PHIL – U258 – Philosophical Anthropology (Sections 1 and 2) Spring 2014 When: Section 1 – 9:30 – 10:20 Section 2 – 2:30 – 3:20 Where: Section 1 – Communications/Music 303 Section 2 – Bobet Hall 214B Instructor: Joshua Lott Office: Bobet Hall 439A Office Hours: MW 3:30-5, TTH 12 – 5, and by Appointment Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Phone: X2258

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The central question of this course is, “What does it mean to be a human being?” We will address this question by critically examining readings from a wide variety of sources. We will begin with the Ancient Greek Perspectives of Plato and Aristotle. Next, we will read selections from Ancient Religious traditions – The Analects of Confucius and the Judeo-Christian Bible. Next, we will examine writings from Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Rousseau, each thinker representing one side of the conservative/liberal interpretation of human motivation. Then, we will immerse ourselves in an in-depth examination of Evolutionary theories, beginning with Darwin’s discoveries and tracing their permutations through genetics, behaviorism, and sociobiology. Next, we will survey the thought of several key 19th and 20th Century figures, focusing on Marx, Nietzsche, Freud, and Sartre. We will conclude the course with an examination of the major themes in the thought of Immanuel Kant.

For a more detailed description of the purpose of this course, consult the Department of Philosophy: Goals & Learning Objectives for Upper Level Philosophy Common Curriculum Courses:http://chn.loyno.edu/system/files/goalsadvancedcc_000.PDF This course is designed to satisfy Objectives 1, 2, 4,and 5. It has also been designed to satisfy the College’s Common Curriculum Objectives by helping students to develop 1) effective skills in research, writing, speaking, reading, and listening; 2) critical and analytical reasoning skills required to solve abstract and concrete problems; 3) an understanding of philosophical traditions; 4) a commitment to social justice characteristic of the Judeo-Christian tradition and the Jesuit mission; 5) the fullest capacity for intellectual and spiritual growth; 6) an awareness of the connections among disciplines; 7) the ability to reflect on and critique the presupposed values latent within our world, our commitments, our beliefs, our methodologies, our institutions and our courses of study. This is an introductory and foundational course that meets the College’s goal for Introductory Common Curriculum to foster critical reflection on values.

REQUIRED TEXT

Twelve Theories of Human Nature (6th Ed.), Leslie Stevenson, David Haberman, and Peter Matthews Right. ISBN: 9780199859030 New: $44.95 Used: $33.75 *All of the additional readings will be posted on Blackboard.

ASSESSMENT:

Critical Reflections – 10% Term Paper – 20% 1-2 Page Outline – Due 1/31 1st Draft – Due 2/28 2nd Draft – Due 3/31 Final Draft – Due Wednesday, May 7th, 2014, by 5:00 p.m. Midterm Exam – 35% Final Exam – 35%

FINAL EXAM TIMES: Section 1 – Wednesday, May 7th, 2014, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Section 2 – Monday, May 5th, 2014, 2:00 p.m. – 4 p.m.

All students are expected to attend every class. However, the instructor realizes that life is unpredictable and often emergencies demanding immediate attention will arise. Thus, each student is allowed 4 absences, no questions asked, no penalties. After 4 absences, each subsequent absence will lower that student’s final grade by 1 point. Exceptions can be made only if a student provides written documentation of a legitimate excuse (such as a doctor’s note for illness, an obituary of a suitably close relative, a written summons for jury duty, etc.). All students are required to submit periodic reflection papers on video clips connected with course material addressing specific prompts provided by the instructor. Even though I do not “grade” the reflections, they should be at least 300 words, double spaced in order to be credited to a student’s grade. Students are required to submit 10 critical reflections during the semester. In addition, all students are required to submit a 6-8 page term paper by the end of the semester. Several rough drafts must be submitted during the semester. I will provide further information on this assignment. Lastly, all students must complete two exams, a Midterm and a Final. Prior to each exam, review questions will be made available to students and a review session will be held. Each exam will be written directly from the review questions. Students who miss the scheduled Midterm will be allowed to take a make-up exam only if they provide written documentation of a legitimate reason for their absence.

THE SEVEN COMMANDMENTS OF CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE

All students are expected to obey the following rules:

(1) Thou shalt come to class on time. (2) Thou shalt not leave the classroom unless dismissed by the instructor. (3) Thou shalt not sleep in class. (4) Thou shalt not read in class. (5) Thou shalt not speak while the instructor is speaking. (6) Thou shalt not text in class. (7) Thou shalt not use laptops in class except to take notes.

