Course Description

Catalog Course Description

``Introduction to the main problems of philosophy and its methods of inquiry, analysis, and criticism. Works of important philosophers are read. Three semester hours." From the Lander University Catalog 2003-2004

Textbook

Gould, James A., and Robert J. Mulvaney, eds. Classic Philosophic Questions. 11th ed. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 2004. Previous editions should work, although page numbers will differ.

Purpose of the Course

The general purpose of this course is to introduce some of the main problems of philosophy, including

Objectives of the Course

The general aims of this introductory survey of philosophy are

1. Are ethical principles relative?
2. Are all persons at heart egoistic?
3. What are the best proofs for God's existence?
4. How can truth be established?
5. Are there causal determinants of choice?
6. Of what does reality exist?
7. Are ethical and artistic judgments subjective?
8. How does one go about to find purpose and meaning in life?
9. How is philosophy related to other disciples?

Course Procedures

The methods used to obtain these ends are

1. to learn classic arguments which illustrate basic philosophical principles,
2. to read carefully and critically the text and several papers in philosophy,
3. to write analytically about topics in philosophy,
4. to ask questions in class, with philhelp, and with the mwforum Philosophy Message Board,
5. to study classic, influential, and abiding arguments concerning the structures of knowledge, belief, and value,
6. to test your understanding by means of special examinations, and
7. to question critically several interpretations of basic philosophical positions.

Specific Skills Achieved

Upon completion of this course, all students should be able to

1. demonstrate basic skills of Internet browsing, email, Majordomo Discussion groups, and Message Boards,
2. explain the difference between a priori and a posteriori arguments,
3. to learn to identify arguments, to evaluate and counter them, and to construct good arguments,
4. to obtain the ability to relate arguments to one another and to appreciate persistent, sustained thought on a topic,
5. to obtain the ability to justify and defend personal views once they are clearly and completely stated and to develop a personal ideology,
6. to recognize how all aspects of living are rationally and causally interrelated,
7. to recognize the difference between a factual question and a philosophic problem,
8. to understand how concepts can be systematically clarified though philosophical analysis,
9. to explain the general purpose of philosophy as a method of inquiry,
10. to identify the differences between faith and reason,
11. to list the major philosophy positions on free will,
12. to identify and explain some common fallacies which occur in philosophical argumentation, and
13. to apply usefully several methods of philosophical reasoning in everyday life and ordinary language.

In this course you will gain skill in asking interesting, productive, and insightful questions and will analyze philosophical essays to obtain facility in the clear, complete, and methodological statement of personal views. You will also learn effective methods of analysis and criticism in the evaluation of argumentative discourse.

Teaching Methods

We adopt specific techniques recommended by many educators, namely lecture, discussion, review tests and quizzes, a paper, homework, and computer applications, including word-processing, online discussion list, message boards, chat, and online supplementary material.