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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 101-1"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Philosophical Thinking"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2022
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:
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:

What is philosophical thinking and what can it do for us? In Plato's dialogue Meno, the title character, a young, good-looking, intensely ambitious man, wants to know whether philosophical thinking can teach him virtue, by which he means the ability to be a successful leader and to acquire what he considers the good things in life: wealth, honor, political power. But Socrates, to whom Meno poses this question, claims not even to know what virtue is and goes on to show that Meno doesn't know either. Or does Socrates know more than he lets on? We will try to find out through a careful reading of this text, paying due regard to its playfulness and irony as well as its deep seriousness.

We will then turn to two other great philosophical works which treat, from very different perspectives, some of the same themes as the Meno: Kant's Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals and J.S. Mill's Utilitarianism. 

These texts are not easy. They demand, but richly reward, our utmost concentration, patience, and diligence. 

Classes will consist of a mixture of lecture and discussion. 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Gain experience in the careful reading of carefully-written texts. In the words of Sherlock Holmes: "Never trust to general impressions, but concentrate yourself upon details," for "the little things are infinitely the most important." 

2. Learn how to understand and evaluate a philosophical argument  and how to make one.  

3. Improve your capacity for clear and logical thinking, speaking, and writing.

4. Gain a basic understanding of some major philosophical problems and of some alternative solutions to them.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Groundwork for the Metaphysics of MoralsImmanuel KantYale9780300227437 Also available as ebook through JCU library   
Protagoras and MenoPlato (transl. Robert Bartlett)Cornell9780801441998     
On Liberty, Utilitarianism and Other EssaysJohn Stuart MillOxford World Classics9780199670802     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
class participation(1) Class discussions help us test our opinions, improve our speaking and reasoning skills, and learn from each other. To participate in such discussions productively, you must, of course, do the assigned readings carefully and thoughtfully. (2) You must bring to each class a paper copy of the assigned reading. Electronic devices may not be used in class. (3) A written reflection of at least one paragraph on the assigned reading is due every class, except for classes when you turn in a paper and up to five other classes at your discretion. If you are absent you may turn in two reflections the following class. The reflections must not be generic but must concern the assigned reading for that day. You may focus either on the reading as a whole or on a particular passage. You should offer an interpretation or pose a question. Reflections should be on paper (handwritten is OK; please double-space and leave margins). They are not graded individually. (4) More than two unexcused absences will negatively affect your grade. Requests for an excused absence should be made in advance whenever possible. (5) Be punctual and do not leave the classroom during class unless it is an emergency. Eating in class is not permitted. 20
3 papersApproximately 1200 words. Late papers will be assessed a penalty unless an extension has been granted in advance. You must cite in your paper the assigned editions and translations of the readings; failure to do so will negatively affect your grade.60
final examEssay questions on the assigned readings. 20

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A Work of this quality provides a coherent, orderly argument based on 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 language.)
BThis 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.
CThis 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.
DThe student fails to demonstrate a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and/or irrelevant points included. The paper is poorly organized, and the student shows limited ability to write clearly and correctly.
FThis 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 an act of plagiarism or other form of academic dishonesty.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
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

Schedule

(Some of the readings will be found on Moodle. Remember always to bring a paper copy of the readings to class.)

Introduction: What is philosophy? Why philosophy?

Jan. 18 - introduction to the course; W.E.B. Du Bois on liberal education, philosophy, and inclusiveness

Jan. 20 – Selections from Aristotle, Hobbes, Marx, and Nietzsche (handout; also available on Moodle)

Some questions to consider:

  • What does Aristotle think philosophy's purpose is?
  • How does Aristotle's answer to this question differ from the answers of Hobbes and Marx?
  • What does Nietzsche mean by the "intellectual conscience"? Is it the same thing as the moral conscience?

Part One: Plato, Meno: What is virtue?

Note that you are required to use the translation by Robert Bartlett listed in this syllabus. No exceptions!

Jan. 25 – Plutarch, “Life of Themistocles” (on Moodle). In order to reason about what virtue is we need some examples of it. Themistocles, who will be discussed in the Meno, has always been admired as one of the greatest of Greek leaders. What, then, were the virtues of Themistocles? Does he deserve his fame?

Jan. 27 – Meno 70a-72a

Feb. 1 – 72a-77a

Feb. 3 – 77a-79e. Read also “Xenophon’s Assessment of Meno” (in Bartlett's edition of the Meno, pp. 153-54. Also available as a separate file in Moodle)

Feb. 8 – 79e – 82b

Feb 10 – 82b-84d

Feb. 15 – 84d-86c

Feb. 17 – 86c-89c.

Feb. 22 – 89c-95a. Receive first paper assignment.

Feb. 24 – 95a-end.

Part Two: Kant, Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals

You are required to obtain a copy of the translation by Allen Wood listed in this syllabus. If you find this text too difficult you may read Jonathan Bennett’s version on www.earlymoderntexts.com (also on Moodle), but you must always bring the Wood edition to class.

March 1 – pp. 3-8. First paper due.

March 3 – pp. 9-20

March 8 – pp. 21-28 (to end of the last full paragraph)

March 10 – pp. 28-38 (to end of first full paragraph)

March 15 – pp. 38-44

March 17 – pp. 45-56

March 29 – pp. 57-65 (to end of first [incomplete] paragraph which ends “a member of the sensible world”. Receive second paper assignment.

March 31 – pp. 65-73

Part Three: J.S. Mill, Utilitarianism

You are required to obtain a copy of the Oxford World Classics edition listed in the syllabus. If you find this text too difficult you may read Jonathan Bennett’s version on www.earlymoderntexts.com (also on Moodle), but you must always bring the Oxford edition to class.

April 5 – pp. 115-122. Second paper due.

April 7 – pp. 122-131

April 12 – pp. 131-139.

April 14 – pp. 140-147. Receive third paper assignment.

April 19 – pp. 148-154.

April 21 – pp. 155-165. Third paper due.

April 26 – pp. 165-177

April 28 – Final thoughts and prep for exam