Introduction to Philosophy SUMMER II 6 WEEK , Harrisburg Area Community College Virtual Campus

Curiosity is, in great and generous minds, the first passion and the last. --DR Johnson, The Rambler, 1750-2

We are thinking beings, and we cannot exclude the intellect from participating in any of our functions. William James, Varieties of Religious Experience, 1902

Thoughts are the shadows of our feelings – always darker, emptier, and simpler. Nietzsche, The Gay Science, 1882-7

Instructor: Charles R. Comer Office Location: 213 J Rose Lehrman Hall

E-Mail: [email protected] & through D2L (This is the preferred means of communication. *I try to answer all emails in a timely fashion, but please allow up to two business days for a reply.

Email Policy: All of my D2L emails are funneled into my college email. When you email me please provide: your name, your class and section, a clear description of your request or question. Do not send me emails that look and read like a text message. Be thorough, clear, and formal.

Office Telephone: 717 780 2602 (NOTE: During the summer I am rarely in my office to answer the phone and receive messages. Please email me. We can arrange a phone or face to face meeting if needed.) Course: Philosophy 101: Introduction to Philosophy CRN: 1175

Meeting Time: The student is required to complete the weekly reading assignments, discussion posts, quizzes, and examinations within the time frames stated in this syllabus.

On Campus Office Hours: By appointment only. Please email me if you would like to arrange a face to face meeting or a phone call.

Texts: Cornford, F.M., Before and After Socrates, Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 978-0-521-09003-8

de Botton, Alain, The Consolations of Philosophy, Vintage Press, ISBN: 0-679-77917-5

Flynn, Thomas, Existentialism: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, ISBN: 978-0-19-280428-0

Nagel, Thomas, What Does it all Mean?, Oxford University Press, ISBN: 978-0-19-505216-9

Plato, The Last Days of Socrates, Penguin Classics, ISBN: 978-0-140-45549-6 OR Five Dialogues, Hackett Publishing, ISBN: 978-0-87220-633-5 ***You may use other editions that contain at least these dialogues: “The ”, “The ”, and “”. NOTE: Most copies of ’s dialogs, regardless of translation, include Stephanus Pagination, a system of pagination typically on the margins of the text. I will include these as needed.

Plus additional essays published on WebCT.

Educational Beliefs: All of us engage in philosophy in some form or other. The moment we ask why on any particular matter we begin the philosophical journey of reflection. In addition many of us—I may venture to say most, maybe all of us—have at some point ventured into the perennial philosophical questions: Who am I?; Does God exist, and, if so, how can we know?; How do we know what is good? And, why is there something instead of nothing? These and many more questions have beset people in thought since the beginning. But it is not enough sometime to merely ask the questions and answer by mere conjecture and opinion. Thus, philosophy aims to systematically deal with these and many other deep questions in a variety of fields such as ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophy of religion, to name only the major headings of philosophical subjects. In this course we will set out to explore some of the important questions that philosophers have posed since antiquity, and some of the means by which they have answered them. We shall not offer any definitive answers to these questions, for it is debatable whether or not there are answers. For that, I shall let you be the judge. Methods: As an online course, the student will be instructed through directed readings of the assigned text, along with supplemental material provided by the instructor, such as lecture notes, outlines, or other forms of media. Additionally, the student will participate in discussion boards that will allow them the opportunity to reflect upon the material and topics covered. And finally, students will take short quizzes based on vocabulary and key ideas, as well as substantial essay questions derived from the text and lecture notes.

Course Description: Classic philosophical problems are examined through classroom discussions and a wide range of historical readings. The foundations of Western philosophical thought are explored from such thinkers as Socrates, Descartes, Nietzsche, and Martin Luther King, Jr. (Core A)

Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

• Identify and explain the following: the purpose of philosophy, the major areas of philosophy such as metaphysics, epistemology, logic, ethics, political, and social philosophy, the major philosophical questions, their advocates, and historical contexts • Demonstrate critical thinking about self, society, and the universe through the identification of philosophical concepts and problems • Explain and defend philosophical positions through writing essays

Attendance: Regular attendance on the course site is required. All online quizzes and discussion posts will be completed during the required time periods. There will be one quiz per unit along with possible reflective writings other than papers.

Make up Work: Students will be permitted to make up quizzes, discussion posts, or examinations provided that the instructor approves the reasons for the late submission. Full or partial credit will be given at the instructor’s discretion.

Incomplete Grades: If extenuating circumstances arise, the student may be granted an “I” grade. Consult the student handbook for the stipulations for completing an “I” grade. Note that an I grade can only be granted in cases in which the majority of course work has been completed.

