PI900 Introduction To Western Philosophy
Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityPI900 Introduction to Western PhilosophyInstructor:Juan De n:Kenyon CollegeOffice:505 Main BldgOffice Hours:TBDTerm:2 July-2 August, Class Hours Monday through Thursday, 8.30-10.30 amDiscussionSession:Total ContactHours:2 hours each week, conducted by teaching assistant(s)66 contact hours (1 contact hour 45 mins, 3000 mins in total)Main Text:Louis Pojman & Philosophy: The Quest for Truth, 9th edition.Lewis Vaughn Oxford University Press, 2014Required Reading on Electronic Reserve (Readings ER): Required Texts(w/ ISBN):Prerequisite:Descartes, Rene Discourse on Method (Selections) Heidegger, Martin What is Philosophy? Tillich, Paul Biblical Religion and the Search for UltimateReality (Selections) Freud, Sigmund The Future of an Illusion (Selections) Tolstoy, Leo Confessions (Selections) Ventura, Peirce, Nietzsche, “The Fable Nietzsche, “The Madman” N/A1 / 8John“Adrift Charles“The intheSeFixationof theoTrue Wor
Course OverviewThis course attempts to encourage the student to philosophize, not just to studyphilosophical texts. It is then more of an invitation to philosophize than an introduction to thediscipline of philosophy. Introductions seek merely to lay out the structure of a particulardiscipline. We will do that here but more importantly, the course is an invitation to becomephilosophical, not just become a student of the subject.Rather than begin, then, by swimming in the open sea of the inherited concepts,problems, and theories developed in the course of the history of philosophy, we will try touncover and recall those experiences, which issued the concepts, provoked the questions, anddemanded the theories. In this way, the student will hopefully come to see that philosophicalproblems, like all problems, arise from our conflict with experience; that theories are ourattempts to clarify experience, and that each of us participates in the qualities of the humancondition that gave birth to philosophy as a discipline.The questions we will raise in this course have primarily to do with metaphysics,epistemology and ethics. They include questions of mind and matter, being and becoming,reality and appearance, and the value and meaning of life.The readings are selected from classical and contemporary authors. We will read anddiscuss the theories of Plato, Epictetus, Descartes, Heidegger, Peirce, Sartre, Camus, Tolstoy andseveral contemporary authors.Course GoalsThe course has an academic and an existential goal. These goals are related but distinct.Academic goal: The course aims to introduce you to the discipline of philosophy and itsmajor branches: metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics; to provide you with a general introductionto and understanding of philosophical views, issues, and arguments of some of the most importantphilosophers in the history of Western philosophy; to introduce you to some of the central problemsof philosophy such as the existence of God, the mind-body problem, the question of what we canknow, the problem of freedom and determinism, and the question of the meaning of life.Existential Goal: Philosophy, the great philosophers from Plato to Heidegger have said,begins in wonder. My principal goal is to provoke you to wonder about the mystery of lifethrough the reading and discussion of some of the greatest works in the history of WesternPhilosophy.Additional learning materialsLecture Outlines and Handouts on Electronic Reserve (Handouts ER): The Academic Division of the Discipline of Philosophy Plato, DrawingTheofAllegory“of the Cave” Outline of LectureApologyon Plato’s Plato: QuotationsApologyfrom Plato’s Heidegger, Lecture outline of What is Philosophy? “Tillich,Biblical religion & Search for Ultimate Reality” “The Concept of God”2 / 8
“Anselm’s Ontological Argument”“Aristotle Primer”“Aquinas’ Cosmological Arguments”“The Argument from Design Handout”“Cultural Critics of Religion”“Epistemology Handout”“Rorty’s Solidarity or Objectivity Chart”“The Concept of the Soul”“Solutions-Bodyto theProblemMind Chart”“Freedom and Determinism Handout”“Theories of the Good Life Chart”“Outline of Lecture Ethics: How should we l“The Meaningof Life Handout”“Sartre’s Existentialism is a Humanism”Grading PolicyThere will be a midterm, final exam, and a group project. Each will be worth 30% of yourfinal grade. Oral participation and/ office hours discussion will be worth 10%.Here is what I have in mind with respect to the team project. I will divide the class into 2teams of roughly 7 people each. Your team is your discussion group, but it is also your workinggroup for a debate you will present to the class. Each team will be assigned to defend differentpositions on one of the following issues: The existence of God (God exists / God does not exist);The Mind-Body Problem (Human beings are just physical bodies / Human beings are bodieswith souls); Freedom and Determinism (Human beings are just physical bodies whollydetermined by the laws of nature / Human being possess free will); The Meaning of Life (Lifehas meaning / Life is absurd). This will be an opportunity for the class to become a communityof thinkers, and to also to have some fun. Let yourselves go—but remember to convey thecontent of the issues accurately.Grading ScaleNumber 1 59Letter gradeAAB BBC CCDF (Failure)3 / 8GPA4.03.73.33.02.72.32.01.71.00
