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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 101"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Philosophical Thinking"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session II 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Paul Gaffney
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 1:30 PM 3:20 PM
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:

The course is divided into five units; each week covers one unit.

1.     The first unit is the distinctiveness of philosophy as a discipline. We begin with the early speculations of the Pre-Socratic cosmologists, who sought to discover the principle of all reality. They were truly philosophical as they sought answers that were ultimate and comprehensive. We will transition to the moral quest of Socrates in 5th century BCE Athens. We will consider what kind of wisdom philosophy represents, how it compares to other kinds of wisdom, and whether or not it is inherently impious.

2.     The second unit is philosophy, modern science, and the paradigms of thought. Continuing our study of Socrates, we consider his mission and his role in the city: Was Athens was right to execute Socrates? Was he foolish to believe he was immortal and had nothing to fear from the powerful men in Athens? Is there evidence for non-material realities, such as God and the human soul? Does the development of the universe exhibit a design or purpose of any kind, or is it completely random?

3.     The third unit is philosophy and subjectivity. We will study the new approach to philosophy made by Rene Descartes, who is often called the father of modern philosophy. Descartes subjects all his experiences and opinions to radical doubt trying to locate something of which he can be certain. How do I know for certain that I know something?

4.     The fourth unit studies philosophy and power. Here we are concerned with the problem of anarchy and the creation of the modern state. We will consider Thomas Hobbes’ assertion that the natural condition of humankind is a universal war of all against all. How can we coexist peaceably? What is the meaning of justice in this world? Are there natural moral obligations in the world, or is everything a construction by the powerful?

5.     The fifth unit is philosophy and self-creation. We will examine the post-modern approach to human experience.  Existentialist philosophers emphasize radical freedom and the conventionality of all values. What does truth mean in such a world? How do we create meaning in a meaningless world?

 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

·       Students will gain basic literacy about the discipline of philosophy through an examination of some classic texts and basic questions

·       Students will learn what makes a question specifically philosophical, and what qualifies as an adequate answer to such a question.

·       Argumentation is central to philosophy as we strive to demonstrate the reasonableness of our values and convictions. Students will learn how arguments are constructed, how premises connect to conclusions, and how flawed arguments fail.

·       Students will gain an appreciation of the different approaches to and understandings of the discipline of philosophy. What is philosopphical wisdom and how does it compare to other intellectual achievements? 

 

 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, PhaedoPlatoHackett978-0-87220-633-5 These Platonic dialogues are readily available in many editions and in PDFs online. Any edition is acceptable but you must have the reading materials with you in every class. Hard Copy  
Discourse on Method and Meditations on First PhilosophyDescartesHackett978-0-87220-420-1 Any edition of the Meditations is acceptable, either as a hard copy or ebook. Hard Copy  
Existentialism from Dostoesvsky to SartreKaufmanPlume978-0-452-00930-1 We will read some chpaters and excerpts from this collection, some of which I will supply in class. All of the excerpts are readily available online.Hard Copy  
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Pre-Socratic and Socrates ExaminationMonday July 14, in class (first hour)15%
Paradigms of Thought ExaminationMonday July 21, in class (first hour)15%
Descartes ExaminationMonday July 28, in class (first hour)15%
Hobbes ExaminationMonday August 4, in class (first hour) 15%
Existentialism ExaminationFriday August 8, in class (n.b. this is not a comprehensive examination) 15%
Five short reflection papersA short (300-400 words) reflection essay on an assigned question will be due each Thursday of the Summer Session. Each individual essay will be worth 5% for a combined total of 25% of the final grade. A prompt question or theme will be distributed on the previous Monday. These are written assignments to be completed and handed in at class time. 25%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
I expect perfect, or near perfect, attendance. Classroom participation is an essential part of the course and may positively impact your final grade.
N.B. All the readings are classic texts in Philosophy. If you have access to other editions, or if you can find them in less expensive editions, it is perfectly okay to use other texts/translations. It is, however, imperative that you have these texts and that you bring the one we are studying that day to class.
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

WEEK I: July 7-10

·       Readings for the week: Pre-Socratic Cosmology and Plato’s Euthyphro

·       Thursday July 10: First Reflection Essay due at class time

 

WEEK II: July 14-17

·       Readings for the week: Plato’s Apology, Crito, and Phaedo

·       Monday July 14: First Examination (in class, first hour) on Pre-Socratic Cosmology and Plato’s Euthyphro

·       Thursday July 17: Second Reflection Essay due at class time

 

 WEEK III: July 21-24

·       Readings for the week: Descartes’ Meditations

·       Monday July 21: Second Examination (in class, first hour) on Plato’s Apology, Crito, and Phaedo

·       Thursday July 24: Third Reflection Essay due at class time

 

WEEK IV: July 28-31

·       Readings for the week: Hobbes’ Leviathan, Part One, cc. 1-14

·       Monday July 28: Third Examination (in class, first hour) on Descartes’ Meditations

·       Thursday July 31: Fourth Reflection Essay due at class time

 

 WEEK V: August 4-8

·       Readings for the week: Selections from Kaufman’s Existentialism

·       Monday August 4: Fourth Examination (in class, first hour on Hobbes’ Leviathan

·       Thursday August 7: Fifth Reflection Essay due at class time

·       Friday August 8: Fifth Examination on Kaufman’s Existentialism