Philosophy 251: Introduction to Philosophy Dr. Stephen H. Daniel Get a syllabus before or after class Get a textbook Locate your graduate instructor Ty Camp: sections 502, 503, 508 Benjamin Craig: sections 504, 505, 507 Michael Long: sections 501, 506, 509

To Do Well in the Course l l Read the textbook before class l l Make an outline that combines notes from your readings and class notes l l Website: ~sdaniel/251sy07c.htmlhttp://philosophy.tamu.edu/ ~sdaniel/251sy07c.html l l Visit the instructor and TAs during office hours or call or us

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 (premises) that make a conclusion probable or necessary l l A sound argument is deductive and valid (the conclusion follows necessarily) and its premises are true l l Beware of prejudicial reasoning and criticizing arguments because of who defends them