Introduction to Philosophy

PHL 101-03

CRN: 91331 Fall, 2005

Reading and assignments

Syllabus Date: 08/24/2005
Generated from: syllabus.xml via semester_assignments_to_html.xsl
Printed at: FCS, Ann Arbor, MI
INSTRUCTOR : Mike Fedel
TELEPHONE : (734) 998-0360
E-MAIL ADDRESS : mfedela2@aol.com
OFFICE HOURS : Office hours are after class and by appointment. Each afternoon after class, I will be available in the Student Center for any consultations or follow-up.

Meeting number 1, Friday, August 26
Introduction: Plato and the Buddha Class plan:

The first meeting basically lets the students and teacher meet each other. We'll talk about the goals for the course and do some preliminary investigations into the subject of philosophy.

We'll read two major pieces: Plato's "Myth of the Cave" and the "First Discourse of the Buddha" in class and discuss them. We will also read some biographical material about both Plato and the Buddha.

Meeting number 2, Friday, September 2
No Class Today - school closed

Meeting number 3, Friday, September 9
History of Philosophy / What are we doing in this class? Preparation: Kessler : Ch. 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 , pages=all Deliverables:

[Assignment 1] Write and submit a one-page paper answering one of the following questions:

Can the absolute truth ever be really known? Think of things like: how did the world begin? Is someone telling me the truth? Am I really going to grade you based on what kind of work you do or just whether or not I like you?
Why are we here? Human beings that is. Why would there need to be a conscious type of being in the universe?
Can philosophy truly answer these questions or is its job something else?

[Questions 1] Bring two questions we can discuss in class.

Class plan:

What is Philosophy? How does Kessler view it? How do you view it? Be prepared with some comments about the discipline and your understanding of it before and after reading Kessler.

Meeting number 4, Friday, September 16
How Should One Live? Preparation: Kessler : Ch. 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.7 , pages=all Deliverables:

[Assignment 2] Write and submit one-page answering the question of your choice from any 2 of the readings.

[Questions 2] Bring two questions we can discuss in class.

Class plan:

The beginning of thinking about Ethics. How should I live? We often think about ethics in terms of "how do I want other people to behave toward me", but this section is a little more personal.

Meeting number 5, Friday, September 23
How Can I Know What Is Right? Preparation: Kessler : Ch. 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5 , pages=all Deliverables:

[Assignment 3] Write and submit a page of your own personal comments on any one of the readings.

[Questions 3] Bring two questions we can discuss in class.

Class plan:

A discussion of some of the major ethical theories in the Western world, plus an investigation of Confucianism.

Meeting number 6, Friday, September 30
Knowledge - is it Possible? Preparation: Kessler : Ch. 6.1, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7 Deliverables:

[Assignment 4] Write and submit a page of your own personal comments on and reaction to any two of the readings.

[Questions 4] Bring two questions we can discuss in class.

Class plan:

Epistemology: what can we know, how much proof do we need before we can confidently say we know sometime? We will look at some major ideas about the subject, including Descartes' famous "I think, therefore I am" meditation.

Meeting number 7, Friday, October 7
Metaphysics - What is "Real"? Preparation: Kessler : Ch. 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 Deliverables:

[Assignment 5] Write and submit one-page answering the following questions: p.369 #7, p.378 #6, p.395 #6

[Questions 5] Bring two questions we can discuss in class.

Class plan:

Some classic ideas on "what is Real?" including Plato, Berkeley and the Tao.

Meeting number 8, Friday, October 14
Metaphysics - the Self Preparation: Kessler : Ch. 6.3 (review, you've already read this one), 11.2, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3,10.4, 10.5 Deliverables:

[Assignment 6] Select one question from each of three of the readings and answer them in about 1 page each.

[Questions 6] Bring two questions we can discuss in class.

Class plan:

What am I? Who am I? Do I exist? Some readings including a classic reading from Descartes in which he decides he does and a Buddhist consideration that concludes we do not.

Meeting number 9, Friday, October 21
Metaphysics - The Social Self and The Free Will Debate Preparation: Kessler : Ch. 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, 9.1, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5 Deliverables:

[Assignment 7] Write and submit one page with your comments on the idea that our identify is socially defined.

[Questions 7] Bring two questions we can discuss in class.

Class plan:

More readings on the self. First, a pair of readings on the subject of Identity: is it something I have or is it a social contruct? Then, some readings on the free will debate.

Meeting number 10, Friday, October 28
Justice - What Makes a Society Just? Preparation: Kessler : Ch. 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 Deliverables:

[Assignment 8] Write and submit answers to the following questions: p.134 #7, p.143 #5, p. 153 #7

[Questions 8] Bring two questions we can discuss in class.

Class plan:

Considerations of the idea of Justice: what is it? What might a just system look like?

Meeting number 11, Friday, November 4
Is Justice for All Possible? Preparation: Kessler : Ch. 4.6, 4.7, 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6 Deliverables:

[Assignment 9] Write and submit answers to the following questions: p.184 #9, p.204 #2, p.235 #1

[Questions 9] Bring two questions we can discuss in class.

Class plan:

Considerations of the idea of Justice: what is it? What might a just system look like?

Meeting number 12, Friday, November 11
Does God Exist and What Is She Like? Preparation: Kessler : Ch. 12.1, 12.2, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6 , pages=all Deliverables:

[Assignment 10] Write a page of your comments on and reaction to one of the following:

Mary Daly
Pojman and the Problem of Evil

[Questions 10] Bring two questions we can discuss in class.

Class plan:

The concept of God is often used as a starting point for discussions of ethics, cosmology, and other branches of philosophy. The concept of a supreme or absolute being or power is present in most cultures. These readings consider some arguments about the existence and nature of God. We'll discuss the three major proofs for the existence of God: the Ontological, the Teleological, and the Cosmological Arguments.

Once we've decided whether or not God exists(!), we'll discuss God's nature a bit.

Meeting number 13, Friday, November 18
Ishmael Preparation: Quinn : Ch. all Deliverables:

[Assignment 11] Write a page on your reaction to the book. In it answer one of the following questions:

What is the difference between a 'taker' and a 'leaver'?
How does he use the story of Cain and Abel to make a point?
What solution does he offer?
What is the Taker Thunderbolt?

[Questions 11] Bring two questions we can discuss in class.

Class plan:

Quinn interprets human history in a way you might find very different and challenging. Read the first 11 chapters, take a break and write some notes, then read the rest.

Meeting number 14, Friday, November 25
No Class Today - school closed

Meeting number 15, Friday, December 2
Final Examination Preparation: Review our assignments and your notes on the class presentations. Review your quizzes. Class plan:

Final examination, cumulative.

Meeting number 16, Friday, December 9
Student Presentations - day 1 Class plan:

First of 2 days of final student presentations.

Meeting number 17, Friday, December 16
Student Presentations - day 2 Class plan:

Second of 2 days of final student presentations.