Philosophy 251: Introduction to Philosophy Dr. Stephen H. Daniel Get a syllabus before or after class Get a textbook Locate your graduate instructor Craig Gonzales: sections 502, 503, 509 Heinrik Hellwig: sections 504, 505, 506 Kyle Mask: sections 501, 507, 508 Jake Greenblum: sections 510, 511, 512

To Do Well in the Course l l Read the textbook before class l l Make an outline that combines notes from your reading of the text, website summary, and class notes l l Website: ~sdaniel/251sy06c.htmlhttp://philosophy.tamu.edu/ ~sdaniel/251sy06c.html l l Visit the instructor and TAs during office hours or call or us

The PHIL 251 Website: 251sy06c.html 251sy06c.html The PHIL 251 Website: 251sy06c.html 251sy06c.html This site contains: l l the syllabus l l outlines for each class l l past test questions l l links to the textbook companion site and instructor contacts

Course Requirements l l Read the assigned material l l Come to lectures and Friday discussions l l Take the Friday quizzes l l Take the true/false, multiple- choice mid-semester and final exam l l Extra points: short essay questions

Misconceptions of Philosophy l l Philosophy deals only with abstractions; it is not concrete or practical l l Philosophy is just a game arguing about words l l Philosophy is only an expression of personal opinions

How Philosophy Differs From Religion, Science, and Law Philosophy challenges believers to explain and defend claims of religious truth Philosophy questions the assumptions and procedures of science Philosophy does not merely accept social beliefs or laws; it asks how they are justified

Philosophy: the Pursuit of Wisdom Born of wonder: Why are we here? Does God exist? Why is there evil? Do plants have feelings? What is happiness? Aim: to clarify ideas and evaluate the reasons given to justify beliefs: What do you mean? How do you know?

A Little Logic l l A philosophical argument aims to provide reasons that make a conclusion probable (inductively) or necessary (deductively) l l A sound argument is deductive and valid (the conclusion follows necessarily) and its premises are true l l Ways to critique arguments: counterexample, show confusion of necessary and sufficient conditions, reduce argument to absurdity