EMERGENCY CLOSURES AND/OR EVACUATIONS

At times, ordinary university operations are interrupted as a result of tropical storms, hurricanes, or other emergencies that require evacuation or suspension of on-campus activities. To prepare for such emergencies, all students will do the following during the first week of classes:

1. Practice signing on for each course through Blackboard.

2. Provide regular and alternative e-mail address and phone contact information to each instructor.

In the event of an interruption to our course due to emergency requiring an evacuation or suspension of campus activities, students will:

3. Pack textbooks, assignments, syllabi and any other needed materials for each course and bring during an evacuation/suspension.

4. Keep up with course work during the evacuation/suspension as specified on course syllabi and on-line Blackboard courses.

5. Complete any reading and/or writing assignments given by professors before emergency began.

Assuming a power source is available….

6. Log on to university Web site within 48 hours of an evacuation/suspension.

7. Monitor the main university site (www.loyno.edu) for general information.

8. Log on to each course through Blackboard or e-mail within 48 hours of an evacuation/suspension to receive further information regarding contacting course instructors for assignments, etc.

9. Complete Blackboard and/or other online assignments posted by professors (students are required to turn in assignments on time during the evacuation/suspension period and once the university campus has reopened.

10. Contact professors during an evacuation/suspension (or as soon as classes resume on campus) to explain any emergency circumstances that may have prevented them from completing expected work.

Further information about student responsibilities in emergencies is available on the Academic Affairs web site: http://academicaffairs.loyno.edu/students-emergency-responsibilities

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR DISABILITIES

Students with disabilities who wish to receive accommodations for this course should contact Disability Services at 865-2990 as soon as possible, so that necessary and legitimate accommodations can be provided in a timely manner. Disability Services are located in the Academic Resource Center, Monroe Hall 405.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

The MLA Handbook loosely defines “Plagiarism” as “… repeating another’s sentences as your own, adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own, paraphrasing someone else’s argument as your own, or even presenting someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a thesis as though it were your own,” (1985). I will follow the Philosophy Department’s policy on academic dishonesty in this course. The policy states that cases of plagiarism and/or dishonesty will be subject to all three of the following penalties:

(1) A report of the incident to the Department Chair and the Associate Dean (2) A grade of zero on the assignment in question (3) A grade of “F” for the course

Philosophical Anthropology – Tentative Schedule

1/6 – Introduction, Socrates – The Delphic Maxims 1/8 – Plato – The Socratic Method 1/10 – Plato – The Forms, The Immortality of the Soul 1/13 – Plato – The Ring of Gyges, The Just City, Scenes from Rivermen 1/15 – Fromm – The Syndrome of Decay, The , “” 1/17 – Aristotle – Comparison to Plato, Metaphysics, 1/22 – Aristotle – The Soul 1/24 – Aristotle – Virtue and Eudaimonia 1/27 – Scenes from Mr. Brooks and Dexter’s “Born Free” 1/29 – Confucius – The Way of the Sages 1/31 – Mencius and Hsun-Tzu – Is Human Nature Good or Evil?, 1-2 Page Outline Due 2/3 – The Bible – The Story of Creation, The Old Testament 2/5 – The Bible – The Mission of Christ, The New Testament, Paul’s Letter to the Romans 2/7 – The Temptations of Christ and Seven Deadly Sins Dostoevski – The Grand Inquisitor Kierkegaard – Teleological Suspension of the Ethical, , “” 2/10 – Machiavelli and Hobbes, The Twilight Zone, “It’s a Good Life” 2/12 – Rousseau – The Natural Goodness of Man, The Twilight Zone: The Movie, “It’s a Good Life” Remake 2/14 – Review for Midterm Exam 2/17 – MIDTERM EXAM 2/19 – Darwin – Theses of Evolutionary Theory, The Discovery of Natural Selection 2/21 – Darwinian Theories – Early Permutations of Evolutionary Theory and Development of Social Sciences 2/24 – Darwinian Theories – Contemporary Evolutionary Schools of Thought 2/26 – The Intelligent Design Movement 2/28 – Introduction to Marx, The Twilight Zone, “,” Draft 1 Due 3/3 – 3/7 – MARDI GRAS HOLIDAY 3/10 – Marx – Historical Materialism and the Economic Basis of Humanity 3/12 – Marx – An Assessment, The Twilight Zone, “” 3/14 – Schopenhauer – Pessimistic Idealism 3/17 – Nietzsche – Life Affirmation, The Will to Power, The Death of God 3/19 – Nietzsche – The Critique of Platonism, Christianity, and Traditional Morality 3/21 – Nietzsche – Eternal Return of the Same, The Ubermensch Ian Brady – A Nietzschean Ubermensch? Scenes from No Country for Old Men 3/24 – Freud – Background, The Discovery of the Unconscious 3/26 – Freud – The Instincts, The Trinity of Personality, Repression 3/28 – Freud – Critique of Religion and Civilization 3/31 – Scenes from Hannibal, Draft 2 Due 4/2 – Sartre – Existentialism and Phenomenology, The Impossibility of God, Being-in-Itself/Being-for-Itself 4/4 – Sartre – Bad Faith, Existential Ethics Fromm, Fear of Freedom and the Mechanisms of Escape 4/7 – Heidegger – Death and Authenticity Ernest Becker – The Morbidly-Minded Argument, Scenes from Fight Club, The Life of David Gale, Saw II, and The Dark Knight 4/9 – MacIntyre, Ricoeur, and Taylor – Alternative Senses of “Self” 4/11 – Kant – Background, The Need for Reason to Dominate, Transcendental Ego, Scenes from Hero 4/14 – 4/21 – EASTER HOLIDAYS 4/23 – Kant – Goodwill, The Categorical Imperative 4/25 – Kant – Ethico-Theology, The Possibility of the Highest Good 4/28 – Plato Revisited, Scenes from Breaking Bad, “Gliding Over All” 4/30 – Review for FINAL EXAM

