SYLLABUS

Introduction to Philosophy

Phil A201, section 001 Spring 2013

William Jamison

THEME: Introduces works of influential thinkers, both ancient and modern, in the Western philosophical tradition. Emphasizes central problems of knowledge, reality, and good and evil.

Special Note:  This page links to other pages on my web site that are an important part of the syllabus. Students should select those links to become familiar with the other elements of the syllabus. On following a link a page will state that it is part of the syllabus if it is. Other links are supplied as resources for students that are interested in taking advantage of them, but if they are not specifically noted as part of the syllabus it is up to the student to pursue them or not. The purpose of this is to simplify the main page of the syllabus while supplying supplementary information as necessary or to enrich the experience of taking the course.

TEXTS:

Philosophic Classics: From Plato to Derrida, Forrest Baird and Walter Kaufmann.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Course grades are based on:

 Exams - 50% - nine essays showing an understanding of the materials covered in class and the assigned readings in response to questions, each with a minimum of 300 words,

 25% of the grade will be based on a term project. 

 Response to quiz questions posed in each lecture -25%.

CLASS: Hours: TR 8:30 A – 9:45 A Room Admin 148 

Attendance Policy

According to the UAA Academic Catalog (p.63), a student who fails to
attend class within the first seven calendar days of the semester is
eligible for a faculty-initiated withdrawal.  Due to the number of
students wanting to enroll in this course, this policy will be
strictly enforced.  Absences will be excused for students engaged in
official university business (athletics, debate team, performing arts,
etc.) and for documented medical reasons.  If you will be absent for
either of these allowed reasons for the first week of class, it is
your responsibility to contact me with documentation before I withdraw
you from the course.

OFFICE: See my Current Schedule.

Phone: 786-4458 (office) or 694-1023 (home- please no calls after 8P), Philosophy Department Secretary 786-4455. The best way to get a message to me is via e-mail. My web page is located at http://wsjamison.uaa.alaska.edu and my e-mail address is wsjamison@UAA.ALASKA.EDU. All tests and the term paper should be turned in using e-mail. This syllabus on my web site has links to other sources for many of the texts for the philosophers we will discuss. Some of the links include wonderful web pages on the various philosophers.

January 15: This lecture includes an introduction to the course and description of course requirements. We will discuss: the purpose of doing philosophy, the course readings as an "all you can eat buffet", and what the tests and quizzes will be like. Society in prehistory, mythology, water and civilization. The first philosophers, Thales and water. 

January 17: Be prepared to discuss the Apology pages 21-37. Try comparing the text with my version: what was Socrates' message to us? A major part of this topic will be Socrates, his life and mission. To read about Alcibiades check Plutarch. His relationship with Socrates is very interesting.

January 22: The Meno pages 58 - 82. Plato's Republic -- highlights from pages 82 - 142. The topic of this lecture will be Plato and Idealism.

January 24: Focus will be Plato and his theories of knowledge and justice.

January 29: Aristotle, his life and work. Be prepared to discuss Realism. Read over pages 143 - 184 for general familiarity.

January 31: The topic will be Aristotle's Ethics and Politics. Be prepared to discuss Ethics - moderation and the good life. Read pages 185 - 243.

February 5: This lecture topic is Greek thought after Aristotle. Be prepared to discuss Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Plotinus. Read pages 245 - 280.

February 7: The topic of this lecture will be Jesus, Paul and Christianity - and pages 281 - 285.

February 12: (Lincoln's Birthday) Augustine: Relation of Philosophy and Faith. Read over 287 - 315. First exam given. Take this link to exam one.

February 14 (Valentine's Day): First Exam due. Anselm pages 322 - 330 as one example of the early Medievalists. Proof that God exists. Hildegaard von Bingen as another example pages 331 - 337.

February 19: This lecture focuses on later Medieval Philosophy, the rise and problems of Aristotelianism. Thomas Aquinas and the dogmatic solution. Be prepared to discuss pages 345 - 378.

February 21: Descartes "I think..." Be prepared to discuss pages 393 - 446. This is the start of Rationalism.

February 26: Hobbes "Dog eat dog world" Be prepared to discuss pages 447 - 488. British Empiricism versus European Rationalism.

February 28: Spinoza - This lecture looks at the arguments that lead to Pantheism. Be prepared to discuss pages 498 - 551.

March 5: Locke, Democracy - Jefferson. Be prepared to discuss pages 552 - 608.  Tabula Raza, primary and secondary qualities will be the first focus for this lecture. Second exam given Second exam. Take this link to exam two.

March 7: Second exam due This lecture will focus on Leibniz - Monadology "Best of all possible worlds." Be prepared to discuss pages 609 – 648. You may also be interested in Anne Conway and the ideas she gave to Leibniz. Leibniz and Stephen Hawking - What's a Quark?

March 11 - 15: Spring Break No classes

March 19: Berkeley - Idealism This lecture topic is Bishop Berkeley's arguments against the concept of material substance. To be is to be perceived - if a tree falls... All in the mind of God. Be prepared to discuss pages 649 - 710.

March 21: Hume - Skeptic of skeptics. This lecture covers David Hume's empirical argument against metaphysics. Who am I? Communitarian Ethics. Be prepared to discuss pages 711 - 790.

March 26: Kant - This lecture looks at Kant's answer to Hume concerning the a priori. Can Rationalism and Empiricism be partners? Duty and the categorical imperative. Be prepared to discuss pages 803 - 921.

This syllabus may be adjusted at any time to meet the class or instructor’s requirements upon one week’s notice to students.