Phil 1101: Introduction to Philosophy

University of Minnesota, Morris
Professor Collier
Fall 2012

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? Does life have meaning? In this course, we will examine classic 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:

Four Exams: 15% each
Two Papers: 15% each (dates TBA)
Class Participation & Quizzes: 10%

Teaching Assistant: TBA

SYLLABUS

CLASS SCHEDULE

Ancient Greek Philosophy: Plato and Aristotle

Introduction
Plato (I): Euthyphro 2a-11b, 15d-16a
Plato (II): Apology
Plato (III): Crito
Plato (IV): Phaedo: "Death Scene" and Phaedo: "Release of the Soul" (*)
Aristotle (I): Nichomachean Ethics I: 1-5, 7-8 (pp. 1-5, 7-11) (*)
Aristotle (II): Nichomachean Ethics X: 6-8 (pp. 162-167) (*)
TEST #1

Ancient Roman Philosophy: Stoics and Epicureans

Epictetus (I): Handbook 53; Discourses Ch.6 (*) and Ch. 16 (*)
Epictetus (II): Handbook 1-2, 7-15, 17-19, 22-25, 29-52
Epictetus (III): Handbook 3-6, 16, 20-21, 26-28; Seneca: "On Anger" (pdf)
Lucretius (I): On the Nature of Things Book I: 1-448, 616-628; Book II. 167-183, 1026-1104; Book V. 158-235
Lucretius (II): On the Nature of Things Book II: 62-166, 184-293; Book III: 94-178
Lucretius (III): On the Nature of Things Book II. 1-61, Book III. 1-93, 323-349, 417-462, 830-1094
TEST #2

Modern Rationalism: Descartes

Sextus Empiricus: Outlines of Pyrrhonism I: 1-15 (*)
Descartes (I): First and Second Meditations
Descartes (II): Third Meditation
Descartes (III): Fourth Meditation
Descartes (IV): Fifth Meditation & Supplementary Proofs of God’s Existence (pdf)
Descartes (V): Sixth Meditation
TEST #3

Modern Empiricism: Hume

Hume (I): Dialogues on Natural Religion, Parts II-III
Hume (II): DNR, Parts IV-V
Hume (III): DNR, Parts VII-IX; Samuel Clarke: "Cosmological Argument"
Hume (IV): DNR, Part X-XI
Hume (V): “Of Miracles”
Clifford: "Ethics of Belief" and William James: "Will to Believe" (*)
TEST #4

* = electronic course reserve

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