Rene Descartes

Aristotle
 
Syllabus for Philosophy 251: Introduction to Philosophy (Honors)
Fall 2001, Dr. Stephen H. Daniel

o

Introduction to Philosophy develops problem-solving and critical-thinking skills by examining discussions about reality, knowledge, God, freedom, and the nature of ethical and political beliefs.

Text: Questions That Matter, 4th ed. (1996) by Ed L. Miller.  Chapters listed below should be read before each class.

Class date Topic Reading Assignment (Miller Text)
Aug. 28 Introduction
Aug. 30 What is Philosophy? Chapter One
Sept. 4 Pre-Socratics Chapter Three (Note: skip Ch. 2)
Sept. 6 Socrates/Plato/Aristotle Chapter Four
Sept. 11 Mind and Matter Chapter Five
Sept. 13 Idealism Chapter Six
Sept. 18 Materialism and Freedom Chapter Seven
Sept. 20 Test 1
Sept. 25 Skepticism Chapter Eight
Sept. 27 Rationalism Chapter Nine
Oct. 2 Empiricism Chapter Ten
Oct. 4 (No class) (University convocation)
Oct. 9 Certainty and Kant Chapter Eleven
Oct. 11 God: Cosmological argument Chapter Twelve, pp. 275-90
Oct. 16 God: Teleological argument Chapter Twelve, pp.290-307
Oct. 18 God: Ontological and moral arguments Chapter Thirteen
Oct. 23 Religious experience Chapter Fourteen
Oct. 25 God and evil Chapter Fifteen, pp. 363-79
Oct. 30 God and evil Chapter Fifteen, pp. 379-93
Nov. 1 Test 2
Nov. 6 Challenges to morality: relativism Chapter Sixteen, pp. 395-406
Nov. 8 Challenges to morality: existentialism Chapter Sixteen, pp. 406-29
Nov. 13 Hedonism Chapter Seventeen
Nov. 15 Utilitarianism Chapter Eighteen
Nov. 20 Kantian ethics Chapter Nineteen
Nov. 22 Thanksgiving
Nov. 27 Classical political theory Chapter Twenty
Nov. 29 Liberalism and Marxism Chapter Twenty-one
Dec. 4 Justice Chapter Twenty-two
Dec. 7 (Friday) Final exam, 12:30 p.m.

Grades/Tests: the semester grade is based equally on the two tests and final exam (all essay format). There is no grade for attendance, but if you miss a class for any reason, you must make up for that absence by submitting answers to the "Test Yourself" questions at the end of that day's chapter. Failure to turn in those answers will result in a loss of 5 points on one of your test scores. You can add extra points to a test score by submitting answers to the "Questions for Reflection." Each good set of answers is worth one additional point; a merely acceptable set of answers is worth 1/2 point. Because we will cover 21 chapters, you have a chance to add 21 points to one of your test scores. If you miss a test, contact me before the next class meeting to take a make-up exam.

How to do well: Read and outline the text before class, and in class refine your outline notes based on the lectures and discussions. For each chapter you should have an outline that is structured based on answering these four questions about the philosophers or philosophical positions we study:

You should consult with the professor as often as possible to make sure you are understanding the material. Do not wait until the day before a test to begin to do your outline. This is not the kind of course for which you can cram and expect to do well on tests. Take advantage of my office hours!

Go to Dr. Daniel's Home Page

o Send Dr. Daniel a message: sdaniel@people.tamu.edu

o

        Dr. Daniel: Office Hours (Bolton 302-B): Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00-12:30, 2:15-3:30
        Phone: 845-5619 (office), 846-4649 (home)
        Web: people.tamu.edu/~sdaniel/251sy01c.html