SYLLABUS

PHILOSOPHY 101

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY

Instructor: D. Piche

Office: BES BUILDING (SE corner)

Phone 744-1150

Ext. 233

Course Orientation:

The course is a survey of major Asian and Western philosophies which will be presented as alternative world views. We will examine each world view in terms of how each deals with the major philosophical questions such as:

-What is the nature of reality?

-Was the universe created or has it always existed?

-What is the nature of time and change?

-What is the nature of the self or mind?

-Does the universe have a meaning or purpose, or is it

random chance and chaos?

-How and to what extent can we know reality?

-What is the basis for any ethical, aesthetic, social

and political value?

As we examine these world views and questions we will develop techniques for their critical evaluation.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

-Identify and explain the major world views that have

dominated Asian and Western philosophy.

-Demonstrate a knowledge of prominant thinkers and

the major questions that have dominated

philosophical thought.

-Show an awareness of contemporary philosophical trends

and conflicts.

-Better understand your own world view and value system

and express these clearly.

Required Texts:

-W.T. Jones. A History of Western Philosophy: The Classical Mind. 2nd ed. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. 1970.

-R. Olson. An Introduction to Existentialism. Dover.

-A. Watts. The Way of Zen. Vintage, 1957.

Recommended:

-Schick, T. and Vaughn, L. How To Think About Weird Things. Mayfield, 1995.

Course Requirements:

The course will be composed primarily of lecture-discussion, readings and films. You will be responsible for the material from all three sources even if it was not discussed in the lectures. It is assumed that you will budget your time in order to accomplish the reading assignments. There will be three tests each of which will cover only the material immediately preceeding it and represent 30% of your grade. There is no comprehensive final. The tests will be multiple choice. A critical thinking essay on the course material will representthe remaining 10% of your. If you miss an examination a makeup will be allowed within three school days of the original.

Attendance is expected at all class meetings. If you miss a class it is assumed that you will acquire the material you missed on your own. Students should notify the instructor in writing in the event of an extended absence.

Grading:

Your grade will based upon a 100 point scale.

Test I 30 pts

Test II 30 pts

Test III 30 pts

Paper 10 pts

A-90 points

B-80 "

C-70 "

D-60 "

CRITICAL THINKING PAPER:

The paper is intended to give you an opportunity to philosophically critique the major philosophies coverred in the course. Your paper will be graded on how well you develop and defend your own world view by critically evaluating the course material. The paper should be approximately 4-6 pages and will be due on the last day of class.

TOPICS

Theism:

Judaic, Christian & Islamic world Views

Readings, Handout 1.

Halverson.

Materialism:

Democritus & Scientific Naturalism

Readings, Jones, chapters 1 & 3.

Halverson.

TEST I

Idealism:

Platonic Idealism

Readings, Jones, chapters 1 4 & 5.

Emergent Evolution:

Dialectical Idealism

Dialectical Materialism (Marxism)

Social Darwinism

Readings, Handout 2.

Existentialism:

Sartre

Heidegger

Readings, Handout 3.

TEST II

Asian Philosophies:

Hinduism

Theravada Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism

Taoism

Confucianism

Zen

Readings, Watts, Part I.

Test III