Course Description

Catalog Course Description

``Introduction to the main problems of philosophy and its methods of inquiry, analysis, and criticism. Works of important philosophers are read. Three semester hours.'' From the Lander University Catalog 2004-2005.

Textbook

Lee Archie and John G. Archie, Reading for Philosophical Inquiry: An Open Source Reader. Version 0.21 GFDL, 2004, 415 pp.

http://philosophy.lander.edu/intro/introbook.pdf
http://philosophy.lander.edu/intro/introbook2.1/book1.html

The ``html'' link above gives convenient access chapter-by-chapter in pdf, html, and mp3 sound files. Also, some hardcopies of the textbook are on reserve at the Larry A. Jackson Library, if you prefer to read the traditional way.

Supplementary Readings

Lee Archie and John G. Archie, Introduction to Ethical Studies: An Open Source Reader. Version 0.11 GFDL, 2004, 364 pp.

http://philosophy.lander.edu/ethics/ethicsbook/book1.html
http://philosophy.lander.edu/ethics/ethicsbook.pdf

Booknotes and tutorials for the supplementary readings are available at
http://philosophy.lander.edu/ethics/notes-topics.html

Purpose of the Course

The general purpose of this course is to introduce some of the main problems of philosophy such as those listed under ``Objectives of the Course.''

Objectives of the Course

The general aims of this introductory survey of philosophy are to examine questions such as the following.

1. What is philosophical thinking?
2. Are ethical principles relative?
3. Are all persons at heart egoistic?
4. What are the best proofs for God's existence?
5. How can truth be established?
6. Are there causal determinants of choice?
7. Of what does reality exist?
8. Are ethical and artistic judgments subjective?
9. How does one go about to find purpose and meaning in life?
10. How is philosophy related to other disciples?

Course Procedures

The methods used to obtain these ends are

1. to learn classic arguments which illustrate basic philosophical principles,
2. to read carefully and critically the text and several papers in philosophy,
3. to write analytically about topics in philosophy,
4. to study classic, influential, and abiding arguments concerning the structures of knowledge, belief, and value,
5. to test your understanding by means of special examinations, and
6. to question critically several interpretations of basic philosophical positions.

Specific Skills Achieved

Upon completion of this course, all students should be able to

1. explain the difference between a priori and a posteriori arguments,
2. to learn to identify arguments, to evaluate and counter them, and to construct good arguments,
3. to obtain the ability to relate arguments to one another and to appreciate persistent, sustained thought on a topic,
4. to obtain the ability to justify and defend personal views once they are clearly and completely stated and to develop a personal ideology,
5. to recognize how all aspects of living are rationally and causally interrelated,
6. to recognize the difference between a factual question and a philosophic problem,
7. to understand how concepts can be systematically clarified thought philosophical analysis,
8. to explain the general purpose of philosophy as a method of inquiry,
9. to identify the differences between faith and reason,
10. to list the major philosophy positions on free will,
11. to identify and explain some common fallacies which occur in philosophical argumentation, and
12. to apply usefully several methods of philosophical reasoning in everyday life and ordinary language.

In this course you will gain skill in asking interesting, productive, and insightful questions and will analyze philosophical essays to obtain facility in the clear, complete, and methodological statement of personal views. You will also learn effective methods of analysis and criticism in the evaluation of argumentative discourse.

Teaching Methods

We adopt specific techniques recommended by many educators, namely writing, discussion, review tests, and homework.