Introduction to Philosophy
Dr. Michael Sudduth
Spring 2004, Capital
Community College
Office Information Contact
Information
Office:
TBA msudduth@comcast.net
Office
Hours: By Appointment (Best way to reach me!)
Course
Information:
Philosophy 101, M/W 11:30am-12:50pm (Room #1022)
Website: http://www.homestead.com/mscourses/
(Click on Introduction to
Philosophy – In Session for the course web page)
1.
Course Description and
Objectives
"The
unexamined life is not worth living" - Socrates
This course is called
“Introduction to Philosophy.” It might
also be called Introduction to Philosophical Problems since the course is about
problems of a particular sort, philosophical problems. A "problem" is
the result of two (apparently) incompatible "answers" that are given
to a particular "question." A philosophical
problem, then, is the result of two (apparently) incompatible philosophical answers given to a
particular kind of question, a philosophical
question. This course is just as much an introduction to philosophical
questions as it is to philosophical problems.
The word
"philosophy" literally means "the love of wisdom." As a
very rough approximation philosophy may be understood as an activity of critical self-reflection or self-examination. More
specifically, it is the activity of reflecting, in a particular way, on a range
of very fundamental questions human persons ask about the world and themselves:
What is real? What is the purpose to life? What is the good? What is truth? Is
there a God? These are examples of philosophical questions. Philosophical
problems are generated when apparently incompatible answers are given to these
sorts of questions. One of the tasks of philosophy is to resolve such
conflicts, or at least attempt to do so.
Most of our ordinary, every day beliefs assume some stance toward
philosophical questions. All of us hold, even if unconsciously, many philosophical
presuppositions. Typically we are not
aware of them. Uncovering them is another task of philosophy. Since these presuppositions constitute an
important dimension to the way an individual views the world, philosophy is in
fact a way of reflecting on oneself. Doing philosophy, then, is not only an
examination of ideas but it is an activity of self-examination. We might say that philosophy involves a
critical reflection on one's perspective.
In this process we seek to get as clear as possible about very
fundamental ideas and beliefs, draw out their logical implications, and
evaluate viewpoints in terms of their rational acceptability. One of the consequences of such an activity
is a sharpening of one's perspective and reasoning abilities, as well as a
development of self-understanding.
The central goal in this
course is to acquire a basic understanding of philosophy and cultivate the
habit of philosophizing. We will aim at this goal by way of three others:
·
Achieve
an understanding of the main ideas in the course texts and how these
texts relate to each other as philosophical texts.
·
Critically
discuss the questions, concepts, and arguments articulated in the class
texts.
·
Apply
the concepts of the texts to at least one film presentation.
2.
Course Readings and
Structure
We will read the following
texts in this class: Plato, “Allegory of the Cave” (from Plato’s Republic);
Plato, The Meno; Rene Descartes, Meditations;
and Soren Kierkegaard, Johannes Climacus. The first reading discusses
reality and appearances. The second work is a dialogue about the nature of
virtue and intellectual inquiry.
Descartes is the father of modern philosophy and his work focuses on the
search for certainty and the foundations of human knowledge. The final work by Kierkegaard critically
engages the central ideas of Plato and Descartes.
You must purchase Plato, Protagoras and Meno,
Descartes, Meditations, and Kierkegaard, Johannes Climacus. I will provide a photocopy of Plato’s
“Allegory of the Cave.”
You may purchase these books at the college
bookstore or alternatively through
In the event that you purchase the books through
B&N or Amazon, please use the following publication information to locate
the proper translation and edition of the book.
Plato, Protagoras and Meno (Penguin Books)
(ISBN 0-14-044-068-2)
Descartes, Discourse on Method and Meditations on
First Philosophy (Hackett Publishers), 3rd or 4th
edition (0-87220-172-4). The Penguin edition of this book is acceptable (ISBN
0-14-044206-5).
Kierkegaard, Johannes Climacus, trans. T.H.
Croxall (Serpent’s Tail, 2001), (ISBN 1-85242-669-1)
Direct Link to Publisher: http://www.serpentstail.com/
The course will revolve largely around the
discussion of these three texts. We
will also watch at least one film that will allow us to apply course concepts
to dramatic situations. The first film
will be American Beauty, which we will watch and discuss during weeks
three and four.
3. Main Components of the Course
Readings: The course will demand a good deal of your time, not
merely in the way of reading but in the way of thinking and writing. It is
crucial that you keep up on the readings. Buy the required texts as soon as
possible. Although most reading assignments are not excessive in length, they
will be challenging in content. You should expect to read material more than
once to get a proper understanding. Be ready to discuss the readings when you
come to class. It may be helpful to
write down any text inspired questions that come to you while reading. Feel free to e-mail me if you have questions
about the readings.
