in this draft will result in you receiving a '0' on the term paper. D) The Term Paper is due on May 31 (week 16). 2 It has come to the teacher's attention that some students will need an additional draft for the paper to be the best that it can be. As such, the instructor will assign an additional draft as necessary. The student is required to turn this additional draft in on the due date in the syllabus. It will be returned the next week in class.
- 7. Phil110 Page 6 IV Exams: 1) General Information: A)Exams will have be a combination of short answer/essay style format along with multiple choice. We will have a brief review for the Midterm on April 5, and a brief review for the Final on the last day of class May 24. B) You must bring at least one exam booklet (blue book) or stapled paper to each exam period. Do not put your name on the blue book or paper before I tell you to do so. C) Exams are cumulative and comprehensive, although emphasis will be placed on material covered since the preceding exam. D)Exam questions may cover any of the material I ask you to read, whether or not I discuss that material in class. E) Exam questions may cover any of the material discussed in class as well as any hand- outs I present to you in class. F) You will have three hours to complete each exam (Midterm and Final). 2) The first exam (midterm) takes place in class on April 12 (week 10). It is worth 100 points or approximately 22% of your final grade. 3) The final exam takes place during the scheduled exam period (6:00pm-9:00pm) on May 31 (week 17 (final exam week)) in room F716. It is worth 100 points or approximately 22% of your final grade. Extra Credit There are two opportunities for extra credit. First, there will be extra credit points available on the exams. The midterm exam will have 10 extra credit points available, and the final exam will also have 10 extra credit points available. Second, there will be a single assignment worth a possible 15 points. Further details will be discussed in class. (Additional extra credit may be assigned at the professor’s discretion.) Special Circumstances If any of you have special needs related to the assignments, class sessions and/or exams, please see me before or after class, e-mail me, or call me on my cell phone to discuss the matter with me. More specifically, if you need to miss an exam for medical reasons please see me/call me as soon as possible, before the test. A doctor's note may be required. While it is not possible to generally take exams after the scheduled exam period, it is possible to take them before the scheduled time. Your paper may also be turned in early by putting it in my box. You can rely on my complete confidentiality with regard to any private conversations. Attendance Policy You are required to come to class on time every day. I will be taking attendance everyday. You should plan to not miss any class periods as this class only meets once a week, but you are allowed to miss one class period. If you miss one or more class periods then you may be dropped from the class, at the professor’s discretion, unless there are special circumstances. If the student needs to withdraw from the course, then it is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw from the course. The professor may or may not drop you at his discretion. The last day to drop the class without receiving a grade is on April 28.
- 9. Phil110 Page 8 Academic Honesty/Dishonesty Policies Academic honesty is taken very seriously here at Cuyamaca College. If you are caught cheating in any manner such as plagiarism, or copying from other students' tests etc. then you will receive a '0' on that assignment or exam etc. For further information about this policy please see the Cuyamaca College Catalog 2016-17 page 30 number 4a-g and professorial options for punishment 1-6. Reading Assignments, Session Topics and Important Dates February 1 to June 8. Please note that all dates are tentative and may be changed as needed. (This is very unlikely, but it is possible.) The Readings below are from Voices of Wisdom 6th edition by Kessler, Gary E. The 7th edition Readings begin on page 8. Part 1: Introduction to Philosophy, and Metaphysics Introduction to Philosophy Feb 1 (Wed) (#1) Introductions, Syllabus, Monte Python's Argument Clinic. Introduction to Argument (Argument and Fallacy Packet), and Philosophical banter (How to survive this class.) Feb 8 (Wed) (#2) Argument and Fallacy Packet homework discussion. Film: 12 Angry Men (Parts) Discussion of Film. Introduction to Philosophy (Chapter1). Read pages 2-17 and 25-26. Jan 30-Feb 10 Program Adjustment period. Feb 10 Last day for refund. Last day to drop without a 'W.' Feb 10 Last day to add this class. Metaphysics Feb 13 Census Day Feb 12-13 (Friday and Saturday) Holiday (Lincoln’s Birthday Observed.) Feb 15 (Wed) (#3) Chapter 8: What is Really Real? Sections 8.1 and 8.2. Read pg. 349-359. Chapter 8: Section 8.3. Platonic Dualism. Read pg. 359-368. Feb 22 (Wed) (#4) Quiz: Argument Types and Fallacies. The quiz will be multiple choice. The quiz will be at 7:30 pm after the break. Chapter 8: Section 8.4. Non-Dualism. Read pg. 369-377. Chapter 8: Section 8.5. Subjective Idealism. Read pg. 377-383. March 1 (Wed) (#5) Quiz Returned! Chapter 8: Section 8.6 Pre-Colombian Cosmology. Read pg. 384-390. Film: The Thirteenth Floor.
