Phil 1101: Introduction to Philosophy (On-Line)

University of Minnesota, Morris
Professor Collier

Rembrandt, Aristotle contemplating a bust of Homer

Course Description: How should we live? What happens after we die? What is the relation between our minds and bodies? How much can we know? Does God exist? Do our lives have meaning? In this course, we will examine classic works in philosophy that address these big questions. Authors include: Plato, Aristotle, Epictetus, Lucretius, Sextus Empiricus, Descartes, Berkeley, and Hume. We will also focus on critical thinking, writing, reading, and speaking skills.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Introduction

Plato (I): Euthyphro 2a-10d

Plato (II): Apology

Plato (III): Crito

Plato (IV): Phaedo: "Death Scene" & "Release of the Soul" (*)

Aristotle: Nichomachean Ethics Book I Chs. 1-5 and Ch. 7 §1-19 (pp. 1-5, 7-9) (*)

Epictetus: Discourses Chs. 6 & 16 (*)

Lucretius (I): On the Nature of Things, Book I: 616-628, 329-345, 370-382; Book V: 196-235; Book II: 1052-1068

Lucretius (II): On the Nature of Things, Book II: 253-293; Book III: 163-175

Lucretius (III): On the Nature of Things, Book III: 830-862, 972-976

Sextus Empiricus: Outlines of Pyrrhonism Book I: 1-15 & "First Mode" (*)

Descartes (I): First Meditation

Descartes (II): Second Meditation

Descartes (III): Third Meditation

Descartes (IV): Fourth Meditation

Descartes (V): Fifth Meditation & St. Anselm's Argument (pdf)

Descartes (VI): Sixth Meditation

Berkeley: Principles of Human Knowledge §1-23, pp. 29-42 (*)

Hume (I): Dialogues on Natural Religion, Parts II-III

Hume (II): Dialogues on Natural Religion, Parts IV-V

Hume (III): Dialogues on Natural Religion, Parts VII-IX & Clarke's Argument (pdf)

Hume (IV): “Of Miracles” (pp. 107-114... up to "all religious miracles?" and pp. 122-5... starting with "Upon the whole")

W.K. Clifford: "The Ethics of Belief" & William James: "The Will to Believe" (*)

* = electronic course reserve