It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday

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Reading Response #3: Dualism

Here is the assignment for reading response #3:

Do you think dualism is a good theory of mind? Why or why not? In an approximately 500-word essay, explain and evaluate dualism. Be sure to discuss and evaluate criticisms for this theory. Furthermore, explain and defend your opinion of dualism. Don’t just explain what you believe; explain why you believe it, as well.

This assignment is worth 50 points (5% of your overall grade), and is due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, November 29th.

Hear No Evil

If you like to get philosophical on the treadmill, try downloading and listening to these podcasts on the problem of suffering:

• Well-known contemporary philosopher (and ordained priest) Marilyn McCord Adams offers some insights into the problem of evil in this audio interview. (Download)
  
• The NPR program Fresh Air has an audio interview with Bart Ehrman on the problem of suffering. (Download)
  
• Here's even more audio from a few philosophers on the problem of suffering. (Download)
  
  

10/25 Class Canceled

I'm sick, so this week's class is canceled. This confuses a few things logistically, so here are the changes:

• Test #2 will be moved back to Tuesday, November 8th.  
• We'll be reviewing for Test #2 in class on Tuesday, November 1st.

Bad Things to Good People

Here are some links on the problem of suffering.

• This is a great introductory article on the problem of suffering.
• There is a collection of resources all about the problem of evil, including criticisms of several different responses to the problem. I mean, wow.
• I'd like to highlight one article in particular: a discussion of the "God works in mysterious ways" response: do we have enough evidence to believe that there is a reason for all the suffering in the world, but humans aren't smart enough to understand what that reason is?
• And here's a video talk on the humility response.
• Does everything happen for a reason? This cartoon dinosaur has an interesting take on that question. (T-Rex also occasionally wonders why bad things happen to nice people, and whether we're in the worst possible world.)

Random Comedy

As usual, The Onion nails it:

• "Realistic Announcer Shouting How Kevin Durant Making His Last 4 Shots Has No Bearing On Whether He Will Make Next Shot"
• "Cornell Drains Fun Out Of Cinderella Run By Explaining How On A Long Enough Timeline The Improbable Becomes Probable"

The Importance of Being Stochastic

Here is a bunch of links related to our natural tendency to misinterpret randomness as if it's an intentional pattern:

• Most of us are pretty bad at statistical reasoning.
• Here's a review of a decent book (The Drunkard's Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives) on this topic.
• What was that infinite monkey typewriter thing we were talking about in class? Someone recently tried it! Well, sort of.
• A radio show I love recently devoted an entire episode to probability.
  
• Another radio show I love ran a great 2-part series on the screening for diseases called "You Are Pre-Diseased".
• What's up with that recent recommendation that routine screenings for breast cancer should wait until your 50s rather than 40s? Math helps explain it.

Reading Response #2: Design Argument

Reading Response #2 is due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, October 18th.  The assignment is to write an approximately 500-word essay on the following prompt:

What do you think best explains the seeming complexity, order, and functionality of natural objects and aspects of the universe? In other words, explain and evaluate the abductive version of the design argument for God's existence.

• First, briefly explain the abductive version of the design argument. Describe the relevant evidence that needs to be explained. List the possible hypotheses that attempt to explain that evidence. And explain why proponents of the design argument believe that the intelligent designer hypothesis is the most plausible one.
• Then, evaluate this argument. Is an intelligent designer the best explanation of this evidence? Or is there another, better explanation? Tell me your opinion. Do you think the abductive version of the design argument is a good argument or a bad argument? Why? Be sure to defend your opinion with reasons.

The response is based on the design argument section of the textbook (chapters 5, 6, and 7) and on our discussion in class on October 11th.  Like the other reading responses, you won't be graded on your opinion. You'll be graded on how well you DEFEND your opinion.  Reading response #2 is word 50 points (5% of your overall grade).

Like a Watch, Only More So

Here are some links on the design argument for God's existence.

• Here is a nice explanation of the design argument, along with an explanation of a wild arg for god's existence that we're not studying.
•  Here's an audio interview with Elliott Sober (the author of our textbook) on the design argument:
  
• Here's a long-ish video lecture on the notion of fine-tuning.

God Shtuff

If you've read a good article on god stuff, recommend it to us by emailing me or posting the link in the comments section of this post. In the meantime, I have some stuff for you.

The website Closer to Truth has a ton of short interviews with modern-day philosophers (and other smart people) on their thoughts about god.  Here are some recommended videos on the design argument:

• Philosopher Richard Swinburne likes the design argument. (Part 2 of his interview is here.)
• Philosopher Bede Rundle is less convinced.
• Philosopher Colin McGinn tackles the issue of fine-tuning.

Hey, where's the interview with an agnostic? Oh, here it is!

