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Reading Assignments
(Readings from Introduction to Philosophy: Classical and Contemporary Readings (Third Edition), edited by Perry and Bratman, are listed by selection title, author, and pages numbers. Readings from What Does It All Mean? by Nagel are listed by author and chapter number. Readings from A Rulebook for Arguments by Weston are listed by author and chapter number.)
- For Sept. 9: Read "On the Study of Philosophy" by Perry and Bratman (1-6), "The Value of Philosophy" by Russell (9-12), and Nagel, Chapter 1.
- For Sept. 14: Read Apology: Defense of Socrates by Plato (27-42). These Reading Questions can help you focus on some of the main points. (They are just for you, not to hand in--but for discussion everyone should be able to answer at least these questions.) Also, read Weston, Chapters I, II, and VI.
- For Sept. 16: Read Weston, Chapters III, V, and X. My Logic Poem can help you keep clear on some of the basic concepts of logic. Also, look at Plato's Apology again and try to identify and classify (at least as deductive or inductive) arguments presented there.
- For Sept. 21: Read (and re-read) "The Ontological Argument" by Anselm (45-46) and (below Anselm's argument on the webpage) "How Someone Writing on Behalf of the Fool Might Reply to All This" by Gaunilo. You might want to check out the musical account of Anselm's argument too.
- For Sept. 23: Re-read Gaunilo's reply to Anselm and then read "Meditation V" from Meditations on First Philosophy by Descartes (130-133).
- For Sept. 28: Read "The Existence of God" by Aquinas (47-49). Be sure you can answer these Reading Questions as well. You might also want to get started on Parts II-V of Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion by Hume (57-71).
- For Sept. 30: Get started on Parts II-V of Hume's Dialogues. Also, start thinking about the First Paper Assignment. The paper is due Thursday, Oct. 7th. Be sure also to read my Paper Requirements and Policies.
- For Oct. 5: Finish Parts II-V of Hume's Dialogues (57-71). These Reading Questions can help you focus on central points.
- For Oct. 7: First Papers due. Papers should be submitted to your discussion section leader at the beginning of lecture (that's 9am, gang).
- For Oct. 12: Read "Evil and Omnipotence" by Mackie (103-110).
- For Oct. 14: Read Nagel, Chapters 2-3, then read "Meditations I-II" by Descartes (116-121). Think about these Reading Questions as well.
- For Oct. 21: Read Nagel, Chapter 4, then read "Meditations III-VI" by Descartes (121-139).
- For Oct. 26: Re-read Descartes' Meditations (116-139). Look at these Reading Questions to get clearer about some of the main points.
- For Oct. 28: Study for the First Test, which will be given on this day during the lecture time for the class (9:10am-10am). Bring your own bluebook! (And bring an extra for the memory challenged.)
- For Nov. 2: Re-read Meditations III-VI (121-139). Don't forget to vote!
- For Nov. 4: Read "Some Further Considerations Concerning Our Simple Ideas of Sensation" from An Essay Concerning Human Understanding by Locke (139-144).
- For Nov. 9: Read Sections II-V from An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding by Hume (190-205).
- For Nov. 11: Read Sections VI-VII from Hume's Enquiry (205-214). These Reading Questions can help you focus on some important points.
- For Nov. 16: Re-read Sections IV and V from from Hume's Enquiry (193-205). Also, check out the topics for the Second Paper Assignment. The paper is due on Thursday, Dec. 2nd (Note the new due date!), but you might want to hand it in before Thanksgiving break.
- For Nov. 18: Read Nagel, Chapter 6 and "Has the Self 'Free Will'?" by Campbell (417-426). These Reading Questions can help with focus.
- For Nov. 23: Read "Freedom and Determinism" by Taylor (437-449). Check out these Reading Questions to identify some important points.
- For Nov. 25: Have a good Thanksgiving!
- For Nov. 30: Read "Freedom of the Will and the Concept of a Person" by Frankfurt (450-459). Here are Reading Questions on Frankfurt.
- For Dec. 2: Second Papers due. Papers should be submitted to your discussion section leader at the beginning of lecture (that's still 9am). Also, read Nagel, Chapter 7.
- For Dec. 7: Read "The Challenge of Cultural Relativism" by Rachels (on-line reading). Here are some Reading Questions on Rachels.
- For Dec. 9: Read Chapters 1 and 2 from Utilitarianism by Mill (486-495) and "Criticisms of Utilitarianism" by Carritt (503-505).
- For Dec. 14: Study for the Second Test, which will be given on this day during the lecture time for the class (9:10am-10am). Bring your own bluebook! (And, again, bring an extra for a new friend.)
Last updated November 24, 2004
This site is maintained by James A. Woodbridge.
This document was created on September 9, 2004.