Morehouse Philosophy 101 - Nathan Nobis

2009-04-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

Study Guide for Final Exam for Intro to Philosophy

As you recall, we got a late start this semester due to the change in the instructor. Prior to the Midterm, we focused on some basic concepts of logic and arguments, the nature of knowledge, and the existence of God. Since the midterm, we have focused on the topics below, form which questions and prompts for the final exam will be taken:

3. THE PROBLEM OF EVIL

What is the problem of evil, or the argument for the non-existence of God from certain kinds of evils? State and explain this argument.

What is the most reasonable response to the argument? Is it unsound because some theodicies are true? If so, which theodicies are these? Is it unsound because no theodicy is sufficient? Explain how we should respond to the problem of evil. Defend your view with reasons.

4. DO WE SURVIVE DEATH?

Explain how we might be able to survive death, i.e., our minds and personalities continue to exist after death. What are some theories on what we would have to be like in order to survive death? What are some reasons to think that we could not survive death? Should we believe that we survive death or not? Defend your view with reasons.

5. THE PROBLEM OF PERSONAL IDENTITY

Explain the psychological theory of personal identity and the physical or bodily theory of personality. Present one objection to each. Which theory is best? Defend your view with reasons.

6. BODY AND MIND

Explain the soul theory of what our minds consist in and the physicalist or materialist theory of of what our minds consist in. Which theory is best? Defend your view with reasons.

7. COULD A MACHINE THINK?

What are some discussed reasons to think that, one day, a machine (i.e., a complicated computer) could think? What are discussed reasons to think that, one day, a machines (i.e., a complicated computer) could never think? Which view is correct? Defend your view with reasons.

8. THE CASE AGAINST FREE WILL

What is it to be 'determined' to do what you do, i.e., what is the thesis of determinism? What are some reasons to think that our behavior, thoughts and feelings are determined?

9. THE DEBATE OVER FREE WILL

The three main positions on the free will problem are that of "hard determinism," "libertarianism" and "compatiblism." Explain each position by presenting the argument each gives in favor of their position. Which position on the issue is correct? Explain and defend your view with reasons.

Since we were not able to talk about the chapters below on ethics and the meaning of life, but they were assigned to reason, you might be asked to develop a philosophical question about the topics and arguments in each of these chapters and then answer that question. You will be graded on the quality of the question, as well as the quality of your answer! :)

11. ETHICS AND OBJECTIVITY
11.1 Thrasymachus's Challenge 149
11.2 Is Ethics Just Social Convention? 150
11.3 Ethics and Science 155
11.4 The Importance of Human Interests 162

12. WHY SHOULD WE BE MORAL?
12.1 The Ring of Gyges 165
12.2 Ethics and Religion 167
12.3 The Social Contract 170
12.4 Morality and Benevolence 173

13. THE MEANING OF LIFE
13.1 The Problem of the Point of View 180
13.2 Happiness 182
13.3 Death 184
13.4 Religion and the Indifferent Universe 185
13.5 The Meaning of Particular Lives 188

2009-04-24T05:57:00.000-07:00

Final paper assignment, due at the time of the final:

First, read James Pryor's Guidelines on Writing a Philosophy Paper.

Then, pick one of the articles below and write a 4-5 page paper on it where you (1) identify the author's main thesis, (2) the argument(s) in favor of that thesis and (3) evaluate the argument as sound or unsound and (4) respond to objections.

Daniel Howard Snyder, "Theodicy," in ed. Kelly James Clark, Readings in the Philosophy of Religion (Broadview 2008, 2nd edition).

Without Evidence or Argument: A Defense of Belief in God without Arguments, by Kelly Clark

Is It Wrong Everywhere, Always, and for Anyone to Believe Anything on Insufficient Evidence? by Peter Van Inwagen

Saul Smilansky, "The Ethical Advantages of Hard Determinism", PHILOSOPHY AND PHENOMENOLOGICAL RESEARCH vol.54 (1994), pp.355-363.

Famine, Affluence, and Morality, Peter Singer, Philosophy and Public Affairs, vol. 1, no. 1 (Spring 1972), pp. 229-243

John Simmons, "Reasonable Humans and Animals"

I will find some more sample papers soon!