- 10. Phil110 Page 9 Discussion of Film. March 3 (Friday) Last day to apply for P/NP March 8 (Wed) (#6) Chapter 9: Section 9.1. Read pg. 395-396. Chapter 9: Section 9.3. Blatchford. Read 401-406. Chapter 9: Section 9.4. J.S. Sartre. “We are Free!” Read pg. 406- 414. March 15 (Wed) (#7) Assigned reading’s argument due on Standard form Worksheet. If this is not turned in on time3 then you will receive a '0' on the Term Paper. Chapter 9: Section 9.5 Karma and Freedom. Read pg. 414-419. Chapter 9: Section 9.6. We are both Free and Determined. Read pg. 419-432. Film: Groundhog Day, or Stranger than Fiction, or The Truman Show Discussion of Film March 22 (Wed) (#8) Standard Form Worksheet Returned! Chapter 12: Section12.1 and 12.2. Is there a God? Read pg. 501-508. Section 12.3 Creationism vs. Evolution. Read 508-520. Spring Break No Class March 27 (Monday) to March April 1 (Saturday) April 5 (Wed) (#9) Chapter 12: Sections 12.4 and 12.5. The Problem of Evil (Why do babies suffer?), and The Gender of God. Read pg. 520-532. Film : Star Trek: Voyager or Contact. Film Discussion. Review for Midterm Exam. April 12 (Wed) (#10) MIDTERM EXAM. Please bring a blue book or stapled lined paper. Do not put your name on it until I tell you. You will have three hours. Part 2: Epistemology and Ethics Epistemology April 19 (Wed) (#11) Return Midterm Exam Discuss Midterm and Final Exam! Rough Draft of Term Paper Due! Failure to turn in a rough draft of the term paper on time will result in a '0' on the Term Paper. The means that you will probably fail the class. Please drop accordingly. 3 The phrase 'On time' is defined as 'in the professor's hand before the professor leaves for the evening.' If the professor leaves early and he does not have the worksheet, then it is late and you will receive a '0' on the term paper. Please note that you may turn in the worksheet early. Please talk to the instructor if you are having difficulties in the class.
- 11. Phil110 Page 10 Chapter 6: Sections 6.1 and 6.2. Is Knowledge Possible? Read pg. 250- 261. Chapter 6: Section 6.3. Is Certainty Possible? Read pg. 261-269. April 26 (Wed) (#12) Rough Draft of Term Papers Returned! Second Rough Draft Assigned! Chapter 6: Section 6.4. Empiricism and Skepticism. Read pg. 269-277. Chapter 6: Section 6.5. Pragmatism. Read pg. 277-285. Film: No Film Assigned, No Discussion of Film. April 28 (Friday) Last Day to Drop Ethics May 3 (Wed) (#13) Second Rough Draft Due! Chapter2: Section 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3. The Buddha, The Middle Way, and Confucius. Read pg. 28-43. Chapter 2: Section 2.4. Plato's The Apology. Read pg. 44-58. May 10 (Wed) (#14) Second Rough Draft Returned! Chapter 2: Section 2.5. Aristotle's Nicomacean Ethics. Read pg. 59-68 Chapter 2: Section 2.7. Ayn Rand (The Virtue of Selfishness!) Read pg. 75-80. Film: Eat Drink Man Woman or Enlightenment Guaranteed, Film Discussion. May 17 (Wed) (#15) Chapter 3: Sections 3.1 and 3.2 Categorical Imperative. Read pg. 81-88. Chapter 3: Section 3.3. J.S. Mill's Utilitarianism. Read pg. 88-96. Natural Law Theory Handout (Aquinas). May 24 (Wed) (#16) Term Paper due in class! Review for Final! Chapter 3: Section 3.5 The Ethic of Care. Read 107-119. Chapter 3: Section 3.6 Moral Relativism. Read 119-126. Film: Star Trek: The Next Generation: Justice or Rebel without a Cause. Discussion of film. May 31 (Wed) Final Exam 6:00-9:00pm. In Room F716 Please bring a blue book. Do not put your name on it until I tell you. Term Papers Returned June 8 (Thur) Instructor’s Grades Due
- 12. Phil110 Page 11 Below are the readings for Voices of Wisdom 7th edition. Part 1: Introduction to Philosophy, and Metaphysics Introduction to Philosophy Feb 1 (Wed) (#1) Introductions, Syllabus, Monte Python's Argument Clinic. Introduction to Argument (Argument and Fallacy Packet), and Philosophical banter (How to survive this class.) Feb 8 (Wed) (#2) Argument and Fallacy Packet homework discussion. Film: 12 Angry Men (Parts) Discussion of Film. Introduction to Philosophy (Chapter1). Read pages 3-18 and 26-28. Jan 30-Feb 10 Program Adjustment period. Feb 10 Last day for refund. Last day to drop without a 'W.' Feb 10 Last day to add this class. Feb 13 Census Day Metaphysics Feb 15 (Wed) (#3) Chapter 9: What is Really Real? Sections 9.1 and 9.2. Read pg. 409-421. Chapter 9: Section 9.3. Platonic Dualism. Read pg. 421-430. Feb 22 (Wed) (#4) Quiz: Argument Types and Fallacies. The quiz will be multiple choice. This will be at 7:30 pm after the break. Chapter 9: Section 9.4. Non-Dualism. Read pg. 430-438. Chapter 9: Section 9.5. Subjective Idealism. Read pg. 438-445. March 1 (Wed) (#5) Quiz Returned! Chapter 9: Section 9.6 Pre-Colombian Cosmology. Read pg. 445-451. Film: The Thirteenth Floor. Discussion of Film. March 3 (Friday) Last day for P/NP March 8 (Wed) (#6) Chapter 10: Section 10.1. Read pg. 456-458. Chapter 10: Section 10.3. Blatchford. Read 472-477. Chapter 10: Section 10.4. J.S. Sartre. “We are Free!” Read pg. 477-485.