Schedule of Readings – Tentative 1/6 Recommended Readings: Leslie Stevenson, “Introduction: Rival Theories and Critical Assessment,” in Twelve Theories of Human Nature (hereafter TT) Louis Pojman, “Socrates and the Sophists” 1/8 Leslie Stevenson, “Plato: The Rule of Reason,” in TT, Ch. 4 Plato, The Apology (Selections) and Meno (Selection) 1/10 Plato, Phaedo (Selections) and Republic BK I and IV (Selections) 1/13 Plato, Republic BK II, VII, and VIII (Selections) 1/15 Fromm, The Heart of Man (Selections) Recommended Reading: Noel Carrol, “Tales of Dread in The Twilight Zone: A Contribution to Narratology” 1/17 Leslie Stevenson, “Aristotle: The Ideal of Human Fulfillment,” in TT, Ch. 5 1/22 Aristotle, De Anima (Selections) 1/24 Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics (Selections) and Politics (Selections) 1/26 Recommended Reading: Article from Dexter and Philosophy (TBA) 1/29 David Haberman, “Confucius: The Way of the Sages,” in TT, Ch. 1 Confucius, The Analects (Selections) 1/31 Mencius, “Human Nature is Good,” in Stevenson Hsun-Tzu, “Human Nature is Evil,” in Stevenson 2/3 Leslie Stevenson, “The Bible: Humanity in Relation to God,” in TT, Ch. 6 Genesis, Ch. 1 – 3 Augustine, The Confessions, BK II (Selections) Recommended Readings: Louis Pojman, “Augustine’s Theory of Human Nature” Roger Trigg, “Aquinas” 2/5 St. Paul, Romans and 1st Corinthians (Selections), in Stevenson 2/7 Clyde Crews, “Christ: The Ultimate Questioner” and “Transformation: The Consequences of Belief” Dostoevski, “The Grand Inquisitor” Kierkegaard, Fear and Trembling (Selections) 2/10 Machiavelli, The Prince (Selections), in Barash Hobbes, Leviathan (Selections), in Stevenson Recommended Reading: Louis Pojman, “Classical Conservative and Classical Liberal Theories of Human Nature: Hobbes and Rousseau” 2/12 Rousseau, Discourse on the Origin of Inequality (Selections), in Barash Emile (Selection), in Stevenson Recommended Reading: Matt Ridley, “The Origins of Virtue,” in Stevenson 2/19 Leslie Stevenson, “Darwinian Theories of Human Nature,” in TT, Ch. 12, pp. 245-56 Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man, in Stevenson 2/21 Leslie Stevenson, “Darwinian Theories of Human Nature,” in TT, Ch. 12, pp. 256-66 Emile Durkheim, Rules of the Sociological Method (Selection), in Barash Franz Boas, The Mind of Primitive Man (Selection) , in Barash Alfred Kroeber, The Superorganic (Selection), in Barash John Watson, Behaviorism (Selection), in Barash B.F. Skinner, Beyond Freedom and Dignity (Selection), in Barash Griffin, Animal Minds (Selection), in Barash 2/24 Leslie Stevenson, “Darwinian Theories of Human Nature,” in TT, Ch. 12, pp. 266-77 Konrad Lorenz, On Aggression (Selection), in Stevenson E.O Wilson, On Human Nature (Selection), in Stevenson Richard Dawkins, The Selfish Gene (Selection), in Barash Steven Pinker, The Language Instinct (Selection), in Barash Noam Chomsky, “Language and The Human Mind,” in Stevenson Recommended Readings: Rose, Lewontin, and Kamin, Not in our Genes: Biology, Ideology, and Human