Introduction to Philosophy

Instructor: Darren Hudson Hick SKN 1106Office Hours: Tu/Th 2:00-3:00pm Teaching Assistants: Michael Cifone 0104, 0106, 0107 SKN 1108BOffice Hours: TBD Wesley VanCamp 0101, 0108, 0109 SKN 1107DOffice Hours: Tu 1:30-3:30 Lisa Leininger 0102, 0103, 0105 SKN 1121Office Hours: Fr 1:30-3:30

Course Overview An introduction to the principles, concepts, methods, and applications of Western philosophy, dealing with such topics as the value of philosophy, the meaning of life, the existence of God, the nature of the world and our knowledge of it, and approaches to ethical problems. Course Goals 1.To familiarize you with some of the core areas of Western analytic philosophy, including theories, arguments, counter- arguments, and applications. 2.To help you to develop your ability to rationally evaluate, understand, and construct arguments in these core areas and elsewhere. “What Am I Getting Myself Into?”

Philosophy Phil100 Phil170Phil140 “What Am I Getting Myself Into?” Logic Metaphysics Epistemology Ethics Aesthetics Political Philosophy Philosophy of Religion Philosophy of Mind Philosophy of Science Philosophy of Language Philosophy of Mathematics Objects and Properties Personal Identity Space and Time Normative Ethics Metaethics Applied Ethics Philosophy of Physics Philosophy of Biology Philosophy of Chemistry Western vs. Eastern Philosophy Analytic vs. Continental Philosophy

First Paper: 20% Second Paper: 25% Mid-term Exam: 20% Final Exam: 25% Quizzes: 10% 100% Course Requirements Term Papers Exams Quizzes Late Papers & Absences Special Accommodations Classroom Courtesy Academic Integrity Course Textbook $69.11 (+$16.50) on Amazon.com $73.95 (+$16.50) on Barnesandnoble.com Other Readings

Class Schedule Materials must be read before the day for which they are listed. Readings may be subject to change. 01/29/07Introduction 01/31/07Arguments 02/05/08-02/07/08Why Philosophy? 02/12/08-02/14/08The Meaning of Life 02/19/08-02/28/08The Existence of God 03/04/08-03/13/08The World & Our Knowledge of It 03/17/08-03/21/08Spring Break 03/25/08Mid-Term Exam

03/27/08-04/08/08The World & Our Knowledge of It 04/10/08-04/15/08Ethics: Utilitarianism 04/17/08-04/22/08 Ethics: Kantian Ethics 04/24/08-04/29/08Ethics: Virtue Ethics 05/01/08-05/08/08Ethics: Subjectivism & Relativism 05/13/08Exam Review Final Exam