Phil 1101: Introduction to Philosophy

University of Minnesota, Morris
Spring 2010
Professor Collier
MWF 11:45-12:50 (Imholte 113)
MWF 1:00-2:05 (Imholte 101)

Rembrandt, Aristotle contemplating a bust of Homer

Course Description: How should we live our lives? What happens after death? What is the relationship between the mind and body? Does God exist? Why do bad things happen to good people? In this course, we will examine classical works in philosophy that address these big questions about human nature and its place in the universe. Authors include: Plato, Aristotle, Epictetus, Lucretius, Sextus Empiricus, Descartes, and Hume. We will also work on the development of philosophical writing, reading, and speaking skills.

Course Requirements: This course will be structured around a combination of lectures and class discussions/group work. This means that you should come to class well-prepared (i.e. with a solid understanding of the readings for the day and questions for discussion). You will be expected to make significant contributions in class discussions and web-forum discussions.

Attendance and Exams: You must attend every meeting of this course. Quizzes may be given in class periodically throughout the semester.

Grade Distribution:

Five Exams: 10% each
Two Papers: 15% each
Class Participation & Quizzes: 10%

Teaching Assistant: Sean Pile (pilex006@umn.edu)

COURSE SYLLABUS

FIRST PAPER TOPICS

CLASS SCHEDULE

Ancient Greek Philosophy: Plato and Aristotle

Jan 20 Introduction
Jan 22 Plato (I): Euthyphro
Jan 25 Plato (II): Apology
Jan 27 Plato (III): Crito
Jan 29 Plato (IV): Phaedo: "Death Scene" and Phaedo: "Release of the Soul" (*)
Feb 1 Aristotle (I): Nichomachean Ethics I: 1-5, 7-8 (pp. 1-5, 7-11)
Feb 3 Aristotle (II): Nichomachean Ethics X: 6-8 (pp. 162-167)
Feb 5 TEST #1

Ancient Roman Philosophy: Epicureans, Stoics, and Skeptics

Feb 8 Epictetus (I): Handbook 53, Discourse 1.6 and 1.16 (*)
Feb 10 Epictetus (II): Handbook 1-2, 7-15, 17-19, 22-25, 29-52
Feb 12 Epictetus (III): Handbook 3-6, 16, 20-21, 26-28; Seneca: "On Anger" (pdf)
Feb 15 Epictetus (IV): Discourse 4.1 "On Freedom" (*)
Feb 17 Lucretius (I): On the Nature of Things Book I: 1-450, 616-628
Feb 19 Lucretius (II): II: 1-112 and 168-184; V:158-235
Feb 22 Lucretius (III): Book II: 216-293, 991-1174
Feb 24 Lucretius (IV): III: 1-416, 830-1094
Feb 26 TEST #2

Modern Rationalism: Descartes

Mar 1 Sextus Empiricus: Outlines of Pyrrhonism I: 1-15 (*)
Mar 3 Descartes (I): First Meditation
Mar 5 Movie Day: "Matrix and Philosophy" (first papers due)
Mar 8 Descartes (II): Second Meditation
Mar 10 Descartes (III): Third Meditation
Mar 12 Descartes (IV): Fourth Meditation
Mar 15 SPRING BREAK
Mar 17 SPRING BREAK
Mar 19 SPRING BREAK
Mar 22 Descartes (V): Fifth Meditation & Supplementary Proofs of God’s Existence (pdf)
Mar 24 Descartes (VI): Sixth Meditation
Mar 26 No Class: Midwest Philosophy Colloquium
Mar 29 TEST #3

Modern Empiricism: Hume

Mar 31 Hume (I): Dialogues on Natural Religion, Parts II-III
Apr 2 No class: Midwest Philosophy Colloquium
Apr 5 Hume (II): Dialogues on Natural Religion, Parts IV-V
Apr 7 Hume (III): Dialogues on Natural Religion, Parts VI-VIII
Apr 9 Hume (IV): Samuel Clarke: "Cosmological Argument"; DNR Part IX
Apr 12 Hume (V): Dialogues on Natural Religion, Part X-XI
Apr 14 Hume (VI): “Of Miracles”
Apr 16 TEST #4

19th and 20th Century Philosophy: Faith, Liberty, and the Meaning of Life

Apr 19 Clifford: "Ethics of Belief" and Wiliam James: "Will to Believe" (*)
Apr 21 Mill (I): On Liberty, Ch. 1 "Introductory" (1-14)
Apr 23 Mill (II): On Liberty, Ch. 2 "Of the liberty of thought and discussion" (15-33)
Apr 26 Mill (III): On Liberty, Ch. 2 "Of the liberty of thought and discussion" (33-52)
Apr 28 Mill (IV): On Liberty, Ch. 3 "Of Individuality" (53-71)
Apr 30 Schopenhauer: "On the Suffering of the World" and "Vanity of Existence" (*)
May 3 Taylor: "The Meaning of Life" (*)
May 5 Nagel: "The Absurd"
May 7 Russell: "The Value of Philosophy" (*)

Finals Week: Exam #5

* = electronic course reserve

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