Derek Stanovsky | Philosophy and Religion Department | Appalachian State University
Introduction to Philosophy
Spring 2003

P&R 1000-102, MWF 12:00-12:50, Greer 118

Introduction to Philosophy: Resources and Links


 

Course Description:
Philosophy concerns itself with far reaching questions about ourselves and our world: What is the meaning of life? Is there a God? What is the nature of reality? Is knowledge possible? This course will provide an introduction to Western philosophy from ancient to modern and postmodern times through examinations of some of the major works that have provided influential and provocative answers to these questions.

Textbooks:
Steven Cahn, ed., Classics of Western Philosophy (Hackett) -- Rental Textbook.
Walter Kaufmann, ed., The Portable Nietzsche (Penguin).
Ludwig Wittgenstein, Philosophical Investigations (Macmillan) -- On Library Reserve and Electronic Reserve.
Jean Baudrillard, Simulations (Autonomedia) -- On Library Reserve and Electronic Reserve.

Course Requirements:
The most important requirements for this course are regular class attendance, participation, and preparation. You should come prepared to ask and answer questions and to discuss the readings each day. The formal grading requirements are as follows:

Participation 20%
Two Exams 20% each
Two Papers 20% each
The class participation portion of your grade will be based on regular class attendance and participation as well as on periodic homeworks and in-class individual and small group assignments. Two absences are allowed during the semester. Each additional absence will lower your class participation grade by one letter grade. More than six absences and/or failure to complete any of the written assignments detailed below are grounds for failing the course.

There will be two in-class essay exams during the semester. Make-up exams are not normally given. Exceptions may be made for genuine medical emergencies or other similarly serious personal difficulties, although in such cases the format of the exam may be changed.

There will be two 3-5 page papers. Late papers will be docked one-third of a letter grade for each day late. More information on these assignments will be handed out at a later date. This is a "W" designator writing course. Close attention to writing mechanics and style, as well as content, is expected.

With regard to papers and all other assignments for this course, you are expected to know and follow the current ASU code of academic integrity.

Course Schedule:
M 1/13 Introductions. Web scavenger hunt:

Begin at the Resources and Links Web page for this course and visit as many of the links on this page as you can. As you explore, try to find the answer to the following question: What was the name of Plato's younger sister?
E-mail your answer to me at: stanovskydj@appstate.edu. Include your name and email address in the body of your message.
W 1/15 Read about Thales. What is the reality that underlies all appearances according to Thales?
F 1/17 Read about Heraclitus.Read Parmenides' poem On Nature.

MLK DAY
W 1/22 Read about Plato, then read Plato's Meno, 70-80d (Cahn, pp. 4-12).
F 1/24 Homework: What is virtue?

M 1/27 Meno, 80d-86c (Cahn, pp. 12-17).
W 1/29 Meno, 86c-end (Cahn, pp. 17-27).
F 1/31 Read Book VII of Plato's Republic, The Allegory of the Cave, and view this illustration of the cave.

M 2/3 René Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy, Dedication and First Meditation (Cahn, pp. 299-303 and 308-311).
W 2/5 Dream homework.
F 2/7 Second Meditation (Cahn, pp. 311-315).

M 2/10 Third Meditation (Cahn, pp. 316-324).
W 2/12 Fourth and Fifth Meditation (Cahn, pp. 324-332).
F 2/14 Sixth Meditation and Synopsis (Cahn, pp. 332-341 and 306-307).

M 2/17 Discussion.
W 2/19 Review.
F 2/21 First Exam.

M 2/24 George Berkeley, A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge, Introduction §1-25 (Cahn, pp. 577-589).
W 2/26 Part I, §1-20 (Cahn, pp. 589-594).
F 2/28 Part I, §21-41 (Cahn, pp. 594-599).

M 3/3 Part I, §135-156 (Cahn, pp. 626-632).
W 3/5 TBA
F 3/7 First Paper Due.

SPRING BREAK

M 3/17 Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols, pp. 463-473.
W 3/19 "The Problem of Socrates," pp. 473-479.
F 3/21 "'Reason' in Philosophy," pp. 479-486.

M 3/24 "The Madman," pp. 95-96 and pp. 447-450.
W 3/26 "Good and Evil," pp. 451-452, §283-290 pp. 97-99.
F 3/28 "The Greatest Stress," §341 pp. 101-102.

M 3/31 Ludwig Wittgenstein, Philosophical Investigations, Preface and Part I, §1.
W 4/2 Part I, §2-43.
F 4/4 Part I, §65-123.

M 4/7 Part I, §143-155.
W 4/9 Part I, §243-341.
F 4/11 Derek Jarman, Wittgenstein: The Movie.

M 4/14 Jarman concluded.
W 4/16 Discussion / Review.
F 4/18 Second Exam.

EASTER BREAK
W 4/23 Jean Baudrillard, Simulations, pp. 1-37.
F 4/25 Simulations, pp. 38-79.

M 4/28 Simulations, pp. 83-159.
W 4/30 TBA

Final paper due during our regularly scheduled final exam period (Thursday May 8, 12:00-2:30).