PHL103.05

Philosophy 103.20

Introduction to Philosophy

This course will focus on several classic philosophical texts, and two or three pieces by contemporary writers, to try to make clear what philosophical analysis looks like, how it is done, and how to apply those methods of analysis to current issues of interest. We will try to develop our analytic abilities further by breaking down specific arguments and criticizing them from a variety of directions. Hence, the course is designed to help you become a better and more critical thinker, reader, and writer, and an important part of this approach is class discussion. (Done correctly, this will have two happy results--you will be able to demonstrate your understanding of the texts by articulating the issues they raise, and class will go by more quickly.) Other than a willingness to ask questions and express your considered view, the fundamental requirements for doing well in this course are curiosity, an open mind, and a willingness to think about weird things you might not have thought about before.

Instructor                        Kurt Mosser
Office                        HM 417; 229.2933 (Philosophy Department)
Office Hours    T/Th 1:30-2:30
                                       and by appointment
E-mail                           kurt.mosser@notes.udayton.edu
homepage:                  http://academic.udayton.edu/KurtMosser/

First paper assignment

Second paper assignment

Final examination

Electronic Reserve Texts

Philosophy Tutors--e-mail

Philosophy Tutors--Webpage

Classroom procedure:

Lecture and discussion; some small-group work

Evaluation procedure:

    3 in-class tests                      (10% each)
    2 short (3-5 pages) papers      (20% each)
    1 final paper (6-10 pages)     (20%)
    class participation                 (10%)

Grading Scale:

100-90            A
89-80              B
79-70              C
69-60              D
59-0                F

Borderline cases will be "fine-tuned" using the "+/-" gradations.

Texts:

Plato               "Apology," "Crito," "Phaedo" (all in Grube translation of Plato: Five
                        Dialogues or The Trial and Death of Socrates)

Descartes        Meditations on First Philosophy

Hume           An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding

Pollitt           "Marooned on Gilligan's Island" (on reserve at Roesch library electronic reserve)

Sen                 "Rational Fools" (on reserve at Roesch library electronic reserve )

Final exam reading assignment to be announced; it will also be available electronically.

Late work, in general, is not accepted without written medical documentation accounting for the specific day or days missed. However, I will deduct 20% for each calendar day a paper is late and accept it, except for final papers or examinations. It is to your advantage, of course, to attend class. I know that printers don't work, networks go down, people get sick, and emergencies arise. If you know you are going to miss class ahead of time, you should let me know. There are a variety of ways of contacting me: e-mail is probably the best , but the department office (229.2933) has voice mail, I am frequently in my office in the mornings (and often on weekends) (229.2810); you can leave a note for me in my department mailbox or under my door; most of you have my home phone number (please do not call after 8:30 p.m..) If you cannot let me know ahead of time, you should let me know as soon as you return, to see if work can be made up.

Oversleeping is generally not regarded as a legitimate excuse, no matter how colorfully the situation is portrayed.

Work is not to be submitted electronically, unless otherwise specified.

To request academic accommodations due to disability, please contact the Office for Students with Disabilities, 002 Albert Emanuel Hall, (937) 229-3684. If you have a self-identification form indicating that you have a disability which requires academic accommodations, please present it to me so we can discuss accommodations you might need in class.

Plato notes

Descartes notes

The "Cartesian Circle"

Hume notes

Inductive logic

The "New Riddle of Induction"

"Grue"

Miracles

Kant's Critique of Hume

Tentative Schedule:

January

6 First day of class; an introduction to an introduction

8-29 "The Apology" of Socrates (Plato)

9 Last day for late registration, change of grading options and schedules

19 Dr. Martin Luther King jr. Day—no course meeting

26 Last day to drop classes without record

February

6-24 Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy

March

3-31 Hume's Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding

25            Last day to drop classes with record of "W"

April

2               Summary; transition to contemporary philosophy

7-9            Easter Recess—no course meetings

14             Pollitt, "Marooned on Gilligan's Island"

16             Stander Symposium—Alternate Day of Learning

23             Summary, discussion of final, evaluations

Assignment Schedule

January 29 First examination

February 3 First short paper due

February 26 Second examination

March 5                     Second short paper due

April 21                     Third examination

April 27                     Final examination due (by 5:00 p.m.)

            Late final examinations will not be accepted

"All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare"
Baruch de Spinoza

As a student at the University of Dayton, you have affirmed that you will:

- Complete all assignments and examinations by the guidelines given by instructors,
- Avoid plagiarism and any other form of misrepresenting someone else's work
- Adhere to the Standards of Conduct as outlined in the Academic Honor Code.

to contact me

to home page