Philosophy 114

Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality

 

Ned Markosian

Western Washington University

Winter 2009

 

 

 

Schedule

 

Jan

7

  No class

 

9

  No class

 

 

 

 

12

  Course intro

 

14

  Arguments; The Brain in a Vat Argument

 

16

  The Problem of Skepticism

 

 

 

 

21

  Solutions to The Problem of Skepticism

 

23

  Taylor, "Persons and Bodies"

 

 

 

 

26

  Some arguments against Materialism

 

28

  More arguments against Materialism

 

30

  Taylor, "Interactionism"

 

 

 

Feb

2

  Taylor, "The Mind as a Function of the Body"

 

4

  Midterm Exam

 

6

  Taylor, "Freedom and Determinism"

 

 

 

 

9

  Hard Determinism and Soft Determinism

 

11

  Compatibilism and Incompatibilism; Simple Indeterminism

 

13

  Volitional Indeterminism

 

 

 

 

18

  The Theory of Agency

 

20

  Taylor, "Fate"

 

 

 

 

23

  Objections to The Argument for Fatalism

 

25

  Another objection to The Argument for Fatalism

 

27

  Introduction to Philosophical Theology

 

 

 

Mar

2

  Taylor, "God" (pp. 99-108)

 

4

  Taylor, "God" (pp. 109-116)

 

6

  Two arguments against Theism

 

 

 

 

9

  The Argument from Evil

 

11

  Is there objective truth in philosophy? What is the point of doing philosophy?

 

13

  Review; course evaluations

 

 

 

 

17

  Final Exam for 2PM Section (3:30PM)

 

18

  Final Exam for 3PM Section (3:30PM)

 

 

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