last update 10/14/03
TR 11:30AM - 12:45PM, PL M104
EssentialsCourse
Links/Study Q's |
UC Catalog: An introductory course in philosophy which focuses on some of the central questions of philosophy. For example: theories of reality and the nature of knowledge and its limits. The knowledge of these areas of philosophy is essential to the student for informed participation in the resolution of contemporary problems in today's society.
Does life have meaning? This deceptively simple question will provide our entry point into philosophy. We will read and discuss a number of writers, from Plato to the present, who, in considering the question of the meaning of life lead us into issues regarding value, knowledge, and the nature of reality. Time permitting, we will watch one or two related films.The course will focus on three main themes and the following related questions:
(1) Character and Self-Examination. What does it mean to live a "good life"? How can we tell if we are making the right choices in life? Is there a difference between filling our lives with pleasure and filling our lives with meaning? If we could guarantee our happiness, would knowledge still be important?
(2) Death, Insignificance, and the Lure of Suicide. Death is a fact all around us, an adversary with whom we play chess. The vast universe is also a fact, a companion against whom our life may seem a comparatively trivial speck. Given these two facts of life, how can our small and short-lived actions have meaning? How have philosophers dealt with the suicidal impulses provoked by such philosophical crises?
(3) God, Science, and their effects on a meaningful life. Some argue that our best bet for a meaningful life is belief in God. Others, like Nietzsche and W.T. Stace, suggest it’s too late for such a bet—but there are other ways to rise beyond the "death of God." Still others see in religion a rescue from the determinism implicit in science’s mechanistic worldview. What roles might religion and science play in answering the question, does life have meaning?
Ideally, by the end of this course students should gain the following skills:
Familiarization.
Gain a good sense of what is at stake in issues of course.
Comprehension. Be able to comprehend the arguments offered by various
philosophers.
Critical analysis. Be able to criticize those arguments by pointing
out where they lack evidence, make an unreasonable leap, hold a false assumption,
etc.
Demonstration of the above through writing.
Verbalization. Be able to summarize a philosophical position, without
notes, using your own words. Be able to criticize a position this way.
Conversation and Debate. Be able to discuss issues in a focused
and informed way with others in the class. This will involve listening closely
to their points, then responding in a way that moves the discussion ahead.
1. The
Trial and Death of Socrates by Plato, GMA Grube, translator
(Hackett )
2. Life and Meaning : A Reader, edited by Oswald Hanfling
(Basil Blackwell), 1988--This text may be unavailable.
Check here or here
or here for used.
3. Copy Packet for Phil 1012—Available in the Bookstore under
that name (page numbers listed in assignments correspond to bookstore pagination)
4. Website: additional readings will also be available here.
Films: May include The Seventh Seal, Harold and Maude
Attendance + Participation: Intellectual inquiry requires verbal discussion as much as written argument. There will be ample opportunity for active and well prepared participation, which I value and which will affect the final grade. "Participation" includes the following kinds of things: attendance, ability and willingness to contribute to class discussion and group activities, e-mail dialogue, etc. It is possible that an occasional "pop quiz" (testing only the most basic familiarity with the readings) will be factored into this portion of the grade. Since lectures and even discussion points will find their way into the exams, not attending the class will have a significant negative impact on your grade. Attending will also be a major help to your ability to participate.
Readings: It is expected that you have done the readings before we
discuss them. As you read, copy out important points and questions you have
onto a separate sheet of paper. (These will help you with your short reflection
papers.) You may also want to note problem passages (e.g., with a "?"
or "Q.") in your text as you read. These are good points for class
discussion. You should come to each class able to discuss the main issues
of the reading and you could be asked during class to present the main points
to the class. Your well-prepared participation is crucial for a successful
class. Please
see the Tips
for Understanding Philosophy and for Writing
Philosophy Papers on my home page. See also this page for tips on participating
and reading.
Very
important: please try to set aside about 10 minutes shortly
before class to look back over (skim-review) the readings and whatever
you have written for that day.
