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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 101-3"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Philosophical Thinking"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: David Levy
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: 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:

All Western philosophy, it has been said, consists in a series of footnotes to Plato. Now it so happens that Plato’s mentor was Socrates, who was put on trial, convicted, and executed by the city of Athens for impiety and corrupting the youth. So the father of Western philosophy was the student of a convicted criminal! Of course, we today are quick to take the side of Socrates—the heroic inquirer after truth, cruelly persecuted by those narrow-minded, prejudiced Athenians. Yet closer inspection reveals that the arguments of Socrates’ accusers were not altogether frivolous. Socrates’ respect for traditional religion and for Athenian democracy was in fact open to doubt. This point had been powerfully made well before Socrates’ trial by the great comic poet Aristophanes, who in his play the Clouds had portrayed Socrates as both ridiculous and subversive. We will begin our course with this play, followed by several dialogues of Plato: the Euthyphro (on piety), the Apology (Socrates’ defense speech at his trial) and the Symposium or "Drinking Party" (on love, a dialogue in which Aristophanes himself is a major character). Our overarching focus will be on the question: can Socrates justify his way of life, the way of life of philosophy?

You will need to buy two textbooks for this course (in hard copy as the use of electronic devices in class is not permitted): Four Texts on Socrates and Symposium or Drinking Party. Buy only the specific editions listed on this syllabus. They will be available for purchase at the Almost Corner Bookshop, Via del Moro 45.

Please note that we will not hold class on Wednesday, January 17. We will make this class up on Friday, January 19 (same time and classroom).
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Gain experience in the art of careful reading. (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. Improve your capacity for clear and logical thinking speaking, and writing.

3. Gain a basic understanding of some major philosophical questions and of how those questions might be relevant to our lives today.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Four Texts on SocratesWestCornell9780801485749B316 .F68 1998  Almost Corner Bookstore 
SymposiumPlato, trans. Brann, Kalkavage, SalemFocus 9781585108435   Almost Corner Bookstore 
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Four Texts on SocratesWestCornell9780801485749  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Socrates on Friendship and CommunityMary NicholsCambridge 9780511480805https://jculibrary.on.worldcat.org/oclc/667001119See chap. 2, on the Symposium
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
class participation(1) Students are expected to attend all classes (barring a compelling reason for being absent, such as illness), to have done the assigned reading carefully, and to bring a hard copy of the reading to class. The use of electronic devices in class is not permitted. (2) A written reflection consisting of one well-crafted paragraph on the assigned reading is due every class, except when a paper is due. (If you are absent you may turn in two reflections the following class.) The reflection should explain a section of the reading or pose a good specific question, and should demonstrate that you have studied the text carefully and thoughtfully. Reflections will be graded as G (good), M (middling) and I (inadequate). Students will sometimes be asked to present their reflections to the class orally. Needless to say, your reflections, like all your academic productions, must be your own work; if you make use of outside sources you must give proper credit. The use of "generative AI" is not permitted. (3) Be punctual and do not leave the room during class except in cases of emergencies. Eating in class is not permitted (drinking is OK).20
3 papersApproximately 1200 words each. 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; papers which fail to do so will not be accepted. Please note that your papers may be submitted to Turnitin (a plagiarism detection program). The use of "generative AI" is not permitted.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

Jan. 15 Introduction

Jan. 17 NO CLASS (make-up on Friday, Jan. 19)

Jan. 19 (make-up class) Aristophanes, Clouds lines 1-217

Jan. 22 Clouds 218-517

Jan 24 Clouds 518-889

Jan 29 Clouds 890-1114

Jan 31 Clouds 1115-end. Receive assignment for paper 1.

Feb. 5 Plato, Euthyphro 2a-7a (= pages 41-48)

Feb 7 Euthyphro 7a-11e

Feb 9 (make-up class) Euthyphro 12a-end

Feb. 12 Plato, Apology of Socrates 17a-24a. Paper 1 due.

Feb 14 Apology 24b-30b

Feb 19 Apology 30c-35d

Feb 21 Apology 35e-end. Receive assignment for paper 2.

Mar 4 Read the Introduction to the “Symposium Study Guide” (on Moodle), then read Plato, Symposium 172-177e

Mar 6 Symposium 178a-180b. Paper 2 due.

Mar 11 Symposium 180c-185c

Mar 13 Symposium 185c-188e

Mar 18 Symposium 189a-193d.

Mar 20 Symposium 189a-193d (again!)

Mar 25 Symposium 193e-197e

Mar 27 Symposium 198a-201c

Apr 3 Symposium 201d-204c. To help clarify Diotima's statement at 204b that wisdom is beautiful, watch at least the first 3-4 minutes of this interview with the distinguished mathematician Gregory Chaitin on the love of beautiful mathematical proofs: https://youtu.be/JlbbFjAtDEM?si=RoHGQ8NHYEU5Otrx 

Apr 8 Symposium 204d-207a

Apr 10 Symposium 207a-209e. Receive assignment for paper 3.

Apr 15 Symposium 210a-213a. Then read “Alcibiades” (on Moodle)

Apr 17 Symposium 213a-216c

Apr 22 Symposium 216c-221b. Paper 3 due.

Apr 24 Symposium 221b-end