Introduction to Philosophy (Phi 101)

Fall 2016

Overview

X We will be trying to solve philosophical puzzles that concern important aspects of

our lives. Our attention is therefore on thinking, rather than reading or knowing
about great philosophers. The module is crafted around that aim. You should
expect to have many opportunities to work out your views and to express them
clearly to the rest of us. At the end of it all, we may become wiser and enjoy
thinking.

Aim of module

X To develop intellectual independence. This includes the ability to philosophically

reflect on fundamental questions of life and constructively engage other people.
The intended by-products of the module are interest in philosophy, stronger
general thinking and writing skills.

Instructor

Name: Jason Phan

Email: mortalquestions@gmail.com
Class & consultation hours:

X Class: 12-1.30pm (Tue & Thu)

X Consultation: 1.30-3pm (Tue & Thu)

Materials

Textbook & additional readings

X The textbook for this course is James and Stuart Rachels’ Problems from Philosophy,
3rd edition. It’s available in the bookshop and library. I recommend that you buy
used copies from other students.

X Readings will either be in the textbook or on the Readings page of module blog.
Some readings are introductory while others are meant to deepen your exposure to
various issues. It would be good to read them all but they aren’t necessary to
understand the core issues we are tackling. I recommend reading at least one
reading on each topic.
Our Blog

X You can find administrative details and course materials on the blog. The blog
address is: mortalq.wordpress.com

Slides

X All slides will be uploaded onto our blog after the class. You will not gain much from
reading the slides before class. Instead, much will be lost – there is a ‘storyline’ to
each class meeting, which will be spoilt if the slides are made available before class.

Class meetings

X The point of these meetings is for us to make progress together in understanding

the issues. Do keep in mind that the aim of this course is to help you philosophise; it
is not to inform you what various great thinkers have thought. Typically, we will be
arguing with each other in very pleasant ways about issues of grave importance.
You can usually expect me to first explain why an issue is important yet perplexing,
and close the meeting by reviewing our discussion in the light of prominent
theories.

Consultations

X After each class meeting, I will be available for at least 90 minutes to continue
discussions, or to work with you on anything related to the course.

Assessment

Participation (10%)

X This includes class participation and evidence of a keen learning attitude.

Short responses (50%)

X 2 responses to given questions (400-600 word, 20% each)

X 1 review of another student’s response (300 word, 10%)
X Due between weeks 4-11. Specific dates to be announced.

Final essay (40%)

X 1500-word argumentative essay on a topic related to the module (Due: end of week
13)
Details on these items will be given at the start of semester. You can also find them on
the ‘Assignments’ page on the blog.

Grading scheme
X The maximum score possible in this module is 100%. The range for each grade is
listed below. The bell curve will not be used in this module.

A 85% - 100%
A- 80% - 84.9%
B+ 75% - 79.9%
B 70% - 74.9%
B- 65% - 69.9%
C+ 60% - 64.9%
C 55% - 59.9%
C- 50% - 54.9%
D 45% - 49.9%
F 44% and below

Topics & Schedule

Introduction to Philosophy (Week 1)

• Overview of module
• How is philosophy related to other disciplines?

Recommended reading
• The Legacy of Socrates, in PoP, p. 1-9.

What is philosophy? (Week 1-3)

• Is lying wrong?
• What is love?
• Does marriage make sense?
• What is success?

Recommended readings
• The Meaning of Life, in PoP, p. 166-175.
• Love, by all accounts, by Stump
 • An argument against marriage, by Moller
• The meaning of life, by Taylor

How should I live? (Week 3-5)

• Why should I treat my friends well?
• Why should I be moral?
• What is morality?
• Are there moral facts?
• Can science explain morality?

Recommended readings
• Ethics and Objectivity, in PoP, p. 139-152.
• Elements of Moral Philosophy, by Rachels, in Pojman, p. 358-66.
• Why Should We Be Moral?, in PoP, p. 153-165.
• Tit for Tat, by Singer, p. 152-81.

Am I free? (Week 6-7)

• Moral luck or responsibility?
• Are we free?
• What if our choices were caused?

Recommended readings
• Of the System of Man’s Free Agency, by D’Holbach, Chapter XI.
• The Case Against Free Will, in PoP, p. 94-108.
• The Debate Over Free Will, in PoP, p. 109-124.
• Compatibilism, by Stace, p. 248-58.

What am I? (Week 8-10)

• Is mind = brain?
• Is the mind a kind of computer?
• What is the real you?

Recommended readings
• Do We Survive Death?, in PoP, p. 38-48.
• The Problem of Personal Identity, in PoP, p. 52-66.
• Body and Mind, in PoP, p. 67-82.
• Could a Machine Think?, in PoP, p. 83-93.
• Minds, Brains and Programs, by Searle.
• Meditations I, by Descartes.
How do I know? (Week 10-12)
• What do we know about the future?
• What do we know about reality?
• Is reality wholly mental?
• Is reality wholly natural?

Recommended readings
• Meditations II, by Descartes.
• Our Knowledge of the World Around Us, in PoP, p. 125-138.
• Induction, by Russell
• Evolution vs. Naturalism, by Plantinga

Review (Week 13)

• Worldviews

Recommended reading
• Secular Philosophy and the Religious Temperament, by Nagel, p. 1-36.

Penalties

X The penalty for late assignment submissions is 5% of the maximum assignment

score per day overdue.

X Plagiarised assignments will be given a zero. It is your duty to check UB’s plagiarism
policy, thus ignorance is no excuse. Please consult me if you are unclear. There have
been cases of plagiarism in past semesters and students have really been awarded
zero.

General UB Program Policies

X Attendance and active participation is expected by all students in every class.

Students are expected to be present for the entire duration of each class.
Tardiness to or absenting oneself during class will result in a deduction from the
attendance and participation portion of the final grade.

X Late assignments, if accepted, will be penalized.

X There will be no make ups for other course assessments, and students who are
absent from such assessments will receive a zero.
UB Statement of Principle on Academic Integrity:

X The University at Buffalo has a responsibility to promote academic honesty and

integrity and to develop procedures to deal effectively with instances of
academic dishonesty. Students are responsible for the honest completion and
representation of their work, for appropriate citation of sources, and for respect
for others’ academic endeavors. By placing their name on academic work,
students certify the originality of all work not otherwise identified by
appropriate acknowledgements.

X Additionally, students are expected to understand and abide completely by the

following guidelines for academic integrity in all UB courses:

X Plagiarism, cheating, and other incidents of academic dishonesty will result in

an automatic failing grade for the course. Depending on the severity of the
violation, your case may also be reported to UB for further investigation and
may result in expulsion from the university.

X Plagiarism consists of copying work from another source without giving proper
citations. You must not copy information from printed materials, internet
sources, or from the work of other students. If you are uncertain about how to
submit your work correctly, consult the instructor immediately.

X Any claim of ignorance of the rules of academic integrity by any student is

unacceptable.

Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:

X Reasonable Accommodation refers broadly to reasonable modifications of policies,

practices, and procedures as necessary to ensure that persons with disabilities have
the same opportunities as others in all programs, services, and benefits of the
University at Buffalo. Anyone with a disability who needs reasonable
accommodations in the SIM-UB Program should refer to the Student Handbook
(available online via SIMConnect) for further information, or consult the Resident
Director.