2009-04-22T08:45:00.001-07:00

On Monday, April 27, 2009 at 5:00pm, the Philosophy and Religion Society will feature Lucius T. Outlaw (Professor of Philosophy and of African-American and Diaspora Studies at Vanderbilt University) in the second meeting of the Philosophy and Religion Lecture Series. Dr Outlaw will speak on the subject: “The Academy and Philosophy: Good for Black Folks?”

Dr. Outlaw’s research interests include African and African American philosophy, political theory and social thought. He has published works such as On Race and Philosophy, In Search of Critical Social Theory in the Interest of Black Folks, and “Philosophy, Hermeneutics, Social- Political Theory: Critical Thought in the Interest of African-Americans” (of the Philosophy Born of Struggle anthology)

The lecture will be followed by a reception in the Henderson Lounge of Merrill Hall. All are invited. We encourage you and your students to come (if interested).

Taurean J. Webb

President, Philosophy and Religion Society
Morehouse College

2009-03-25T11:22:00.001-07:00

For Friday, the Rachels chapter 4 on whether we can survive death. For Monday, the next chapter on personality identity. OPS writing assignments due on both.

2009-03-16T09:58:00.000-07:00

Today I missed class due to a flat tire and a late train. Wed. we will finally discuss responses to the argument from evil presented before break. Please re-read the relevant Rachels chapter and this handout:

http://www.vuletic.com/hume/at/12.html

2009-03-03T09:04:00.001-08:00

the reading for tomorrow is this: http://www.vuletic.com/hume/at/12.html

i handed out copies in class last time and left some in my box in the dept.

Midterm

2009-03-01T09:15:00.000-08:00

Friday, we will have a midterm. The main topics we have covered are basic concepts of arguments, the nature of knowledge (which we briefly discussed), the traditional concept of God, and the main arguments for and against the existence of God. You will be asked to define concepts and to be able to state and explain arguments and possible objections to them. Be there on time!

Syllabus

2009-03-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Available as a PDF here: http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/intro-syl.pdf

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

- Martin Luther King Jr.

Introduction to Philosophy - 41179 - HPHI 201G - 01

Morehouse College, Spring 2009

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9-9:50, Sale Hall

Instructor: Nathan Nobis, Ph.D. (www.NathanNobis.com)

Contact: nathan.nobis@gmail.com

Office: Sale Hall

Office Hours: MWF 11:00-12:00, 2:00-2:30 and by appointment

Course Description: This course introduces students to the questions and methods of philosophy. We will attempt to reasonably answer questions about the nature of good reasoning, whether God exists, whether we survive death, how – despite the many changes to our bodies and minds – we might remain the same individual over time, the nature of our minds and selves and whether we are thinking purely physical things or whether we have immaterial souls, whether we have free will or not, what knowledge is and whether we have any, whether morality is objective or not, what it is for an action to be morally right and what it is for an action to be morally wrong and, perhaps, address a number of practical moral questions about how we should live our lives and make our lives meaningful. By identifying and evaluating some arguments given for and against various conclusions on these issues, students will become more careful and critical thinkers and better learn to responsibly and rationally engage controversial topics.

Text: James Rachels’ Problems from Philosophy (McGraw Hill, 2005)

or James Rachels and Stuart Rachels’ Problems from Philosophy, 2^nd Edition (McGraw Hill, 2009). Please find a used, cheaper copy of either book online: the first edition of the book is more likely to be available cheaper and used.

Additional readings will be posted online and/or passed out in class.

Course blog: http://morehousephilosophy101.blogspot.com/

Email group: http://groups.google.com/group/morehouse-philosophy-101

Course Requirements:

Detailed Outlines, Paraphrases or Summaries of readings: 40%

Midterm Exam: 20%

Final Exam: 20%

Final Paper = 20% final grade

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory.

Preparedness: You are expected to bring your book to class. You are also expected to have read and attempted to understand the assignment prior to arriving. Learning is not a passive process; it is your responsibility to come to class prepared.

