|
|
100 Introduction to Philosophy |
|
LIST OF COURSESME PAGE |
TOPICS, READINGS AND SEMINARS FOR EACH TERM SECTION 1: WEEKS 1-4, MICHAELMAS TERM - FREEDOM, CAUSALITY AND DETERMINISM (* - on short loan in the Library) Lecturer: Vernon Pratt Recommended readings are mainly in James E. White: Introduction to Philosophy, West Publishing Company, Chapter 4 (hereafter: Introduction to Philosophy). Other useful introductory works on short loan: Richard Taylor Metaphysics. Useful collections available on short loan: Martin Curd Argument and Analysis. WEEK 1: THE SCIENTIFIC WORLD - VIEW AND HUMAN FREEDOM Basic Reading: B.F. Skinner, "Science and Human Behaviour", in Introduction to Philosophy, Ch. 4. This is also the time to have a quick first read of the Introduction to Ch. 4 of Introduction to Philosophy. It should read more clearly and helpfully at the end of the half-term. Further Reading: Martin Hollis, Invitation to Philosophy, Ch. 9. Martin Curd, Argument & Analysis, Introduction to Part IV, pp. 355-359. Seminar: please bring with you a list of three features of human beings which you think are the most difficult for the scientific approach to account for. WEEK 2: THE HUMAN BEING "AS A SUBJECT TO SCIENCE" Basic Reading: John Hospers, "Psychoanalysis and Free Will" in Introduction to Philosophy, Ch. 4. Further Reading: Review B.F. Skinner, "Science and Human Behaviour" in Introduction to Philosophy, Ch. 4, recommended for Week 1. Seminar: in your own experience, do you feel there have been times when you have arrived at a decision freely? If so, what would persuade you this had been an illusion? Have you ever taken a decision, believing it to be "free" and later discovered that it hadn't been? WEEK 3: ATTEMPTS TO RECONCILE FREEWILL WITH SCIENTIFIC DETERMINISM Basic Reading: Kai Neilsen, "The Compatibility of Freedom and Determinism", Introduction to Philosophy, Ch. 4. Further Reading: David Hume, "Of liberty and necessity" in Martin Curd, Argument and Analysis, Reading 30. Edwards, "Hard and Soft Determinism" in Martin Curd, Reading 31. Seminar: what difference would it make to the way we behave if we came to believe we were mechanisms? Is this a trick question? Have you ever met anybody you suspected was a mechanism? What was happening to Arnie as he began to understand why people sometimes wept? WEEK 4: THE PRINCIPLE OF CAUSALITY Basic Reading: David Hume, excerpt in Introduction to Philosophy, Ch. 4, headed "Scepticism about Causation". Further Reading: Taylor, Metaphysics, Ch. 9. Hume on "necessary connection" in Curd, Argument and Analysis, Reading 42. Ewing on "cause" in Curd, Argument and Analysis, Reading 43. The readings in Part IV of Curd's book are also to the point. Seminar: try to imagine a world which was exactly like ours except that everything that happened in it happened by accident. Can you? Might our world in fact, when we come to think about it, be like that itself? Or would the chances against this being the case be too high? (Here is an example of an accident: your car won't start on your birthday.) WEEK 5: REVIEW WEEK - NO LECTURES OR SEMINARS
SECTION 2: WEEKS 6-9, MICHAELMAS TERM - MIND AND BODY Lecturer: Emily Brady Basic readings in Introduction to Philosophy, chapter 5. For a generally useful reference book, see Samuel Guttenplan's A Companion to the Philosophy of Mind, in the library. Websites: David Chalmers has a rich guide at: www.u.arizona.edu/~chalmers/biblio.html WEEK 6: THE MIND-BODY PROBLEM Basic readings: ch.5 Introduction, in Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 172-174; Descartes, "The Mind as Distinct from the Body", in Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 175-176. Further: all the following provide good introductions to the
problem: M. Curd, Argument and Analysis, pp. 217-223; T. Nagel,
What Does It All Mean?, ch. 4; Seminar: Which of the following are mental and which physical? If any seem doubtful, think why: Being six feet tall; being deep in thought; moving to the right; feeling happy; listening to music; stepping on a tack (and the pain that goes with it); being red; laughing at a joke; signing a cheque.
