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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 101-2"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Philosophical Thinking"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2017
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: David Levy
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: after class or by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
We all have opinions about what is true and false, right and wrong, what is just, divine, and beautiful, what the self, mind, and soul are, or what makes us free. But can we justify our opinions about such things? Have we given rational and open-minded consideration to criticisms and alternatives, or are our opinions perhaps based only on prejudices and assumptions? In this course you will learn to use philosophical thinking to test and improve your opinions and your ability to evaluate the claims of important philosophers. Through the study and discussion of philosophical texts, classic or contemporary, you will grapple with issues of fundamental human importance and develop your capacities for careful reading, clear writing and speaking, and logical argumentation.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course has three main parts.  The first part introduces an ancient and also very current philosophical problem, that of soul and body.  Are human beings (and perhaps other living things) endowed with a soul?  Or has this assumption been refuted by the discoveries of modern science (especially neuroscience)?

The second part of the course will consist in a careful reading of Plato's Phaedo, which recounts the final conversation of the philosopher Socrates with his friends before his death.  In reading this dialogue we will have a chance to continue our study of the soul-body problem, as well as to consider numerous other issues.  Perhaps most importantly, we will have the chance to consider how a philosopher lives (and dies).

The third part of the course introduces modern philosophy through selections from Voltaire's witty and irreverent Philosophical Dictionary. Voltaire was a leading representative of the Enlightenment, a philosophical movement that transformed the Western world through its bold attack on what it regarded as ignorance and superstition.  We today, whether we are aware of it or not, are still deeply influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Improve our capacities for careful reading, clear writing and speaking, and logical argumentation.

Deepen our understanding of issues of fundamental human importance.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Philosophical DictionaryVoltaire / Besterman (transl.)Penguin9780140442571     
PhaedoPlato / Brann (transl.)Focus9780941051699     
De AnimaAristotle / Shiffman (transl.)Focus9781585102488     
Touching a Nerve: Our Brains, Our SelvesPatricia ChurchlandNorton978-0-393-34944-3     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
What does it all mean? A very short introduction to philosophyThomas NagelOxford9780195052169BD21 .N24  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Philosophical Foundations of NeuroscienceM.R. Bennett and P.M.S. HackerBlackwell978-1-4051-0855-3QP360.5.B465 
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
attendance, participation, short written comments, quizzes(1) Students are strongly encouraged to participate in class discussions. You will be assessed more on the quality than on the quantity of your participation. Doing the assigned readings diligently and thoughtfully is essential to being able to contribute usefully to class discussions. (2) You are required to bring to each class a hard copy of the assigned readings for that day. You must use the particular editions and translations specified in the syllabus. (3) Short written comments (handwritten is fine; please double-space and leave margins) on the assigned readings are due every class, except for five times during the semester at the student's discretion. In addition, no comment is required on the day you turn in a paper. If you are absent from a class, you may turn in two comments the following class. Although comments are not graded individually, they should be thoughtful and well-written. Each comment should be focused specifically on the assigned reading for that day, and should demonstrate that you have done that reading carefully. (4) Quizzes may be administered, and will be graded Pass / Fail. (5) You are permitted two absences without an excuse. Additional unexcused absences will negatively affect your grade. Examples of excusable absences are those due to illness or travel. Requests for an excused absence should be made in advance whenever possible. Lack of punctuality, too, will negatively affect your grade.20
3 papersLate papers will be assessed a penalty unless an extension has been granted in advance. For the first paper, students will be required to visit the Writing Center before turning the paper in. A penalty will be assessed if this requirement is not met. 60
final exam (essay questions on the assigned readings) 20
   

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A Work of this quality provides a coherent, orderly argument based on an a very careful reading of the relevant texts and a solid understanding of the relevant issues. The student displays superior reasoning skills, and has done a good deal of original thinking about the material. He or she knows how to raise important questions about the text and to evaluate possible answers to them. The student writes very clearly and has a near-perfect command of English usage and grammar. (Appropriate allowances are made for those for whom English is not a first languag
B This is a good level of performance. The student displays a capacity for careful reading and good reasoning. The work reflects some original thinking and is not simply a repetition of lecture material and readings. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions. The student writes clearly and has a good command of English usage and grammar.
C This is an acceptable, or fair, level of performance. The student provides answers that are clear but limited, consisting mainly in a repetition of the text or lectures. The student has some ability to write clearly and correctly.
D This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included. The paper is poorly organized, and the student shows limited ability to write clearly and correctly.
F This work fails to show any significant knowledge of the texts and the issues. Most of the material is irrelevant or inaccurate. There is no coherent argument and the student shows little ability to write clearly and correctly. This grade is also given for any act of plagiarism or other form of academic dishonesty.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY

Students are expected to attend class regularly and on time.  Unexcused absences (beyond two) and lack of punctuality will negatively affect a student's grade.  If you will have to miss a class, please let the instructor know in advance.

