PHILOSOPHY 101

Introduction to Philosophy I

Dr. Donald R. Gregory

Office: CM 362

Phone: 323-3271

OBJECTIVES:

This course attempts to demonstrate the nature of philosophical questions and the differences between philosophy and all other academic disciplines. We will see how philosophy asks questions about the assumptions we normally make in order to get on with our daily business. We will do this through readings, videotapes, class discussions, and most importantly through careful reflection upon the nature of philosophy. In the course of our work we will have occasion to examine the philosophical thought of sev eral time periods from ancient to contemporary.

TEXTS

Cornford, The Republic of Plato

Descartes, Meditations On First Philosophy

Plato, Euthyphro, Apology, Crito

NOTE: Internet links below are to public-domain translations of these works. While the translations are slightly different, these links may be used as desired.

GRADING

All students will be required to take three closed-book examinations, each of which will count 1/3 of the course grade. The examinations will consist of a combination of multiple-choice and essay questions. Class attendance is essential for the success o f the course and the experience of philosophizing. In addition, examination questions will be taken from matters discussed in class, many of which are not covered in the readings.The college's Honor Code, as specified in the Student Handbook, will be enfo rced.

COURSE SYLLABUS (Reading assignments are given by unit.)

UNIT ONE: WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?

Definitions of philosophy will be examined, and the difference(s) between philosophy and all other fields will be considered. We will take a close look at Socrates, considered by many to be the greatest of all philosophers. The character and opinions of the man, as well as his reasons for believing what he did, will be discussed. The greatest of all philosophical questions--"What is Truth"-- will be examined in some detail.

Readings: Plato book: Apology (Follow "next section" links to read entire Apology), Crito

UNIT TWO: PLATO: METAPHYSICS AND EPISTEMOLOGY

Alfred North Whitehead, a well-known 20th century philosopher, once said that all of philosophy is a series of footnotes to Plato. Our goal in this unit, simply stated, is to try to appreciate the sense in which this is true. We will examine Plato's v iews about reality (metaphysics) and knowledge (epistemology). In particular, we will read much of Plato's Republic, in which his views on many subjects come together in the discussion of the ideal society.

Readings: Cornford, pp. 1-63; 119-141; 175-235.

UNIT THREE: DESCARTES: THE FATHER OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY

Rene Descartes (1596-1650) asked the questions which set the stage for both modern philosophy and modern science: What can we know for certain? How can we know it? What is the sort of existence humans possess? In this unit we will follow Descartes' philo sophical journey from doubt to certainty.

Readings: Descartes, pp. 16-33; 74.

UNIT FOUR: An Enduring Question: Are We Free?

Are humans the product of forces they cannot control, or are they free agents, able at least sometimes to make their own choices? In this unit we will see how philosophy has dealt with this question; we will sample both ancient and modern approaches.

Readings: Sophocles, Oedipus Rex (any translation; a few copies are on reserve; click on title for internet link); Jean-Paul Sartre, "Existentialism is a Humanism," in W. Kaufmann (ed.), Existentialism From Dostoevsky to Sartre (on reserve)

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Class attendance will be taken on a regular basis, and is a course requirement. Attendance at examinations is mandatory. If for a very serious reason, a student is unable to take an examination on schedule, the instructor mus t be notified as far in advance as possible, and in no case later than the day of the examination. A grade of "F" for the examination missed will be given to anyone who does not meet this requirement.

WITHDRAWALS: The only people who will be "automatically" withdrawn from the class by the instructor will be "no-shows," those whose names are on the roll and who never attended class. Anyone who has attended class even one time and who wants to withdraw must initiate the withdrawal following college policy. Those who simply stop attending class without formally withdrawing will receive a grade of "F" for all graded material missed.