Withdrawal From the Course: The student wishing to withdraw from the course should contact the instructor as soon as possible and it can be arranged in accordance with AP 667. The student wishing for more information can consult the student handbook on this issue. Please do not assume that non-participation in the course will automatically lead to a withdrawal from the course by the instructor. Requesting a withdrawal is the student’s responsibility. **THE LAST DAY FOR FULL REFUND: (SEE COLLEGE CALENDAR)

Academic Dishonesty: While plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are theoretically a black and white issue, in reality these exist in a variety of shades of gray. Forgetting to cite a source of modest size may be excused or overlooked. Copying large sections of a paragraph or more without citation will likely result in a charge of plagiarism, resulting in a 0 (zero) for that assignment. This includes paraphrasing! Copy / paste plagiarism from websites, or submitting papers from term paper cites will not only result in a 0 (zero) for that assignment, but you will be reported to the dean and the infraction will go on your record. More than one count of plagiarism or dishonesty will result in failure in the course, reporting the infraction to the dean, and placement of infraction on your record. Please do not take chances!!!!! If you are uncertain about what is or is not plagiarism or academic dishonest, ask me!

The following will provide evaluation criteria for the student’s performance:

I am using a point system wherein there will be a potential to earn 1000 points. These points break down as follows:

1) Four unit tests...... 100pts each (400 pts) 2) Two papers ...... 200pts each (400 pts) 3) Flex points for discussions, small assignments, and mini-quizzes. Values of each will be announced on the new s feed.

Schedule

Because this is a short semester the course is divided into two halves. I am retaining units of study just for ease and to make the quizzes a bit smaller. The most important thing is to read a little each day, and when you are ready to take a quiz do it without delay. You will hear this again and again, and it deserves repeating: Do not wait until the last minute to take your quizzes and write your papers.

FIRST HALF: July 6 – July 27 – All tests and papers must be completed and submitted by July 27

UNIT ONE: Origins: Greek Philosophy Before and After Socrates

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:

• What is Philosophy?. Notes posted to News feed.

• Chapter One is Before and After Socrates (BAS), pgs. 1-28.

• Socrates. BAS, pgs. 29-53.

• The Euthyphro and The Apology in Plato.

• Handouts on Socrates’ methods. • Plato, BAS, pgs. 54-84

• Phaedo (Selections) in PLATO. I will either post or distribute notes on these readings.

UNIT TWO: The Scope of Philosophy

• Knowledge, Minds, & Bodies. Read What does it All Mean? (WDAM) pgs. 3-37. Look out for lecture notes on some of these issues.

• Corporeality, Language, & Freedom. WDAM, pgs. 27-58 There will be notes particularly on Ethics

• Death & Life, WDAM, pgs. 87-95

END OF FIRST HALF. ALL WORK MUST BE COMPLETED BY JULY 27.

SECOND HALF – JULY 27- AUGUST 14 NOTE: All work for second half MUST be completed by the MORNING of AUGUST 14. I will commence grading all ungraded work that morning, and will submit grades shortly thereafter.

UNIT THREE: Themes: Existentialism.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:

• Philosophy as a Way of Life. Read Existentialism, A Very Short Introduction, (EVSI) pgs. 1-23.

• Becoming an Individual. . EVSI, pgs. 24-44

• Humanism: For and Against. EVSI, pgs. 45-62 Authenticity. EVSI, pgs. 63-80

• Additional readings TBA

UNIT FOUR: Special Topics: Philosophy as Wisdom Tradition & Therapy

For the remainder of the course, July 27 – Aug. 14, please read the following chapters from The Consolations of Philosophy. This looks like a lot but this is easy and interesting reading. I have always really loved this book, and I hope you do, too.

• The Consolation for Unpopularity, Socrates, Consolations of Philosophy (COP), pgs. 1-42

• The Consolation for Not Having Enough Money, Epicurus, COP, pgs. 43 – 72

• The Consolation for Frustration, Seneca, COP, pgs. 73 – 112; • The Consolation for Inadequacy, Montaigne COP pgs. 113-168

• The Consolation for Difficulties, Nietzsche, COP pgs. 203 – 244

All work for this unit MUST be completed by the morning of AUGUST 14. No exceptions. Grades are due shortly thereafter.

Thank you all for a great semester!!

STUDENTS IN NEED OF ACCOMMODATIONS:

Students with disabilities who are in need of accommodations should contact the campus disability coordinator listed below. Coordinators for each campus are listed here:

http://www.hacc.edu/Students/DisabilityServices/Contact-Disability-Services.cfm

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HACC—Virtual Learning

Deborah Bybee Disability C oordinator, Services 104F 735 C um berland Street Lebanon, PA 17042 - 270Phone:-6333 717 E m ail: dabybee@ hacc.edu