PHIL 1000: Introduction to Philosophy
Syllabus for Summer 2009
David Barnett
Office: Hellems, Room 184
Phone: 735-3034
Office Hours: Monday 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Email: david.barnett@colorado.edu
Required Texts:
All readings can be downloaded (with password) from this syllabus.
Assignments:
First exam (30%)
Second exam (30%)
Comprehensive final exam (40%)
This course is a survey of the three main areas of philosophy: ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology. Ethics is the study of how we ought to act. Metaphysics is the study of reality -- of the nature of all things, and of what exists. Epistemology is the study of knowledge.
We begin by discussing several familiar ethical issues, such as whether we are morally obligated to help those in other countries who are suffering and dying from lack food, shelter, and medical care. This leads us to investigate abstract theories of how we ought to act, that is, how we ought to act in general. Finally, we discuss certain "meta" questions about ethics: Are there any ethical facts? Are ethical facts objective or relative to subjects and cultures? How can we know ethical truths?
We then consider the related topic of free will: Do we act freely? Do we have the power to govern our own behavior or is our behavior is governed by the laws of physics together with the physical makeup of our brains and bodies? Perhaps we have the power to freely govern our behavior and our behavior is governed by the laws of physics. Answers to these questions are relevant to the project of ethics because it does not make sense to ask how we ought to act if we have no choice in the matter.
We turn next to epistemology: Can we know anything about the external world? Can we be certain about anything? What is knowledge? What justifies our beliefs about the world and our own mental states? Can we trust our senses?
Finally we discuss some central metaphysical questions: What basic sorts of things exist? Does God exist? How are we related to our bodies and the physical stuff of which they are made? What is consciousness? Is it possible for us to survive the destruction of our bodies?
Schedule
| DAY |
TOPICS |
READ (Please print readings double-sided, to conserve paper.) |
LECTURE NOTES | ASSIGNMENT |
| May 11
|
Introduction
Applied Ethics |
Russell: The Value of Philosophy |
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| May 12
|
Theoretical Ethics |
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| May 13 |
Applied Ethics |
Against Speciesism |
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| May 14 |
Metaethics Free Will |
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| May 15 |
Exam 1 |
Exam 1
|
Exam 1
|
Exam 1
|
| May 18 |
Skepticism
|
Descartes: Meditations I and II Nagel: How Do We Know Anything?
|
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| May 19 |
Knowledge
|
Gettier: Is Justified True Belief Knowledge?
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| May 20 |
Berkeley Hume |
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| May 21 |
Empirical Knowledge God |
Routledge Encyclopedia of Phil: Inference to the Best Explanation |
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| May 22 |
Exam 2 God |
Exam 2 |
Exam 2 |
Exam 2 |
| May 25 |
NO CLASS
|
NO CLASS |
NO CLASS | NO CLASS |
| May 26 |
God Mind |
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| May 27 |
Mind |
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| May 28 |
Mind |
Blackwell Companion to Philosophy: Philosophy of Mind |
Personal Identity | |
May 29 |
Final Exam |
Final Exam
|
Final Exam | Final Exam
|
Disability Services:
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and http://www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices
Religious Observances:
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. In this class, please contact me at least one week prior to any planned absence due to religious observance. See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html
Classroom Behavior:
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See polices at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code
Discrimination and Harassment:
The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment, the University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh
Academic Honesty:
All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/