• Nick Bostrom (the author of "Do We Live in a Computer Simulation?") argues for agnosticism

Philosophical Cats

Cute cats and philosophy captions? You know I can't resist:

I'm Certain I'm Doubting

Here are some links related to our discussion of René Descartes and skepticism from class.

• Optical illusion time! Here is a pair of collections of Julian Beever's sidewalk art that looks three-dimensional when viewed from a certain angle. That's a picture of one of his creations above.
• The search for truth is tough. Let's get the FBI on the case!
• Here's an audio interview about Descartes's famous argument that he's certain he exists.
• Can we be abolutely certain of math claims like 2 + 3 = 5? This cartoon dinosaur says we can't.

By the way, if you have any links you think I or others in class might find interesting, let me know. And feel free to comment on any of these posts.

Reading Response #1

Reading Response #1 is due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, September 28th. In about a 500-word essay, answer the following questions:

• What kinds of beliefs does Descartes say he cannot be certain of? Why does he believe he can't be certain of these?  Hint: Descartes mentions 2 general categories of beliefs in Meditation I (pages 207-210).  See also pages 159-160.
• What beliefs does Descartes say he can be certain of? Why does he believe he can be certain of these?  Hint: Descartes mentions 2 specific beliefs in Meditation II (pages 210-216).  See also pages 160-162.
• Evaluate his reasons: do you agree with Descartes? Why or why not?

Please paraphrase Descartes's ideas in your own words. The response is based on the Descartes reading from pages 207-216 of the textbook.

Homework: Email Subscription

So why does this course have a blog? Well, why is anything anything?

A blog is a website that works like a journal – users write posts that are sorted by date based on when they were written. You can find important course information (like assignments, due dates, reading schedules, etc.) on the blog. I’ll also be updating the blog throughout the semester, posting interesting items related to the stuff we’re currently discussing in class. You don't have to visit the blog if you don't want to. It's just a helpful resource. I've used a blog for this course a lot, and it's seemed helpful. Hopefully it can benefit our course, too.

Since I’ll be updating the blog a lot throughout the semester, you should check it frequently. There are, however, some convenient ways to do this without simply going to the blog each day. The best way to do this is by getting an email subscription, so any new blog post I write automatically gets emailed to you. (You can also subscribe to the rss feed, if you know what that means.) To get an email subscription:

1. Go to http://rowanphilosophy.blogspot.com.

2. At the main page, enter your email address at the top of the right column (under “EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION: Enter your Email”) and click the "Subscribe me!" button.

3. This will take you to a new page. Follow the directions under #2, where it says “To help stop spam, please type the text here that you see in the image below. Visually impaired or blind users should contact support by email.” Once you type the text, click the "Subscribe me!" button again.

4. You'll then get an email regarding the blog subscription. (Check your spam folder if you haven’t received an email after a day.) You have to confirm your registration. Do so by clicking on the "Click here to activate your account" link in the email you receive.

5. This will bring you to a page that says "Your subscription is confirmed!" Now you're subscribed.

If you are unsure whether you've subscribed, ask me (609-980-8367; landis@rowan.edu). I can check who's subscribed and who hasn't.

Course Details

Introduction to Philosophy
Rowan University
Philosophy 09121, Section 02
Fall 2011
Tuesdays: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Robinson Hall, Room 202

Instructor: Sean Landis
Email: landis@rowan.edu
Phone: 609-980-8367
Course Website: http://rowanphilosophy.blogspot.com
Office Hourse: by appointment

Required Texts
Core Questions in Philosophy, 5th Edition, by Elliott Sober

About the Course
This course is designed to introduce students to philosophy. Throughout the semester, we will explore a handful of classic philosophical questions: What is knowledge, and what can we know? What evidence is there regarding the existence of a God? What is the relationship between the mind and the body? Do humans have free will?

We will also be developing various philosophical skills, including:

• Understanding: the ability to identify and explain an author’s main point in your own words, along with the ability to identify and explain an author’s argument in support of this main point.
• Evaluating: the ability to critically and charitably determine whether these arguments provide accurate, logical reasons in support of their main points, along with the ability to engage in critical and charitable dialogue with people who hold different views from your own.
• Defending: the ability to develop your own arguments in support of your opinions on the ethical issues we study, along with the ability to honestly assess your opinions and critically evaluate the quality of your arguments in support of them.

A broader goal of this course is to gain an appreciation for philosophical reflection. Hopefully, we will learn that careful, systematic, detailed thought is a great tool for increasing understanding on complex topics.

Grades
A = 934-1000 total points
A- = 900-933 total points
B+ = 867-899 total points
B = 834-866 total points
B- = 800-833 total points
C+ = 767-799 total points
C = 734-766 total points
C- = 700-733 total points
D+ = 667-699 total points
D = 634-666 total points
D- = 600-633 total points
F = below 600 total points

Test #1: 150 points
Test #2: 250 points
Test #3: 350 points
4 Reading Responses: 50 points each (200 points total)
Attendance/Participation: 50 points

Tests: There will be three tests, each one worth more points than the last. Test #1 will be on the logic and knowledge sections of the course. Test #1 will last about 25 minutes, and be held at the beginning of class on the scheduled day.

