Philosophy 100 - Introduction To Philosophy
Fall
2019
04
4.00
Patrick Grafton-Cardwell
TU TH 1:00PM 2:15PM
UMass Amherst
31554
Mary Lyon House rm 119 (loung)
pgraftoncard@umass.edu
The goals of this course are two-fold: to develop and hone students' analytical skills and to look at a number of the central issues in philosophy. Crucial to doing and understanding philosophy is an ability to present, explain, and evaluate arguments; throughout the course we will refine these abilities. By way of an introduction to a number of core philosophical issues we will take an in-depth look at one of the greatest works of philosophy of all time, Descartes's Meditations on First Philosophy. In it we will encounter skeptical arguments, arguments for the existence of God, and an argument for mind-body dualism. We will grapple with these issues in addition to questions about free will and ethics. (Gen. Ed. AL)
Open to Scientific Thinking RAP students in Knowlton Hall. PHIL 100-04
See http://www.umass.edu/rap/scientific-thinking-rap
What is the aim of science? Broadly speaking, the answer seems obvious?science seeks out knowledge of the world around us. Yet the obviousness of that answer belies deep, philosophical questions, including:
(1) What is knowledge? What does it take to have it?
(2) What is the nature of the world around us, such that we may come to know it through scientific investigation?
(3) If in principle events can be predicted with startling accuracy?as our best science suggests?then it seems our future actions can similarly be predicted. But if so, do we really have any choice in how we act? Are our actions really free?
(4) How do we, as persons with minds, fit into the world studied by science? Are minds just another part of physical reality, or something else entirely?
(5) Can the scientific method?and so scientific knowledge?be justified? That method rests on the assumption that future events can be successfully predicted from prior observations. But why think that assumption is true? That is, why think the future will resemble the past?
In this course, we'll do three things: we'll explore these and related philosophical questions; we'll consider some of the answers that have been proposed, both old and new; and finally, we'll work together to evaluate and articulate which answers we think are best and why. Along the way, students will develop their abilities to reason cogently and express themselves clearly?two essential skills for college and beyond, whatever one's pursuits.
See http://www.umass.edu/rap/scientific-thinking-rap
What is the aim of science? Broadly speaking, the answer seems obvious?science seeks out knowledge of the world around us. Yet the obviousness of that answer belies deep, philosophical questions, including:
(1) What is knowledge? What does it take to have it?
(2) What is the nature of the world around us, such that we may come to know it through scientific investigation?
(3) If in principle events can be predicted with startling accuracy?as our best science suggests?then it seems our future actions can similarly be predicted. But if so, do we really have any choice in how we act? Are our actions really free?
(4) How do we, as persons with minds, fit into the world studied by science? Are minds just another part of physical reality, or something else entirely?
(5) Can the scientific method?and so scientific knowledge?be justified? That method rests on the assumption that future events can be successfully predicted from prior observations. But why think that assumption is true? That is, why think the future will resemble the past?
In this course, we'll do three things: we'll explore these and related philosophical questions; we'll consider some of the answers that have been proposed, both old and new; and finally, we'll work together to evaluate and articulate which answers we think are best and why. Along the way, students will develop their abilities to reason cogently and express themselves clearly?two essential skills for college and beyond, whatever one's pursuits.