Exams: Bring a blue book to each in class exam. The final exam must
be typed. NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN WITHOUT SERIOUS EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES
AND ARRANGEMENTS MADE PRIOR TO THE EXAM.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a form of stealing. It occurs when an author
uses the words or ideas of others as if they were the author’s own
original thought. (It may include word-for-word copying, interspersing one’s
own words with another’s, paraphrasing, inventing or counterfeiting
sources, submitting another’s work as one’s own, neglecting quotation
marks on material that is otherwise acknowledged.) Plagiarism is often unintentional.
It can be avoided by always acknowledging one’s debt to others by citing
the exact source of a quotation or paraphrase. Since plagiarism is such
a serious violation of academic honesty, the PENALTY for it will be an AUTOMATIC
"F" FOR THIS COURSE. The CU handbook has a more complete description
of plagiarism and academic dishonesty; it may be found here
(PDF):
Grades: I use the plus/minus system. Values for those letters, as well as the policies regarding other grades such as Incomplete, are available in the CU Academic Policies and Regulations section of the handbook.
Contact
Information
E-mail: hilde@yahoo.com
Phone : 303-556-8558
Website: http://davidhildebrand.org
Comments about class: Student
Comment Form
Office and Hours: Plaza M108; Hours TWTh
2-3 or by appointment.
Purpose: I strongly encourage you to participate by dropping
by during office hours. We can talk about the class readings and lectures,
exams and papers, your progress, or just philosophy in general. Note: If
you are a student with a disability, I will make myself available
to discuss appropriate academic accommodations. Before accommodations will
be made, you may be required to provide documentation. Students with disabilities
will be accommodated. Students with disabilities are required to register
disabilities with the UCD Disability Services Office, and are responsible
for requesting reasonable accommodations at the beginning of the term.
Important Dates to Remember: (see http://registrar.cudenver.edu/calendar.htm
for full calendar)
August 18th, fall semester begins.
August 28th, last day to add via web.
September 3rd, last day to drop and get a tuition refund.
October 27th, last day to drop without dean approval.
(A rough schedule. Subject to revision. I will let you know in each class what is coming up.)
AUGUST
19 Trial and Death---Introduction to class
21 Trial and Death---Euthyphro
26 Trial and Death---Euthyphro
28 Trial and Death---Apology
SEPTEMBER
2 Trial and Death---Apology
4 Trial and Death---Crito
9 Trial and Death---Crito
11 Trial and Death--Crito/Phaedo
16 Review for exam--exam
study questions here
18 FIRST EXAM
23 Life and Meaning---200-202 (Nozick); Advertising and End of the World(film,
possible)
25 Life and Meaning---185-189 (Plato); 205-206 (Aristotle)
30 Life and Meaning---97-109 (Schopenhauer)
NOVEMBER
OCTOBER
2 Life and Meaning---7-19 (Eccl., Tolstoy)
7 PACKET---Pascal
9 PACKET---Pascal/Nietzsche (excerpt);WEBSITE--- "The
Problem of Socrates" and
class notes on Nietzsche's "God is dead."
Note: From this point on the PAPER syllabus is a little off. What you see below is correct.
14 PACKET--Pascal/Nietzsche
16 PACKET---Stace
21 READING DAY: CLASS CANCELLED
23 Life and Meaning---20-33 (Baier)
28 Life and Meaning---39-48 (Taylor)
30 Life and Meaning---49-59 (Nagel)--exam
study questions here
4 SECOND EXAM2
6 PACKET--- "Dilemma of Determinism"
11 PACKET--- "Dilemma of Determinism"
13 PACKET--- "The Will To Believe"
18 PACKET--- "The Will To Believe"
20 PACKET--- "What Makes a Life"
25 PACKET--- "What Makes a Life"
27 THANKSGIVING
DECEMBER
2 PACKET--- McDermott---TAKE HOME FINAL HANDED OUT---exam
study questions here and pay attention to
these tips
4 PACKET--- McDermott
TAKE HOME DUE DECEMBER 9, BY 12 NOON IN THE PHILOSOPHY
DEPARTMENT OFFICE.
Tips for Understanding Philosophy
More study and exam tips are here