Test #2 will be on everything covered during the first half of the course, and will last the first half of class (80 minutes) on the scheduled day.

Test #3 is cumulative—that is, it will be on everything covered throughout the whole course. Test #3 will also last 80 minutes, and will take place during finals week.

Reading Responses: There will be four reading responses, which are to be handed in at the beginning of class the day they are due. Each assignment is an approximately 500-word essay response to a specific question about one or more of the week’s readings. The responses are a chance to do philosophy. To this effect, the focus of the responses will be on paraphrasing (demonstrating that you understand the reading by explaining it in your own words) and critically evaluating (presenting objections to the argument in the reading, or responding to such objections) the philosophical arguments being presented in the readings.

Attendance/Participation: Most of this will be based on your attendance. If you’re there every class, you’ll get full credit for your attendance grade. In addition, there will be a lot of informal group work throughout the semester in which students get together to analyze the readings or philosophical issues being discussed in class. Group work can impact this grade.

Extra Credit: I like giving extra credit! I’ll be giving some official extra credit assignments throughout the semester. I’ll also be offering some extra credit points more informally during class time. Remind me about this if I slack off on dishing out extra credit points.

Classroom Policies
Academic Integrity: Cheating and plagiarism (using someone else’s words or ideas in a paper or assignment without giving credit to the source) will not be tolerated in the class. Students found guilty of either will definitely fail the exam or assignment on which they plagiarize—and possibly the entire class. FYI: I’m pretty good at catching plagiarists. I recommend not trying it!

Attendance: I take attendance each class, and you are expected to attend all of each class.

Excused Absences: Any assignment will only be rescheduled for an excused absence. Excused absences include religious observance, official college business, and illness or injury (with a doctor’s note). An unexcused absence on the day of any assignment or test will result in a zero on that assignment or test.

Disability Accommodations: If you have special requirements let me know as soon as possible so we can make all necessary arrangements.

Course Schedule

*This schedule is tentative and will probably change a lot*

Doing Philosophy
September 6
-Check. Check One. Sibilance (intro to class; no reading)
-Doing Philosophy | What is Philosophy? (no reading)

September 13
-Doing Philosophy | Understanding & Evaluating Arguments (pages 1-22)
-Doing Philosophy | Abductive Arguments & Theories (pages 24-36)

Knowledge
September 20
-Knowledge | What is Knowledge? (Plato handout; pages 147-156)
-Knowledge | Descartes vs. Skepticism (pages 156-160, 207-210)

September 27
-Knowledge | Descartes vs. Skepticism wrap-up (pages 160-163, 210-216)
-Knowledge | Other Forms of Skepticism (Bostrom, Frances handouts)
(Reading Response #1 due)

Philosophy of Religion
October 4
-TEST #1
-Does God Exist? | Intro to Philosophy of Religion (pages 37-38, 53-57)
-Does God Exist? | Paley & The Design Argument (pages 120-122)

October 11
-Does God Exist? | Hume & The Design Argument (pages 53-61, 123-128)
-Does God Exist? | Design vs. Random (pages 61-83)

October 18
-Does God Exist? | The Problem of Suffering Intro (pages 109-113)
-Does God Exist? | The Free Will Defense (pages 113-117)
(Reading Response #2 due)

October 25
-Does God Exist? | Hick & The Problem of Suffering (handout)
-Review for Midterm (no new reading)

November 1
-TEST #2
-Faith & Reason | Pascal’s Wager (pages 100-109, 136-138)

November 8
-Faith & Reason | Verificationism (pages 92-100, 132-136)
-Faith & Reason | Pragmatism (pages 138-145)

Philosophy of Mind
November 15
-Philosophy of Mind | Dualism (pages 255-265, Descartes handout)
-Philosophy of Mind | Criticisms of Dualism (pages 265-271, Elisabeth/Descartes handout)

November 22
-Philosophy of Mind | Behaviorism & Identity Theory (pages 271-285)
-Philosophy of Mind | Functionalism (pages 285-293)
(Reading Response #3 due)

November 29
-Philosophy of Mind | Functionalism continued (no new reading)
-Philosophy of Mind | Consciousness (Nagel, McGinn handouts)

Free Will
December 6
-Free Will | Hard Determinism (pages 293-303, 344-348)
-Free Will | Libertarianism & Compatibilism (pages 303-322)

December 13
-Catch-up (no new reading)
-Final Exam Review
(Reading Response #4 due)

Tuesday, December 20th, 7:00-9:00 p.m. in Robinson 202: Test #3