Introductionto PhilosophyIntroduction

to Philosophy

Instructor:Darren Hudson HickSKN 1106 Office Hours: Tu/Th 2:00-3:00pm

Teaching Assistants:Michael Cifone0104, 0106, 0107 SKN 1108B Office Hours: TBD

Wesley VanCamp0101, 0108, 0109 SKN 1107D Office Hours: Tu 1:30-3:30

Lisa Leininger0102, 0103, 0105SKN 1121 Office Hours: Fr 1:30-3:30

Course OverviewAn introduction to the principles, concepts, methods, and applications of Western philosophy, dealing with such topics as the value of philosophy, the meaning of life, the existence of God, the nature of the world and our knowledge of it, and approaches to ethical problems.

Course Goals1. To familiarize you with some of the core areas of Western

analytic philosophy, including theories, arguments, counter-arguments, and applications.

2. To help you to develop your ability to rationally evaluate, understand, and construct arguments in these core areas and elsewhere.

“What Am I Getting Myself Into?”

Philosophy

Phil100 Phil170 Phil140

“What Am I Getting Myself Into?”

LogicMetaphysicsEpistemologyEthicsAestheticsPolitical PhilosophyPhilosophy of ReligionPhilosophy of MindPhilosophy of SciencePhilosophy of LanguagePhilosophy of Mathematics

• Objects and Properties• Personal Identity• Space and Time• Normative Ethics

• Metaethics• Applied Ethics

• Philosophy of Physics• Philosophy of Biology• Philosophy of Chemistry

Western vs. Eastern Philosophy

Analytic vs. Continental Philosophy

First Paper: 20%Second Paper: 25%

Mid-term Exam: 20%Final Exam: 25%

Quizzes: 10%100%

Course Requirements• Term Papers• Exams• Quizzes

Late Papers & Absences

Special Accommodations

Classroom Courtesy

Academic Integrity

Course Textbook$69.11 (+$16.50) on Amazon.com$73.95 (+$16.50) on Barnesandnoble.comOther Readings

Class Schedule• Materials must be read before the day for which they are listed.• Readings may be subject to change.

01/29/07 Introduction01/31/07 Arguments02/05/08-02/07/08 Why Philosophy?02/12/08-02/14/08 The Meaning of Life02/19/08-02/28/08 The Existence of God03/04/08-03/13/08 The World & Our Knowledge of It03/17/08-03/21/08 Spring Break03/25/08 Mid-Term Exam

03/27/08-04/08/08 The World & Our Knowledge of It04/10/08-04/15/08 Ethics: Utilitarianism04/17/08-04/22/08 Ethics: Kantian Ethics04/24/08-04/29/08 Ethics: Virtue Ethics05/01/08-05/08/08 Ethics: Subjectivism & Relativism05/13/08 Exam Review

Final Exam