Class ScheduleDateContentReadingsWEEK 12-Jul1-Introduction:·Reading of Class Roster·Professor’s IntroductionLecture: “What is philosophy, andshould it be studied?”·Go over syllabusWhat is Philosophy?"The source of philosophy is to be soughtin wonder, in doubt, in awhysense of forsakenness. In any case, itbegins with an inner upheaval."--Karl Jaspers3-JulPojman,·Introduction, p. 2-52-What is Philosophy?·“Plato’s Allegory of18-21·Russell, “The Value oLecture: “Philosophy begins in Wonder”Philosophy,”-32p. 211- Christian Wolf’s Academic DivisionReadings ERof the Discipline of Philosophy·Ventura, “Adrift in t2- Plato’s Allegory of the CaveLife”3- History of Western PhilosophyHandouts ER·Academic Division of Philosophy·Plato’s Allegory of tReadings ER·Ventura “Adrift in th(Continued)3-What is Philosophy?4-Jul·Heidegger, What is Philosophy?Handout ERLecture: “Philosophy beginsin Wonder”·OutlineofWhatHeidegger’isPhilosophy?4 / 8
4-What is Philosophy?Lecture: “Self-knowledge andphilosophy as5-JulPojman·Plato’sApology, p.6-18a way of life”Handouts ER·Outline of Lecture onThe Enigma of BeingApology·QuotationsApologyfrom Plato"The question of being is the darkest inall philosophy. All of us arebeggars here."--William JamesWEEK 29-Jul10-Jul11-Jul5- The Question of BeingReadings ERLecture: “Philosophy and·Religion:Tillich’s,Biblical ReligionTwoand theSides of the Same SearchCoin”for Ultimate RealityHandouts ER·Outline of Lecture on Tillich6- God and the Meaning of BeingPojmanThe confrontation with such questions as,"Why does the universe exist? Why does ·Introduction, p.53-58something exist rather than nothing?·St. Anselm and Gaunilo: TheWhy do I exist? Do I exist for someOntological Argument, p. 100-103purpose, and, if so, how am I to discover ·William Rowe, “An Anait?" Does God exist? Can religiousthe Ontological-114 Argumenclaims be rationally supported?Lecture: “The Concept of·GodThomasand Aquinas, “TheAttempted Proofs forWays,”God’s-62 p. Existence”58Handouts ER·Outline of Lecture: “of God”·Anselm’s Ontological7-Arguments for the Existence of GodPojmanQuestions we will consider: Does the·Thomas Aquinas, “TheGod of the Judeo-Christian-IslamicWays,”-62 p. 58tradition exist? Are there arguments that·Paul Edwards, “A Critprove God’s existence?Cosmological Argument,” p.-89 80Lecture: “Aquinas’Arguments”CosmologicalHandouts ER5 / 8
·An Aristotle Primer·Outline of Aquinas’ CArguments8-Arguments for the Existence of GodPojmanLecture: “Paley’s Teleological·William Paley, “The WArgument for the Existencethe Watchmaker, p. 90-92of God”12-Jul·David Hume, :A Critique of theTeleological -100Argument,”Handouts ER·“The Argument from DeWEEK 316-JulReadings ER·Nietzsche, “The Fable9-Arguments against the Existence of World”God·Nietzsche, “The Madma·Freud, The Future of an Illusion(Selections)Lecture: “Cultural Critiques of ReligionHandout ERand the Existence of God”*The Existence of God Class Debate·“Cultural Critiques oFeuerbach, Marx, Freud,10- ****Mid Term Examination****17-Jul18-JulMetaphysics11-What is a Human Being?The Mind –Body ProblemAre human beings bodies with minds oris the mind ultimately reducible to thebody? Dualistic theories hold that humanbeings are bodies with minds and that thebody and the mind are two distinctsubstances. Monistic theories deny thatthe body and mind are two distinctsubstances. Materialism (orPhysicalism), for example, claims thatwhat we call mental events, are really justphysical events of the body. We are justbodies and nothing more. Which view istrue?6 / 8Pojman·Introduction, p.287-291·Rene Descartes, “SubstanceDualism,”-291 p. 288·Paul Churchland, “OnFunctionalism andMater330Handouts ER·Outline of Lecture “Tof Soul Lecture”·“The -BodyMind Problem”