WEEK 7: DESCARTES AND DUALISM Basic readings: Descartes, "The Mind as Distinct from the Body", in Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 175-176; G. Ryle, "Descartes' Myth" in Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 177-183. Further: for Descartes' arguments for dualism, see M. Curd, Argument and Analysis, pp. 311-322; P. Smith and O. Jones The Philosophy of Mind, ch. III or the relevant chapters in J. Cottingham's Descartes. Several articles in Cogito (Philosophy serials, A6 in Library), a useful journal aimed specifically at student readers, are also worth looking at: R.S. Woolhouse, "Cartesian Dualism and its Problems", vol. 3, 1989; and J. Cottingham, "Descartes on Mind and Body", vol. 2, 1988. Princess Elizabeth's criticisms of Descartes' theory can be found in The Essential Descartes, ed. Margaret Wilson. For informative and critical discussions of dualism more generally, see:; M. Hollis, Invitation to Philosophy, ch. 6; D. Jacquette, Philosophy of Mind, ch. 1; J. Heil, Philosophy of Mind: A Contemporary Introduction, ch. 2; C.D. Broad, "The Traditional Problem of Body and Mind" in Curd, Argument and Analysis, pp. 232-239. Seminar: in one of your reading selections for this week, "The Mind as Distinct from the Body" (Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 175-176), Descartes' argues that the mind and the body are two distinct things. How does he support this claim? To be precise in answering this question, you should attempt to outline his argument by setting out its premises and conclusion. WEEK 8: THE LIMITS OF MATERIALISM Basic readings: P. Churchland, "Reductive and Eliminative Materialism" in Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 204-208; T. Nagel, "What Is It Like to Be a Bat?" in Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 208-216. Further: for discussion of materialist theories, see: D.M.
Armstrong, "The Central-State Theory" in Introduction
to Philosophy, pp. 184-191; M. Curd, Argument and Analysis, pp.
327-333; D. Jacquette, Philosophy of Mind, Seminar: What does Nagel's argument prove about our subjective experience of the world (and qualia)? Does it present a decisive argument against materialism and eliminative materialism? WEEK 9: THE MIND-COMPUTER ANALOGY Basic reading: John Searle, "Can Computers Think?" in Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 197-203. Further: for discussion and criticism of functionalism see: Introduction to Philosophy, J. Fodor, "Functionalism", pp. 192-197; J. Heil, Philosophy of Mind: A Contemporary Introduction, ch. 4; P. Smith and O. Jones, The Philosophy of Mind, chaps. XI-XII. On philosophy and artificial intelligence: M. Curd, Argument and Analysis, pp. 333-345; Searle gives a fuller account of his position in his Minds, Brains and Science; for the "Turing Test" see A.M. Turing, "Computing Machinery and Intelligence", reprinted in A.R. Anderson, ed., Minds and Machines; also all the following in Twenty Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy, eds. Bowie, Michaels and Solomon: D. Dennett, "Artificial Intelligence as Philosophy and as Psychology", pp. 244-256; Owen Flanagan, "Cognitive Psychology", pp. 256-266; A. Zuboff, "The Story of a Brain", pp. 276-282; Margaret Boden's book, The Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence. Seminar: Are machines like us? Are we like machines? The second session of this week includes a video showing of the Star Trek: Next Generation series episode: "The Measure of a Man". For seminars this week, reflect on Searle's objections to the claim that computers can think, and be prepared to discuss the questions asked on the Star Trek handout. WEEK 10: REVIEW WEEK - NO LECTURES OR SEMINARS SECTION 3: WEEKS 1-5, LENT TERM - RELIGION AND ARGUMENT Lecturer: to be announced This section of the course studies some of the arguments to be found in the philosophy of religion. Chapters 1 and 2 of the course text are relevant and should be read in advance of the lectures. Particular references are given below. WEEK 1: ARGUMENTS IN PHILOSOPHY Before we examine some of the arguments which have occurred in the philosophy of religion we first need to look at the nature of arguments and the methods for their assessment. The material is summarised on pp. xi-xii of the course text and will be elaborated in detail in lectures. Seminar: what is the definition of validity and what is the connection between validity and truth? WEEK 2: THE DEDUCTION OF GOD: A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE ONTOLOGICAL ARGUMENT The reading is Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 1-12. Seminar: why existence may not be a property? WEEK 3: THE INDUCTION OF GOD This week's lectures examine the claim that the world itself provides us with evidence that it was designed. The reading is pp. 22-32 of Introduction to Philosophy. Seminar: does the world look as if it is designed? WEEK 4: REVIEW WEEK - NO LECTURES OR SEMINARS WEEK 5: THE CASE OF ATHEISM: THE PROBLEM OF EVIL In this week's lectures we see that it is no more easy to disprove the existence of God by argument than it is to prove it. The reading is pp. 33-49 and 55-73 of Introduction to Philosophy. Seminar: are evil and the goodness of God really incompatible?