- 13. Phil110 Page 12 March 15 (Wed) (#7) Assigned reading’s argument due on Standard Form Worksheet. If this is not turned in on time4 then you will receive a '0' on the Term Paper. Chapter 10: Section 9.5 Karma and Freedom. Read pg. 485-489. Chapter 10: Section 9.6. We are both free and Determined. Read pg. 489-502. Film: Groundhog Day, or Stranger than Fiction, or The Truman Show Discussion of Film March 22 (Wed) (#8) Standard Form Worksheet Returned! Read Handout (Chapter 12 from Voices of Wisdom 6th edition.) Topics: The existence of God, The Problem of Evil, and Misogynist Christianity Spring Break No Class March 27 (Monday) to March April 1 (Saturday) April 5 (Wed) (#9) Read Handout (Chapter 12 from Voices of Wisdom 6th edition.) Film: Star Trek: Voyager or Contact. Film Discussion. Topics: The existence of God, The Problem of Evil, and Misogynist Christianity Review for Midterm Exam. April 12 (Wed) (#10) MIDTERM EXAM. Please bring a blue book. Do not put your name on it until I tell you. You will have three hours. Part 2: Epistemology and Ethics Epistemology April 19 (Wed) (#11) Return Midterm Exam Discuss Midterm and Final Exam! Rough Drafts of Term Paper Due. Failure to turn in a rough draft of the term paper on time will result in a '0' on the Term Paper. The means that you will probably fail the class. Please drop accordingly. Chapter 7: Sections 7.1 and 7.2. Is Knowledge Possible? Read pg. 307- 318. Chapter 7: Section 7.3. Is Certainty Possible? Read pg. 318-326. April 26 (Wed) (#12) Rough Draft of Term Papers Returned! Second Rough Draft Assigned! Chapter 7: Section 7.4. Empiricism and Skepticism. Read pg. 326-333. Chapter 7: Section 7.5. Pragmatism. Read pg. 334-342. 4 The phrase 'On time' is defined as 'in the professor's hand before the professor leaves for the evening.' If the professor leaves early and he does not have the worksheet, then it is late and you will receive a '0' on the term paper. Please note that you may turn in the worksheet early. Please talk to the instructor if you are having difficulties in the class.
- 14. Phil110 Page 13 Film: No Film Assigned, No Discussion of Film April 28 (Friday) Last Day to drop this class. Ethics May 3 (Wed) (#13) Second Rough Draft Due! Chapter2: Section 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3. The Buddha, The Middle Way, and Confucius. Read pg. 31-48. Chapter 2: Section 2.4. Plato's The Apology. Read pg. 48-63. May 10 (Wed) (#14) Second Rough Draft Returned! Chapter 2: Section 2.5. Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. Read pg. 63-72. Read Ayn Rand's The Virtue of Selfishness Handout. Reading not in book. Film: Eat Drink Man Woman or Enlightenment Guaranteed, Film Discussion. May 17 (Wed) (#15) Chapter 3: Sections 3.1 and 3.2 Categorical Imperative. Read pg. 80-87. Chapter 3: Section 3.3. J.S. Mill's Utilitarianism. Read pg. 87-95. Natural Law Theory Handout (Aquinas). May 24 (Wed) (#16) Term Paper due in class! Review for Final! Chapter 3: Section 3.5 The Ethic of Care. Read 106-118. Chapter 3: Section 3.6 Moral Relativism. Read 118-125. Film: Star Trek: The Next Generation: Justice or Rebel without a Cause. Discussion of film. May 31 (Wed) Final Exam 6:00-9:00pm. In Room F716 Please bring a blue book. Do not put your name on it until I tell you. Term Papers Returned June 8 (Thursday) Instructor’s Grades Due