19-JulLecture: “What is Human·“ChartNature:of Solutions tIntroduction to theMind/bodyMind/BodyProblem”Problem”12-What is a Human Being?PojmanLecture:“The Mystery· ofThomas Nagel, “What iConsciousness”be a Bat?”-349p. 341·David Chalmers, “PropDualism,”-362p.360WEEK 413-What is a Human Being?Freedom and DeterminismLecture: The Problem of Freedom oduction, p. 393-399·Baron d’Holbach, “We areCompletely Determined,”-405Questions we will consider: Is knowledge ·W. T. Stace, “Compatiof reality possible, and, if so, what are the 437-443methods for obtaining it? Is certitude inHandouts ERthe pursuit of knowledge possible? What ·Outline of Lecture “Tis the nature of truth?of Freedom and DeterminPojman·Introduction, p. 195-19814-Epistemology: What do we know?·Rene Descartes, “Cartesian Douand the Search for FoundationalKnowledge,”-204p. 198Readings ER·Descartes, Discourse on Method(Selections)Lecture: What do we know and how dowe know it?Handouts ER·“Outline of Descarteson Method”15-Epistemology: The Nature of Belief Readings ER·Peirce, “The Fixation·Rorty,“Dismantling16-Epistemology: Dismantling ofSolidarity VersusObjecKnowledge255Ethics: How Should I live?Handouts ER·“Rorty’s Solidarity oChart”Epistemology7 / 8
WEEK 517-Ethics: How Should I live?30-JulLecture: “How Should31-Jul18- How Should I live?Pojman·Introduction, p. 458-461·Ruth Benedict, “MoralRelative,”-467p.462·Aristotle, “The Ethicp. 521-531WeHandoutsLive?”EROutline of “Ethics: Howlive?” lecture.·Epictetus, “Stoicism:Enchiridion,” p.-642 633·Sartre, “Existentiali560-567Handouts ER·“Sartre’s ExistentialHumanism”·“Theories of the GoodThe Meaning/ Purpose/ Value of lifePojman·Introduction, p. 625-626·Albert Camus, “Life i642-647Handouts ERLecture:“What is the Meaning/Outline of Lecture: What is thePurpose/ Value of ·life”Meaning/Purpose/Value oPojman·Louis Pojman, “ReligiMeaning to-659Life,” p. 6520-The Meaning of LifeReadings ER·Leo Tolstoy, Confessions19- The Meaning/ Purpose/ Value oflife1-Aug2-Aug**Final Examination**8 / 8
Descartes, Rene Discourse on Method . Cosmological Argument,” p. 80-89 Lecture: “Aquinas’ Cosmological Arguments” Handouts ER . 6 / 8 · An Aristotle Primer · Outline of Aquinas’ Cosmological Arguments 12-Jul 8-Arguments for the Existence of God Pojman Lecture .
metaphysics and for St. Thomas Aquinas. For an understanding of the Western metaphysics we need to look into the history of the western philosophy. The history will be, in this section, with an emphasis on metaphysics. Metaphysics was ‗the philosophy' from the ancient Greek philosophy which is the ground for Western philosophy.
Language, Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Logic, Philosophy of Mathematics o Area II: Ethics, Political Philosophy, Aesthetics History requirement: Three seminars in the history of western philosophy, one each from . 5 By the first Friday after mid-semester break of the student's fourth semester, the student will .
HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY I: ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY Shellbourne Conference Center, July MMX Professor John Gueguen This course explores the thinkers and doctrines of classical Greek and Roman philosophy from its emergence in the VIII century B.C. to its early contacts with Christianity. To understand why and how philosophy came into
Philosophy 1 Philosophy Bachelor of Arts (BA) The Department of Philosophy offers an undergraduate major in Philosophy leading to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Declaring the Major Go to 314 Moses Hall (Philosophy Department office). Fill out a Declaration of Major form. Submit to the Student Affairs Officer in 314 Moses.
philosophy with other majors, students can now choose a particular focus for their philosophy degree course—by taking more philosophy courses dealing with value questions and the arts, for instance, or more philosophy courses deal-continued on page 2 Oberlin Philosophy Summer 2013, Volume 3 by Katherine !omson-Jones W
A Hundred Years of British Philosophy. and. Recent Philosophers. G. J. Warnock, English Philosophy Since 1900. Robert Solomon, Continental Philosophy Since 1750, (in bookstore), Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Week of Jan. 11 Topic I: Enlightenment Philosophy Locke Stumpf 263-274 Primary Sources K 164-202 Jan. 18 (2 days) Jan. 25 Berkeley Hume 274 .
While philosophy is, among contemporary academic disciplines, unique in containing its own history as a subspeciality, that history is too often focused on the history of . Asian philosophy; Indian Philosophy; African philosophy, etc. European philosophy is just "philosophy," the unmarked, privileged case, the "core" as it is sometimes put. 6 .
Std. XII : Commerce Adjustments for Reserve Fund, Partner’s Loan Account, Asset taken over by Partner and Contingent Liability *Q.5. A, B and C were partners sharing profits and losses in the ratio of 3 : 2 : 1. On 31st March, 2010, their Balance Sheet was as follows: Balance Sheet as on 31st March, 2010 Liabilities Amount Assets Amount Sundry Creditors 15400 Cash at Bank 3,500 Bills .