You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

You must bring to each class a hard copy of the assigned readings for that day.  The use of electronic devices in class is not permitted.

For translated works, you are required to use the translations specified in the syllabus. 

Jan. 17 – What is philosophy?  Why philosophy? 

Part I.  Soul and body / mind and body: are we our brains?

Jan. 19 – Thomas Nagel on the mind-body problem (handout) [optional reading: Thomas Nagel, "What is it like to be a bat?" - posted on MyJCU

Jan. 24 – Churchland, Touching a Nerve, chs. 1-2 [optional: ch. 3]

Jan. 26 – Churchland, ch. 4

Jan. 31 – Churchland, ch. 5 [recommended: ch. 6]

Feb. 2 – Churchland, ch. 7

Feb. 7 – Two critiques of Churchland (print from course web page on My JCU):

1.      Tallis, “What Neuroscience Cannot Tell Us…”, pp. 3-7 (through end of first paragraph), 24-25 (i.e. the section entitled “Finding Ourselves”)

2.      Scruton, “My Brain and I” pp. 35-41, 45 (begin with top paragraph, “Words like…”) – 48

(Note that although there are two assigned readings, only one written comment is due - which may be about one reading or both.)
[Recommended reading: Bennett and Hacker, Philosophical Foundations of Neuroscience (on library reserve), section 3.1, pp. 68-74, esp. pp. 73-4]

Receive topics for first paper.

Feb. 9 – Intro to Aristotle (My JCU); Aristotle, De Anima I.1-2 [recommended: I.3, esp. last paragraph].  Note that the translator's Glossary is very helpful in understanding Aristotle's key terms.

Feb. 14 – De Anima II.1

Feb. 16 - De Anima II.2 [recommended: II.3].  First paper due.

Feb. 21 - De Anima II.4

Feb. 23 – A modern defense of Aristotle’s approach: Kass, The Hungry Soul, pp. 35-44 (My JCU)

Part II. The life (and death) of the philosopher: Plato, Phaedo

IMPORTANT: While reading the Phaedo, consult the Phaedo Study Guide (My JCU).  Also consult the translators' Glossary as needed.

Feb. 28 - Phaedo, marginal numbers 57-65D (= pages 27-36)

March 2 - 65D-72E

March 3 - 72E-78A

March 7 - 78B-84B

March 9 - 84C-91C

March 14 - 91C-97B

March 16 - 97C-102A.  Receive topics for second paper.

March 21 - 102A-107A

March 23 – 107B – end.  Second paper due.

Part III. Intro to the Enlightenment: Voltaire, Philosophical Dictionary

March 28 – Intro to Voltaire (My JCU); Philosophical Dictionary: Chronology, pp. 401-3; “Abbé”, “Fanatisme: Fanaticism”, “Tolerance: Toleration”.  [Recommended: “Superstition”]

March 30 – A debate about reason and prejudice:

1.      Philosophical Dictionary: “Liberté di pensée: Freedom of thought”; “Préjugés: Prejudices” (to top of p. 344). 

2.      Intro to Burke (My JCU); Burke, excerpt from Reflections on the Revolution in France (My JCU), pp. 73 (from middle of page, “We are not the converts of Rousseau; we are not the disciples of Voltaire”) – 75 (to end of top paragraph – “his duty becomes a part of his nature”).

April 3-7 Spring Break

April 11 – No class

April 13 – Philosophical Dictionary: “Liberté (de la): On freewill”; “Nécessaire: Necessary”. Receive topics for third paper.

April 14 (make-up class for April 11) – “Certain, certitude: Certain, certainty”; “Miracles”

April 18:   “Athée, athéisme: Atheist, atheism”; “Dieu: God”, “Théiste: Theist”

April 20: “Amour-propre: Self-love”; “Egalité: Equality”; “Méchant: Wicked”; “Tyrannie: Tyranny”.

April 27:  Reading assignment TBD.  Review of semester and preparation for final exam.  Third paper due.