Introduction to Philosophy

Fall 2010 Schedule

INTRODUCTION

9/2 R Introduction. Arguments
9/7 T Arguments and Fallacies. Philosophy: what it is and what it’s good for.
Read: Weston, Chs. 1-6, 10

KNOWLEDGE OF THE EXTERNAL WORLD

9/9 R Section Introduction. Skepticism. Read: Descartes (Meditations, 1-2)
9/14 T Rationalism. Read: Descartes (Meditations, 3-6)
9/16 R Empiricism. Read: Locke
9/21 T Problem of Induction. Read: Hume (pp. 199-213, 220-222)
9/23 R Belief and Science. Read: Kitcher
9/28 T Review.
9/30 R EXAM 1

MIND–BODY PROBLEM

10/5 T Section Introduction.
10/7 R Dualism. Reread: Descartes (Meditations, 3 & 6)
10/12 T Materialism. Read: Carruthers
10/14 R Materialism.
10/19 T Behaviorism, Materialism, and Functionalism. Read: Churchland
10/21 R AI and Minds. Read: Turing
10/26 T Robots and Minds. Read: Lycan
10/28 R Review.
11/2 T EXAM 2

FREE WILL

 
11/4 R Section Introduction.
11/9 T Determinism. Read: Holbach
11/11 R Compatibilism. Read: Stace
11/16 T Libertarianism. Read: Kane

PERSONAL IDENTITY

11/18 R Psychological. Read: Locke, Reid “Of Mr. Locke’s Account…"
11/23 T Common Sense. Read: Reid, “Of Identity”
11/25 R THANKSGIVING
11/30 T Skepticism about Unity. Read: Hume
12/2 R Bundle Theory. Read: Parfit
12/7 T Survival after Death. Read: Perry
12/9 R Survival after Death
12/14 T Review.
     

FINAL EXAM (EXAM 3)

Lec 1   SAT., DECEMBER 18, 10:00a
Lec 2   WED., DECEMBER 22, 1:00p
     
*This schedule is subject to change.