|
|
Introduction to Philosophy develops problem-solving and critical-thinking skills by examining discussions about reality, knowledge, truth, God, self-identity, freedom, and the nature of ethical and political beliefs.
Text: Philosophical Traditions by Louis Pojman
(1998). Chapters listed below should be read prior to each class.
| Class date | Topic | Reading assignment (from Pojman text) |
| Aug. 31 | Introduction | ch. 1 |
| Sept. 2 | Socrates | ch. 5 (skip ch. 2-4) |
| Sept. 7 | Plato | ch. 6 |
| Sept. 9 | Cosmological Argument | ch. 7 |
| Sept. 14 | Teleological Argument | ch. 8 |
| Sept. 16 | Ontological Argument | ch. 9 |
| Sept. 21 | Evil and Faith | ch. 11 & 12 (skip ch. 10) |
| Sept. 23 | Theory of Knowledge | ch. 13 |
| Sept. 28 | Skepticism | ch. 14 |
| Sept. 30 | External World | ch. 15 |
| Oct. 5 | Truth | ch. 16 |
| Oct. 7 | Mind-Body Problem | ch. 17 |
| Oct. 12 | Materialist Monism | ch. 18 |
| Oct. 14 | Functionalism & Identity | ch. 19 & 20 |
| Oct. 19 | Mid-semester exam | |
| Oct. 21 | Determinism & Libertarianism | ch. 22 & 23 (skip ch. 21) |
| Oct. 26 | Compatibilism | ch. 24 |
| Oct. 28 | Ethics | ch. 25 |
| Nov. 2 | Ethical relativism | ch. 26 |
| Nov. 4 | Egoism | ch. 27 |
| Nov. 9 | Utilitarianism | ch. 28 |
| Nov. 11 | Kantian Deontology | ch. 29 |
| Nov. 16 | Religion and Ethics | ch. 30 |
| Nov. 18 | Anarchism & Absolutism | ch. 31 & 32 |
| Nov. 23 | Political Libertarianism | ch. 33 |
| (Nov. 25) | (Thanksgiving) | |
| Nov. 30 | Marxism & Liberalism | ch. 34 & 35 |
| Dec. 2 | Existentialism | ch. 36 |
| Dec. 7 | Freedom | ch. 37 |
| Dec. 10 (Friday) | Final exam 3-5 p.m. |
Office (Bolton 302 B) hours: Tuesday 2:30-5:00; Thursday 2:30-3:30
Phone: 845-5619 (office), 846-4649 (home)
Email: sdaniel@unix.tamu.edu
Web site: people.tamu.edu/~sdaniel/251sy99c.html
Grades/Tests: Grades are based equally on the mid-semester exam, final exam, and cumulative score of daily quizzes. Exams and quizzes are comprised of true/false, multiple-choice questions, many of which can be found through the "past test questions" links below. Quizzes occur in the last five minutes of class, during which students in small groups can discuss the questions before individually selecting answers. Periodically questions are added to quizzes for extra points. If you miss the mid-semester exam, contact me before the next class meeting to take a make-up exam. If you miss a daily quiz because of a university-excused absence, notify me: you will be given an opportunity to make it up through an extra quiz later in the semester. Class attendance can significantly affect your performance on exams and quizzes, but there is no specific grade for attendance as such.
Past test questions on Philosophy in General, Socrates, and Plato. Past test questions on Philosophy of Religion. Past test questions on Epistemology (Theory of Knowledge). Past test questions on Metaphysics. Past test questions on Freedom, Determinism, and Existentialism. Past test questions on Ethics. Past test questions on Social-Political Philosophy and Aesthetics.
Go to Dr. Daniel's Home Page
Send Dr. Daniel a message: sdaniel@unix.tamu.edu