PHIL 100:  Introduction to Philosophy

Chaminade University, Fall Evening 2004

 

Catalog Description:  A study of the nature of philosophical thought and methods by examining actual examples from a selection of classical Greek, medieval Christian, and modern European philosophers.  Students will develop an understanding of the ways in which Western culture functions.

 

Instructor:  Joseph Johnson         e-mail:   [email protected]

                                                        office hours:  after class as necessary

 

Class Meeting:  Sat 08:00 – 12:10 (Tripler)

 

Learning Outcomes:

·           use key philosophical terms correctly

·           formulate philosophical theories accurately

·           identify important philosophical implications and consequences.

·           recognize questionable assumptions

·           analyze philosophical issues and questions clearly and precisely

·           reason carefully from stated philosophical premises

 

Instructional Methods:

·           lecture

·           discussion

 

Course Requirements:

·           attendance:  attendance at every class, with no tardiness.  In the event of an absence, student assumes responsibility for all missed material.

·           preparation:  preparation of assigned readings before class.

·           participation: thoughtful contribution to class discussion.

·           exams:          multiple-choice, short answer, and/or short essay quizzes after each section of the course; no makeups for tardiness or unexcused absences.

 

Grading  (A ≥ 90%, B ≥ 80%, C ≥ 70%, D ≥ 60%, F < 60%)

·           exams:          4 quizzes, each worth 25% of grade

·           attendance:  1% off for each hour of unexcused absence

·           preparation/participation:   used for minor adjustments upwards in borderline cases, at instructor’s discretion.

 

Textbook:  Classic Philosophical Questions, 11th Ed., Gould & Mulvaney, Prentice-Hall, 2004.

Philosophy 100:  Syllabus

 

I.                    Philosophy  (Love of Wisdom)

 

·           What is philosophy?  (Plato: 1-2)

·           What is the value of philosophy?  (Russell: 3)

·           What is the best approach to philosophy (Peirce: 4)

Quiz

 

II.                  Epistemology  (Theory of Knowledge)

 

·           What is knowledge?  (Plato: 6)

·           How do we acquire knowledge?  (Descartes: 7)

·           How is truth established?  (Russell: 10, Bradley: 11, James: 12)

·           Can we know the nature of causal relations?  (Hume: 13, 14)

Quiz

 

III.                Metaphysics  (Theory of the Nature of Reality)

 

·           Of what does reality consist?  (Descartes: 15)

·           Is reality general or particular?  (Plato: 19, Hume 20)

·           Do humans have an identical self?  (Hume: 22)

Quiz

 

IV.                Philosophy of Religion

 

·           Can we prove God exists?  (Anselm: 23, Aquinas: 24, Paley: 25)

·           Does the idea of a good God exclude evil?  (Hume: 28, Hick: 29)

Quiz

 

V.                  Ethics

 

·           Are humans always selfish?  (Plato: 34)

·           Which is basic in ethics:  happiness or obligations?  (Aristotle: 36, Bentham: 37, Kant: 38, Sartre: 40)

Quiz