Introduction to Knowledge and Reality

Philosophy 194

Introduction to Knowledge and Reality

Fall 2016

Professor Matthew Davidson

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Office Hours: TuTh 2-4 UH 201.46

Phone: (909) 537-7727

Course Description.

In this class we will focus on some classic philosophical problems as they arise (largely) in metaphysics and epistemology. Topics include:

*Study of an argument that God exist (Cosmological Argument).

*Study of an argument that it's rational to think that God doesn't exist (The Problem of Evil).

*What is nature of the human mind and human mental states?

*Can we know the world is largely as it appears us to be?

*What makes something a work of art?

*What is the purpose of education?

There is one required book for the class, Reason and Responsibility (16th ed.) ed. Feinberg and Shafer-Landau. There is one recommended book for the class, A.P. Martinich Philosophical Writing: An Introduction.

Some readings will be on the website. You should print these out so you have hard copies of them in class.

About the Class

I expect you to come to class each day having done the assigned reading and with questions to ask. It will not be possible for you to read the material assigned for the course without having questions. You need to take notes on what you are reading, and you need to write down your questions and bring them to class. The material will be hard. This class will focus on critically evaluating ideas through class discussion and reflection both inside and outside class. I will not feed you information which I expect you to memorize, write down for a test, and forget. The goal of this class is to assist you in thinking. This often has little to do with memorizing facts. Also, just because you're not being fed a spate of information you shouldn't think you shouldn't be taking notes. You should be thinking hard about what is being discussed in class, and you should be taking notes as you think through problems and listen to what your classmates or I have to say.

Assignment of Grades

The grade will consist of a midterm (30%), a last exam on the last day of class (10%), n short critical papers that are graded to be assigned randomly throughout the quarter and to be turned in the next class period (worth 25/n% each), and a final paper due the day of the final worth 35%. There may be pop-quizzes given. Each will be worth 3% of the grade, and these points will be taken from the final exam, final paper, and midterm; in that order. The papers should be typed, and double-spaced in 12-point Arial or Helvetica font. No papers will be accepted late without a very good reason. You should e-mail me to find out what you missed in class if you miss class; not knowing about the assignment isn't sufficient grounds for an extension on it. Always keep extra copies of your papers. All students should be familiar with the University regulations on plagiarism, as stated in the Bulletin. You may find a link to the Bulletin and information on plagiarism on the website.

There is opportunity for extra credit. You can earn the equivalent of one short assignment if you bring an item (more than one is great, but only one is required) of food to The Den (the food pantry at CSUSB). (Ask them for a note to give to me.) If you can't or for some reason don't want to donate an item, come talk to me and I'll give you an extra writing assignment.

Final grades will be assigned as follows: n0% will suffice for a grade G-. n3% will suffice for a grade of G. n8% will suffice for a grade of G+. (So, 80% is a B-, 83% is a B, and 88% is a B+).

Classroom Conduct

This is an electronic-free zone. Please put phones away (under the desk), and no texting. No laptops, Kindles, or tablets (iPads, etc.).

Please do not talk while others are talking. If you have to leave class early, please let me know and sit by the door. If you have some sort of condition which causes you to have to leave the classroom often, please let me know and sit near the door.

No knives (other than penknives), guns, or other weapons (throwing stars, nunchakus, garrottes, galleys, halberds, catapults, etc.) are allowed in class. If you have any of these in class, you forfeit your right to continue in the course, and may be ejected from the class and/or referred to the University for further disciplinary action.

If you are in need of an accommodation for a disability in order to participate in this class, please let me know ASAP and also contact Services to Students with Disabilities at UH-183, (909)537-5238.

This class is a rare opportunity to have your minds challenged and stretched, your thinking deepened and clarified. This has obvious practical benefits, but apart from these I hope that you will see that thinking and learning is good for its own sake, intrinsically good.

Furthermore, if philosophy is something that interests you, I encourage you to consider taking further courses, and, maybe even consider majoring in philosophy. Feel free to talk to me about other classes you might take, or have a look at the department website here.

Schedule

The following is a rough schedule of readings and assignments. We may deviate temporally from the schedule as our interests dictate, and we may examine additional materials to aid in our understanding of the texts. All readings are from Reason and Responsibilityor on the web (and I will indicate those on the web).

Week 1: Introduction; Logic: Feinberg: A Logic Lession (pp. 1-8).

Week 2: The Cosmological Argument: Russell/Copleston (on web); RC video.

Week 3: The Cosmological Argument: Rowe/Clarke (pp. 49-59).

Week 4:Finish Cosmological Argument. Begin The Problem of Evil(Swinburne/Mackie) (on web).

Week 5: Continue Problem of Evil

Week 6: Finish Problem of Evil. Begin Dualism vs. Physicalism in Philosophy of Mind. Read Frank Jackson "The Qualia Problem" (pp. 372-376). Midterm.

Week 7: Continue Dualism vs. Physicalism. Read David Papineau "The Case for Materialism" (pp. 376-382).

Week 8: Skepticism. Matrix. Read Pollock, "A Brain in a Vat" (pp. 193-195). GE Moore "Proof of an External World" (pp. 290).

Week 9: Continue Skepticism. What is Art? Dickie vs. TBA (both on web).Rough Draft Due

Week 10: Continue Art. Hook, "What is a Liberal Education" (on web; read pp. 137-164—no need to print this one out).

The final paper is due the day of the scheduled final exam period.

Additional course materials will be available on the webpage.