Etiquette: Be courteous and respectful of those in class with you. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated; this includes but is not limited to noisemakers, phones, whispered conversations (including text messages), thrown objects, abusive language or gestures, etc. Falling asleep will simply encourage me to wake you.

Cell Phones: Should not ring during class, this will be considered a disruption.

Texting: Is not allowed in class, this is the same as having a private conversation. It is distracting to you, your neighbors, and the instructor.

Plagiarism: If you plagiarize, you will fail this course. Plagiarism is to take the words or ideas of another and to use them as your own without properly citing the original author. Philosophy is about thinking clearly. Taking another’s thoughts as your own ignores the point of the class and it disrupts the process by which learning takes place. Plagiarism is therefore anathema to the study of philosophy and will not be tolerated. Further, no external sources are neither required nor allowed so there is no possibility of accidently plagiarizing. Further, external sources are discouraged since they will, invariably, lead to confusion. If you are uncertain what plagiarism is, it is your responsibility to learn prior to turning in your paper.

Schedule of Readings: The order of readings and writing assignments will be announced in class and posted on the blog and email group. But we will read and discuss the Rachels’ text in the order the chapters are given.

2009-02-24T11:57:00.000-08:00

The link for Rachels Ch. 3. OPS due Friday is contained in the email group.

2009-02-13T08:59:00.001-08:00

Monday

For Monday, re-read Ch. 2.

In class we discussed the concept of God. Here are some encyclopedia articles on divine attributes: http://plato.stanford.edu/search/searcher.py?query=god

For Monday, write up an answer to this question:

what reasons do, or would, people give to believe that God exists?

2009-02-09T07:58:00.000-08:00

For Wed, please read Rachels Problems from Philosophy Ch. 1 on God's existence:

http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/CH2-GOD.pdf

A detailed summary, outline or paraphrase of the chapter is due Friday.

I do not have any more chapters to post online; you need to get the book.

Monday

2009-02-07T14:51:00.001-08:00

For Monday, please download and read and write an outline, paraphrase or summary of the 1st chapter. This should be 2-3 pages.

http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/Rachels-Intro-PREFACE.pdf
http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/CH1-SOCRATES.pdf

The Book; reading and writing for Friday

2009-02-04T07:54:00.000-08:00

The book we will use is James Rachels' Problems of Philosophy (McGraw-Hill, 2005; ISBN 0-07-247423-8). There is a more recently 2nd edition of this book (now co-authored with his philosopher son, Stuart Rachels), but the 1st edition will work just as well for us (although you are perfectly free to get and use the 2nd edition, which I might use as well).

The book is available used online. You should be able to get it rather cheap, although it looks like prices have gone up since yesterday :( . Here are some links to search for one.

AMAZON:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0072474238/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&qid=1233763484&sr=11-1&condition=used

Another link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/007298080X/sr=/qid=/ref=olp_tab_all?ie=UTF8&coliid=&me=&qid=&sr=&seller=&colid=

Abebooks:
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?kn=rachels&tn=problems+from+philosophy&x=58&y=3

Another:
http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?binding=&mtype=&keyword=0-07-247423-8&hs.x=14&hs.y=16&hs=Submit

In the meantime, I will briefly post the preface and first chapter; a few other introductory chapters -- we will next read the chapter on knowledge -- will be posted within the Google group).

http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/Rachels-Intro-PREFACE.pdf
http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/CH1-SOCRATES.pdf

For Friday, please download and read and write an outline, paraphrase or summary of the 1st chapter. This should be 2-3 pages.

Please read for Wednesday

2009-02-02T08:12:00.000-08:00

James Rachels, The Right Thing To Do,

Ch.

2, “Some Basic Points About Arguments,” available here: http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/rachels-on-arguments.pdf

I will give you the first one of these:

A logic handout: http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/arguments.pdf
A page on valid argument forms: http://aphilosopher.googlepages.com/validargumentforms.pdf

Day 0

2009-01-30T06:33:00.001-08:00

This will be the blog for Nathan Nobis's section of philosophy 101. For info on him, see www.NathanNobis.com

Please sign up for the email group here:
http://groups.google.com/group/morehouse-philosophy-101