| Summer
Session 1
Eric
Brandon PHI 111 Basic
Problems of Philosophy
MTWRF 9:25-10:40 & 10:50 -12:05 – Tribble
A306
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This course aims to give both an historical and a thematic
introduction to some of the central problems of philosophy.
Issues such as virtue, the good life, the role of reason in
human life, freedom of the will, the origin of evil, the existence
of God, and the nature of knowledge will be explored through
the use of classical texts. These texts are categorized in
four historical periods: Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern, and
Modern. Within each period the readings will concentrate on
problems which were especially pertinent to the particular
historical period in question. The aim of the course is not
to give a comprehensive survey of western philosophy. Instead,
the goal is to challenge students to think deeply about philosophical
problems by reading a few texts as intensively as possible.
Clark
Thompson PHI 111 Basic Problems
of Philosophy
MTWRF
12:15-01:30 & 1:40-2:55 – Tribble A306 |
We shall
study the following questions in political and moral philosophy,
and in the philosophy of religion. Do we have an obligation
to obey the law? What is the extent of the legitimate authority
of government? Is it reasonable to believe someone who says
he witnessed a miracle? Can God's existence and attributes
be established by an appeal to the existence of design in
nature? Is the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing,
and benevolent God consistent with the existence of suffering
and moral evil? What makes an act morally right? We shall
read works by Plato, Locke, and Hume.
Avram
Hiller PHI
111 Basic Problems of Philosophy
MTWRF
10:50 - 12:05 – Tribble A307 |
This course will help you think critically about systems of
belief, including your own. Do we have any knowledge of anything?
Should we believe in God? Can science tell us how the world
really works? Is there a foundation to our moral judgments?
We will provide means to respond to these doubts, but if this
class is successful, it will raise more questions than it answers.
The course is designed to develop your ability to read texts
and respond critically to them. It is also intended to help
you write more clearly and persuasively. While the class will
be very challenging, it should be rewarding — as the
editors of the textbook write, “those of our values and
concepts that survive this process will be more truly our own.”
Summer
Session 2
Doug
Carriker PHI 111 Basic Problems of Philosophy
MTWRF
8-9:15 & 9:25-10:40 &12:15-1:30– Tribble
A306 |
This course will survey the history of Western philosophy from
the sixth century B. C. to the present, with particular attention
to the writings of Plato and Descartes. However, this chronological
approach is not to suggest that our interest will be merely antiquarian.
Throughout the course, we will apply arguments and distinctions
we encounter to subjects of continuing and lively debate, such
as the mind-body problem, the problem of personal identity, the
existence of God, the problem of evil, the problem of moral relativism,
and the problem of skepticism.
Hannah
Hardgrave PHI 111 Basic Problems
of Philosophy
MTWRF
10:50-12:05– Tribble A306 |
It has been said that the history of philosophy
is a series of footnotes to Plato. In this course Plato’s Republic will introduce
students to many of the basic problems of philosophy as well as
early steps in the Critical Tradition of Western thought. Readings
will include responses to Plato’s ideas by classical philosophers
including Descartes, Kant, and Mill as well as the ideas of selected
contemporary philosophers. Contemporary films will also be used
to illustrate some of the philosophical problems and will be the
subject of paper assignments. Through student-led discussions the
class will participate in the tradition of critical thinking which
had its first flowering with Plato.
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