Philosophy 1: Basic Problems of Philosophy

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Philosophy 1: Basic Problems of Philosophy Dr. Evelyn Pluhar

Class Overview: We will explore fundamental problems that have excited & perplexed thinkers throughout ages. ex. What can we know about "real" world, the world that exists beyond our perceptions? is there a God? What difference does it make to one's life if there is or isn’t a God? Are there ethical values that hold for all people at all times? Are human beings purely physical bodies, or is there more to us than that? What could that ‘more’ be? is there life after physical death? how should one live this life? we will confront important & conflicting responses to such Q’s by different philosophers, & we will respond to their views in turn. Your goal should be 1) to understand different attempted solutions to these problems, 2) to come to reasoned position of your own on philosophical problems.

Required text: J.R. Burr & M. Goldinger, Editors, Philosophy and Contemporary Issues, 7th edition.

Schedule

1. Intro. to Philosophy, Socrates

readings from book: "What Philosophy Can Be" in "General Introduction", BG #1 Plato "The Apolgy"

2. Intro. to Logic

readings: handouts & problems; BG #55 Irving Copi "The Detective as Scientist"

3. Epistemology (theory of knowledge)

readings: BG "Introduction" to Part 6, BG #52 Renê Descartes "Meditations I and II", BG #59 William Poundstone "Brains in Vats", BG #57 Bertrand Russell "Against Common Sense"

4. Philosophy of Religion: Arguments from design, cosmos, & religious experience

readings: BG "Introduction to God and Religion", BG #12 Clarence Darrow "The Delusion of Design & Purpose", BG #13 D.E. Trueblood "The Evidential Value of Religious Experience"

5. Philosophy of Religion: Argument from Evil

readings: BG #16 B.C. Johnson "God and the Problem of Evil", BG #17 John Hick "The Problem of Evil"

6. Religion, Ethics, & existentialism

readings: BG "Introduction to Mind and Body", C.J. Ducasse "Is Life After Death Possible?", BG #45 Christopher Evans "Can a Machine Think?"

Possible Topics for Research Papers

1. Proper Treatment of criminals

readings: BG #7 Clarence Darrow "An Address to the Prisoners in Chicago County Jail" BG #8 C.S. Lewis "The Humanitarian Theory of Punishment"

help: after intro. paragraph stating what controversy is about, identifying readings & their authors, & stating your position, clearly & concisely state what u regard to be the most important arguments each author makes. which argumentsare strongest? why?

2. should we believe w/o evidence?

readings: BG #18 W.K. Clifford "The Ethics of Belief" BG #19 William James "The Will to Believe"

3. do drug bans rob people of their dignity?

reading: BG #39 Thomas Szasz "The Ethics of Addiction"

help: after intro. paragraph stating topic & identifying article clearly & concisely state what u think are major arguments he makes. what do u think people w/ opp. views would argue in response? Who do u think is right? defend your view logically.

4. against abortion

reading: BG #29 John T. Noonan "An Almost Absolute Value in History"

help: after intro. paragraph explaining what u are about to do & identifying article clearly & concisely state what u think are major arguments he makes. what are his flaws. defend your view logically.

5. for choice of abortion

reading: BG #30 Judith Jarvis Thomson "A Defense of Abortion"

help: after intro. paragraph explaining what u are about to do & identifying article clearly & concisely state what u think are major arguments she makes. what are her flaws? defend your view logically.

6. aid & immigration

readings: BG #27 Garret Hardin "Lifeboat Ethics", BG #28 Peter Singer "Insiders and Outsiders"

7. Free Speech & pornography

reading: BG #37 Helen Longino "Pornography, Oppression, and Freedom"

8. Is genuine artificial intelligence possible?

readings: BG #48 Christopher Evans "Can a Machine Think?" BG #49 Morton Hunt "What the Human Mind Can Do That the Computer Can’t"