Nature (Selection) Henry Bracken, “Essence, Accident, and Race” (Both in Stevenson) 2/26 Michael Denton, Nature’s Destiny (Selections) 3/10 Leslie Stevenson, “Marx: The Economic Basis of Human Societies,” in TT, Ch. 9 Marx, “The Materialist Theory of History” and “Consciousness and the Division of Labor,” in Stevenson Comments on James Mill (Selection), in Barash The Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844 (Selection), in Barash The Grundrisse (Selection), in Barash Das Kapital (Selection), in Barash Thesis on Feuerbach (Selection), in Loptson 3/14 Louis Pojman, “Schopenhauer: Pessimistic Idealism” Schopenhauer, Readings TBA 3/17 Roger Trigg, “Nietzsche” Nietzsche, “Epigrams and Arrows,” in Twilight of the Idols “Maxims and Interludes,” in Beyond Good and Evil The Gay Science, “The Madman” 3/19 Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols, “The Problem of Socrates” and “Reason in Philosophy” The Anti-Christ (Selection) Thus Spoke Zarathustra (Selection) Beyond Good and Evil (Selection) The Genealogy of Morals (Selection) 3/21 Ian Brady, The Gates of Janus (Chapters 1 – 2) David Schmid, “A Philosophy of Serial Killing: Sade, Nietzsche, and Brady at the Gates of Janus” Recommended Reading: Douglas McFarland, “No Country for Old Men as Moral Philosophy” 3/24 Leslie Stevenson, “Freud: The Unconscious Basis of the Mind,” in TT, Ch. 10 3/26 Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams (Selection), in Barash The Ego and the Id (Selection), in Barash Recommended Reading: B.A. Farrell, “A Reconstruction of Freud’s Mature Theory,” in Stevenson 3/28 Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents (Selections), in Barash Future of an Illusion (Selections) Totem and Taboo (Selections), in Barash 4/2 Louis Pojman, “The Existentialist Theory of Human Nature” Leslie Stevenson, “Sartre: Radical Freedom,” in TT, Ch. 11 Sartre, Existentialism is a Humanism (Selections), in Stevenson Descartes, Discourse on Method (Selection), in Stevenson 4/4 Fromm, Escape from Freedom (Selections) The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness (Selections) 4/7 Heidegger, Being and Time (Selection) Ernest Becker, The Denial of Death (Selection) 4/9 Alasdair MacIntyre, After Virtue (Selection) Paul Ricoeur, Onself as Another (Selection) Charles Taylor, The Sources of the Self (Selection) 4/11 Leslie Stevenson, “Kant: Reasons and Causes, Morality and Religion,” in TT, Ch. 8 Kant, The Critique of Pure Reason (Selections), in Barash The Critique of Practical Reason (Selections), in Barash Recommended Readings: Locke, Essay Concerning Human Understanding (Selection), in Barash Hume, Treatise of Human Nature (Selection), in Stevenson 4/23 Kant, Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals (Selections) 4/25 Kant, Anthropology from a Pragmatic Standpoint (Selections), in Stevenson Religion within the Limits of Reason (Selections), in Stevenson The Metaphysics of Morals, “Doctrine of Virtue,” in Stephens 4/28 Recommended Reading: Article from Breaking Bad and Philosophy TBA