PL-103 Reasoning and Politics



PHIL-101 Reasoning and Value – Summer session I, 2005

Syllabus – keep handy for reference

Dr. Aeon J. Skoble

341 Tillinghast, x2460

Email: askoble@bridgew.edu Web:

Office hours: MWR 12:30-1:30, or by appointment

Texts:

Understanding Arguments, 7th ed, R. J. Fogelin and W. Sinnott-Armstrong (UA)

Moral Philosophy: A Reader, 3rd ed, L. P. Pojman (ed.) (MPR)

Overview and objectives:

This course is meant to develop your critical reasoning skills by way of examining key philosophical issues in the area of values (i.e., moral philosophy), combined with a survey of the basics of logical reasoning. In other words, this course is simultaneously (1) an introduction to philosophy as a subject and as a practice, (2) an introduction to the study of values, especially moral values, and (3) a field exercise in applying critical reasoning skills to the understanding of argumentation. For example, we will be concerned with such questions as: What is reasoning? What are the standards for correct inference? What does it mean to prove something or to have a good reason? What is justice? What is the good life? What is happiness? What is virtue? Why should I care about morality or justice or virtue? Are values objective, or subjective? Can reason bear on such matters? Does might make right? Does morality come from religion? What is duty? These are questions which you probably have already put at least some thought into, but in any event you will likely find this course challenging, in the sense of being obliged to confront questions you have not already dealt with in a rigorous way, or in the sense of having your presuppositions subjected to scrutiny. By studying these fundamental questions and their history, you should

1) get a better sense of what constitutes a satisfactory answer to them

2) have a better idea of what values are and what it means to be moral, as well as develop a facility with the language of moral discourse

3) experience a marked improvement in critical reasoning skills, especially in terms of reasoning well in moral argument

4) hone your skills in written expression, especially regarding clarity, correctness, and precision.

5) develop an appreciation for philosophic inquiry as an important element of a liberal arts education that entails lifelong learning in the search for wisdom

We will begin with a general overview of philosophy and its contributions. After seeing the extent to which philosophy, and indeed all inquiry, depends on effective reasoning, we will explore the principles and methods of logic which are essential to sound thinking. Later, we will take up questions about the nature of justice and of the human person, objectivity in morals, courage, friendship, virtue, vice, happiness, duty, freedom, and other things. We will read many classic approaches to these topics, but always with a mind to truth – that is, your ultimate goal is to decide what is right and what is wrong, whether you agree or disagree with the theories we study, and whether you have good reasons for doing so. You are not required to agree with anyone we read, but you are required to keep an open mind and to be reflective.

You should come prepared – meaning, you should have done the readings, given them some thought, and be enthusiastic about exploring the issues further. If you honestly cannot muster any enthusiasm, drop the class! You’ll enjoy it more if you’re involved, participating, asking questions. Even if you can’t think of anything to say, you can show that you are interested and engaged by sitting upright, making eye contact with the professor, and seeming alert. Pay attention when your classmates speak, not just out of respect, although that’s important enough by itself, but because their comments and questions might be illuminating. While you’re at it, why not learn their names? At a minimum, don’t talk while they are talking, or otherwise disrespect them with body language and muttering.

Fair warning: Cheating on exams and quizzes is not tolerated. Plagiarism of any form on written assignments is not tolerated. You will receive an F in the course, and the professor will recommend to the Dean that you be expelled.

On a more positive note – Enjoy yourself! This class is meant to stimulate your mind, to provoke you, to challenge you, to shake you up a bit. The fact that there is real work ahead does not mean you cannot enjoy it. Keep a positive attitude, do your work, follow the guidelines, put in real effort, and you should get a lot out of the class and enjoy it. Remember, “if you get more into it, you’ll get more out of it.” It is my sincere hope that you do not view this class as a burdensome requirement, but as opportunity to explore some of the fundamental questions of life, to grow as a person, and to become better acquainted with some of the ideas that have, for better or worse, shaped our world. If you enjoy taking this class half as much as I enjoy teaching it, you’ll have a blast.

Requirements:

Midterm exam: 35%

Paper: 30%

Final exam: 35%

The midterm exam (6/15) will be a test of your grasp of logical reasoning methods and concepts. The final exam will be a blue-book essay test on those aspects of moral philosophy covered in class or in assigned readings. The paper will be a 3-4 page essay on a specific topic to be assigned later. You have the option of submitting a draft for ungraded feedback and comments. You are not required to do this, but if you choose to, drafts must be submitted on 6/20. They will be returned on 6/22, and in any event final versions are due 6/23. In addition, I require attendance and constructive participation. This includes but is not limited to preparedness, constructive contributions to class discussions, attentiveness to the material. Please keep in mind that in a summer-session class, each day is worth nearly a week, so you place yourself at great risk by skipping a day. Please only skip if absolutely necessary! If you miss 2 days or more, I will be forced to reduce your grade accordingly. Besides availing yourself of office hours, I will set up a course web page, linked on my homepage (listed above). Check that every few days, and also check your bridgew.edu email account regularly.

Outline:

|Monday (and Tues May 31) |Wednesday |Thursday |

|5/31 – Introduction to class. Syllabus; |6/1 – Understanding language as a component|6/2 – Close analysis and deep analysis of |

|brief outline and history of philosophy. |of understanding argument. Rhetorical |arguments; reconstruction and fundamentals;|

|Reasoning, argumentation, and philosophical|versus logical persuasion. |common fallacies in reasoning. |

|thinking. Fundamental laws of thought. | | |

|Axiomatic nature of logic and philosophy. |HW: UA ch. 4-5, 11-12 |HW: UA ch. 6 |

|HW: Read “Philosophy: Who Needs it?” | | |

|online; UA ch. 1-3 | | |

|6/6 – formal analysis of reasoning |6/8 – propositional logic continued; |6/9 – formal analysis of reasoning |

|(propositional). |inductive reasoning. |(categorical). |

| | | |

|HW: continue working through ch. 6 |HW: UA ch. 7 |HW: continue working through ch. 7 |

|6/13 – categorical logic continued. |6/15 – |6/16 – film screening TBA |

| |1st hour: Midterm Exam | |

|HW: |remainder: the nature of value; the | |

|Prepare for Midterm Exam; read “Defense of |structure and content of ethical theory. |HW: begin draft of paper; MPR II, III, VIII|

|Socrates” online | | |

| |HW: MPR Intro, I, IV | |

|6/20 – relativism and objectivism; egoism |6/22 – duty versus consequences: deontology|6/23 – virtue and vice; the nature of |

|and altruism; religion and morality. |and utilitarianism. |happiness |

| | | |

|Submit draft of paper (optional). |HW: MPR VII |Submit final version of paper. |

|HW: MPR V, VI | |HW: additional reading online TBA |

|6/27 – virtue ethics continued; discussion |6/29 – Conclusions. |6/30 – Final Exam |

|of papers. | | |

| |HW: Prepare for Final Exam | |

|HW: TBA | | |

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