James Kellenberger

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Philosophical Problems - Philosophy 310

Syllabus

PREREQUISITES:

TEXT:

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

In this course we shall examine and reflect on four traditional philosophical questions (Topics I through IV indicated below). In each case we shall proceed by reading pieces that will acquaint us with different views on the question we examine. The main objective of the course is to provide an opportunity for students to identify and understand the four philosophical questions we shall address, to consider critically the answers proposed by philosophers, and to work toward formulating their own view of each question. While the lectures will clarify and augment the readings, and will raise difficulties and questions about the views examined, it will be left to the individual student to develop her/his critical conclusions throughout the course.

GENERAL EDUCATION:

This course satisfies the "Philosophy and Religion" (C-3) section of the General Education Program. All courses in this section are designed to promote systematic reflection on questions concerning the structure and meaning of existence. Achieving this goal involves developing an appreciation for and assessments of alternative world views and rival conceptual schemes that have played central roles in human culture -- influencing art, science, government, literature, and other important aspects of civilization. This course can be applied to the nine-unit upper division General Education requirement.

BASIS OF GRADE:

Your grade will be based on four essays of 4-5 pages. Each essay will count for one fourth of your course grade, although in marginal cases I will consider class participation and improvement.

Regular attendance is strongly recommended, for much of the material of the course will be developed in our class discussion. However, attendance is not a part of the basis of your grade. Plus and minus grades will be used.

OFFICE LOCATION:

My office is Sierra Tower, Room 527; Phone: (818) 677-4854. 

Messages may be left at this number. My email address is james.kellenberger@ csun.edu I will check my email on Tuesday and Thursday.

OFFICE HOURS:

My office hours are for discussion with students, and you are encouraged to use them to discuss with me anything about the class material that you would like to explore or have clarified. Also I encourage you to discuss among yourselves outside class the issues that the course will cover, including those on the essay assignments. But your individual written work must be your own.

No written work that shows signs of plagiarism or academic dishonesty will be used as a basis of grade.

PLEASE NOTE:

The deadline this semester for dropping a course with only the instructor's signature is Friday, September 15. After that date, withdrawals will require additional approvals and can only be obtained for "serious and compelling reasons." See schedule of Classes, pp. 15-16.

TOPICS & READING ASSIGNMENTS

WEEK ONE: Introduction, Background, and Preliminaries

Mechanics of the course. What is Philosophy?

Elements of Philosophical Reasoning

Discussion of Plato's EUTHYPHRO

READING:

I. WEEKS TWO-FOUR: What is the character of our human identity, and is

there life after death?

READING:

FIRST PAPER (4-5 pages)

II. WEEKS FIVE-SEVEN: What is the nature of our world? Are there

"material" objects?

READING:

SECOND PAPER (4-5 pages)

III. WEEKS EIGHT-TEN: The problem of free will. If the world is causally

deterministic, how can human beings have free will?

READING:

THIRD PAPER (4-5 pages)

IV. WEEKS ELEVEN-FOURTEEN: What is the relationship between faith

and reason?

READING:

WEEK FIFTEEN: Retrospective

FOURTH PAPER (4-5 pages)