Also, handouts and study questions will be available
on the class website accessible through the course homepage at: http://mscourses.homestead.com/introtophilosophy_fall2003.html
It will be important for all students to check this
website on a weekly basis for any updates.
Participation: Your participation grade is
based on your consistent verbal engagement with your fellow classmates and the
professor. This includes classroom discussion and small group activities.
Adequate participation also requires that you bring your book to class and that
your contributions be related to the text or topic at hand. I will also
frequently call on students. If you appear unprepared I will take note of this.
If you want full credit at the end of the semester, the matter is quite simple:
impress me and prove that your mind and body are both in and into the course.
Short Writing Assignments: There will be periodic
short writing assignments about 1-2 pages in length. These papers must be typed
and I will accept them only in class on the day they are due.
Exams: There will be two exams during the semester, a
mid-term and a final exam. The precise nature of these exams will be announced
later in the semester. Only under
extra-ordinary circumstances will students be permitted to make up an exam.
Students arriving late to class on an exam day may forfeit taking the exam.
They will not be given extra-time.
Summary of Assignments and
Grading:
Participation:
25%
Short
Writing Assignments: 20%
Mid-Term Exam: 25%
Final Exam: 30%
Classroom
Demeanor: Respect. It is crucial that everyone
respect the classroom as a learning environment. Be in class and on time. Be courteous to professor and fellow
classmates when they are speaking. In
addition to helping others, this is the best way to maximize your chances for
success in the class. Students who disrupt the class will be
warned only once about their behavior and then terminated upon subsequent
infractions. Disrupting the class
includes rudeness to professor or fellow students, chit-chat while others are
speaking in class, noise or bodily movement that distracts professor or
students (and this includes packing up before class has officially ended). Turn
off all cell phones before coming to class! Absences
and tardiness will negatively affect
your participation grade and work in the class. Students are responsible for any material and assignments missed
due to absence or tardiness. If you are not present, you are obviously missing
classroom lecture and discussion, and others will miss out on your contribution
to the course. Any student who misses more than two consecutive classes will be
automatically withdrawn from the course, unless the student has contacted the
professor concerning absences. Any
student who misses more than four class total will also be automatically
withdrawn from the course, unless the student has contacted the professor
concerning absences. I will not tolerate slackers.
Academic Dishonesty: Any writing assignment you
hand in must be your own work prepared for this class. All students are
responsible for understanding the college’s position on plagiarism, and this
includes knowing what constitutes plagiarism. When in doubt, ask the
professor. Any papers that commit
plagiarism will result in an automatic F for the paper and the course. Similarly, any student who commits an act of
academic dishonesty in relation to any portion of any exam will receive an
automatic “F” for the exam and the course.
4. Course
Calendar (Tentative)
Week 1
January 21 (W): Orientation
Week 2
January
26 (M): Plato, “Allegory of the Cave” continued
January
29 (W): Plato, “Allegory of the Cave” continued
Week 3
February 2 (M): Film: American Beauty (Part I)
February 4 (W): Film: American Beauty (Part
II)
Week 4
February 9 (M): Discussion on film and Allegory of the
Cave
February 11 (W): Plato, Meno (pp. 115-123)
Week 5
February 16 (M): NO CLASS (Presidents’ Day)
February 18 (W): Plato, Meno (pp. 123-139)
Week 6
February 23 (M): Plato, Meno (pp. 123-139
continued)
February 25 (W): Plato, Meno (pp. 139-152)
Week 7
March 1 (M): Plato, Meno (pp. 152-157 continued)
March 3 (W): Summary Discussion of Meno
Week 8
March 8 (M):
Summary Discussion of Meno
March
10 (W): Mid-Term
Week 9
March 15 (M): NO CLASS (Spring Break)
March 17 (W): NO CLASS (Spring Break)
March 22 (M): Descartes Lecture
March 24 (W): Descartes, Meditations on First
Philosophy, Meditation I
March 29 (M): Descartes, Meditations on First
Philosophy, Meditation I
March 31 (W): Descartes Meditations on First
Philosophy, Meditation II
Week 12
April 5 (M): Descartes, Meditations on First
Philosophy, Meditation II
April 7 (W): Descartes, Meditations on First
Philosophy, Meditation III
April 12 (M): Descartes, Meditations on First
Philosophy, Meditation III
April
14 (W): Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy, Meditation IV
April
19 (M): Lecture on Modern Philosophy
April
21(W): Soren Kierkegaard, Johhanes Climacus (pages TBA)
April
26 (M): Soren Kierkegaard, Johannes Climacus (pages TBA)
April
28 (W): Soren Kierkegaard, Johannes Climacus (pages TBA)
Week
16:
May
3 (M): Soren Kierkegaard, Johannes Climacus (pages TBA)
May
5 (W): Reflections on Plato, Descartes,
and Kierkegaard
Week
17:
May
10 (M): Last Day of Class
May ____ ( ): Final Exam