PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY

PHIL 232 TTh 9am-10am in AUD A, Angell Hall
The University of Michigan
Fall 2004


Instructor: James Woodbridge
email address: jwood@umich.edu
Course Webpage: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jwood/umich/Phil232.htm
Office Hours: T 2pm-3pm, W 12:30pm-2pm, and by appointment
Office: 2203 Angell Hall
Office Phone: 764-6882
Dept. Phone: 764-6285


SECOND PAPER ASSIGNMENT

Pick one of following topics and write a 4-5 page paper fulfilling the tasks assigned.

Your paper is due at the beginning of lecture (9am) on Thursday, December 2nd.

Topics:

1. In Section IV of An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, David Hume presents a problem regarding certain beliefs about matters of fact. This problem has come to be known as The Problem of Induction. The principle being called into question is in fact the basis of most of our common sense and scientific beliefs. Explain in your own words which specific class of common sense and scientific beliefs is challenged, what the problem is, and how it supposedly arises. (See p. 197.) Hume considers a natural-seeming reply that a defender of common sense and science might make, but explains why this reply cannot block the problem. What is the reply, and why doesn't it work? In Section V, Hume offers what he calls a "skeptical solution" to The Problem of Induction. He claims that we should not reject our ordinary practice of forming expectations about the future on the basis of our experience. What does he claim about induction in order to ground his position? Does Hume's "solution" deal with the central problem that concerns him? If you think it does, explain how. If you think it does not, is there anything more that can be said in support of induction than what Hume offers? Are there any broader conclusions about knowledge we might take Hume's views to suggest?

2. Explain in your own words the traditional notion of free will (i.e., the general idea common to Nagel, Campbell, and Taylor), including why we think it is important. What is the fundamental question, and what other kind of freedom gets confused with freedom of the will if this question is not identified? Explain what determinism is and why thinking about free will in the way indicated above makes the two seem incompatible. Next, explain Campbell’s position in "Has the Self 'Free Will'?" and Taylor’s position in "Freedom and Determinism," contrasting them with other possible views (mostly laid out in Taylor's piece). Briefly explain the points of agreement between Campbell and Taylor on the issue of free will. What are the basic details of their arguments for drawing the different conclusions they do from this common ground? In giving his argument, Campbell offers a particular criticism of attempts to argue against free will. What is the central idea of his criticism? Does Taylor’s argument concerning the theory of agency address this complaint Campbell draws from his "phenomenological analysis"? Evaluate these two competing positions on free will and explain which one you think has the better arguments behind it. Be sure to give reasons for siding with the view you pick.