SECTION 4: WEEKS 6-9 LENT TERM - PERSONAL IDENTITY & KNOWLEDGE Lecturer: Alan Holland As background reading for this section of the course you might sample: "The Cave", "Ants, Spiders and Bees", "The Web of Belief" and "The Elusive 'I'" - chs. 3-6 of Invitation to Philosophy by Martin Hollis; "How do we know anything at all?" and "Death" - chs. 2 & 9 of What does it all mean? by Tom Nagel. As a further reading for the section you might sample: John Perry (ed.) Personal Identity and A.J. Ayer, The Problem of Knowledge. WEEK 6: SHOES, SHIPS & SEALING WAX: CRITERIA OF IDENTITY Reading: John Locke, "The Idea of Personal Identity", White, Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 222-225; David Hume, "Of Personal Identity", White, Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 225-228; extracts from Aristotle and Hobbes. Seminar: Which is the real ship of Theseus - the one made of the original timbers, or the one that has been continually refurbished? In justifying your answer explain how you are interpreting the notion of "spatio-temporal continuity". WEEK 7: PERSONAL IDENTITY Reading: John Hick "The Resurrection of the Person", White, Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 243-249; Peter Geach, "Immortality", White, Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 249-254; extract from Bernard Williams. Seminar: When did YOU begin to exist? When (i.e. under what kind of circumstances) will you cease to exist? WEEK 8: THE PROBLEM OF PERCEPTION Reading: John Locke, "Perception and Knowledge", White, Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 110-113; Bertrand Russell, "Appearance and Reality", White Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 113-117. Seminar: Does Russell succeed in convincing you that "the real table … is not the same as what we immediately experience by sight or touch or hearing" ("Appearance and Reality", pp. 115)? WEEK 9: DO WE KNOW ANYTHING AT ALL? Reading: Descartes, "Mediation 1", White, Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 96-98; William James, "The Will to Believe", secs. 1-IV, VII, White, Introduction to Philosophy, pp. 76-80, extract from W.K. Clifford. Seminar: How do you know that you are not the "star" of the Truman Show, or the victim of Descartes' "evil genius"? Do you think you know that this is at least unlikely? What kind of evidence could you have? WEEK 10: REVIEW WEEK - NO LECTURES OR SEMINARS
SECTION 5: WEEKS 1-4, SUMMER TERM - MORALITY Lecturer: Clare Palmer WEEK 1: UTILITARIANISM Basic Readings: Introduction to Philosophy, J.S. Mill, "Utilitarianism", pp. 314-323. Introduction to Philosophy, Paul Taylor, "A Problem for Utilitarianism", pp. 324-328. Further: Curd, Argument and Analysis, pp. 183-195. James Rachels, "The Elements of Moral Philosophy", Ch. 8. J. Hospers, Human Conduct, 1st ed., ch. 12, or 2nd ed. ch. 4. R. Norman, *The Moral Philosophers, ch. 7, is a good discussion of Mill, especially of the higher v. lower pleasures distinction. D.D. Raphael, *Moral Philosophy, ch. 4, and P. Pettit, Judging Justice, ch. 11, provide decent introductions to utilitarianism; and for discussion of some standard problems, see ch. 13 of Hospers, op.cit. Ch. 7 of Hospers is useful on the claim that happiness/pleasure is the only intrinsic good; and for Aristotle's view of happiness, see R. Norman, op.cit., ch. 3. A useful overview of issues and theories in moral philosophy is M. Hollis *Invitation to Philosophy, ch. 7, "The Ring of Gyges" (the title refers to a passage in Plato's Republic). Seminar: How would a Utilitarian decide on the rights and wrongs of: (a) Keeping or breaking promises? WEEK 2: KANT Basic Readings: Introduction to Philosophy, Kant, "The Categorical Imperative", pp. 328-332. Further: Curd, Argument and Analysis, pp.195-204. J. Rachels, Elements of Moral Philosophy, chs. 9-10. Richard Norman's *The Moral Philosophers, ch. 6, is a helpful introduction to Kant's ethics. A difficult, but rewarding, introduction is J. Kemp's The Philosophy of Kant, ch. 3, esp. pp. 56-75. Discussion relevant to the applicability of Kant's supreme principle of morality are James Rachels, "The Morality of Euthanasia", in G. Lee Bowie et al, eds. Twenty Questions, and Onora O'Neill, "Kantian Approaches to Some Famine Problems". Seminar: How would a Kantian decide on the rights and wrongs of: (a) Keeping or breaking promises? WEEK 3: ARISTOTLE Basic Readings: Introduction to Philosophy , Aristotle "Happiness and the Good Life", pp. 299-309. Further: A clear introduction is J.O. Urmson's, Aristotle's
Ethics. Alasdair Maclntyre's After Virtue is a modern classic
which defends virtue theory.
Seminar: How would an Aristotelian decide on the rights and wrongs of: (a) Keeping or breaking promises? WEEK 4: BUT IT'S ALL RELATIVE, ISN'T IT? MORAL RELATIVISM, SUBJECTIVISM AND SCEPTICISM ABOUT VALUES Basic Readings: Introduction to Philosophy, J. Rachels, "The Challenge of Cultural Relativism", pp. 274-284. Further: A.C. Ewing, "The Objectivity of Moral Judgements", pp. 288-293. Mary Midgley, "Trying Out One's New Sword", both inTwenty Questions, pp. 587-590. Curd, Argument and Analysis, pp.171-174. P. Singer, Practical Ethics, 2nd ed., ch. 1, esp. pp. 4-8. The Open University, *Introduction to Philosophy (R. Hursthouse), Units 13-15, pp. 9-20 and 47-61, are good on what's meant by 'subjectivity'; D.D. Raphael *Moral Philosophy, chaps 2 and 3, discusses the objectivity (or otherwise) of moral judgements; and J. Mackie's Ethics, chap. 1, is interesting but quite difficult on this. Seminar: do you agree with Rachels that Cultural Relativism "is not so plausible as it first appears to be?" Why, or why not? WEEK 5: REVISION LECTURES FOR EXAM (NO SEMINARS) |
|
|