Aug 26

Begin Journal & Study Guide I 

The key theme is the original meaning of philosophy and the nature of philosophical questions. The divisions of philosophy and myths about it. Journal Topic: What is Metaphysics. What is Epistemology? How do you know what you know?

A brief look at pre-Socratic Metaphysics.

Chapter 1 & 2

Sept 2

Journal Topic: The Socratic Method. Plato Theory of Forms. The early roots of skepticism. Plato’s theory of knowledge,

Chapter 3

Sept 9

Aristotle Metaphysics and Logic 

Journal Topic: Aristotles’s Metaphysics. St. Augustine’s blend with Christian theology. The philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas on the soul and God.

Chapter 4, 5

Sept 16

Journal Topic: Decaries’dualism 

The Materialism of Thomas Hobbes. Spinoza and Conway. John Locke’s representative realism. The idealism of George Berkeley 

Chapter 6

Sept 23

Journal Topic: 18th and 19th centuries in Philosophy.

Hume’s skepticism. Immanuel Kant’s theory of knowledge.

Why Kant’s epistemology restores many of the claims Hume said We couldn’t know. Hegel’s absolute idealism. Continental reactions to Hegel’s philosophy: Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Freud.

Chapter 7

Sept 30

Midterm Review TBA/Memory Matrix

Review Chapters 1-6. Journal, Matrix & Study Guide I

Oct 5, 7, 8

Midterm Exams Tentative

Oct 14

The origins and basis of Existentialism.

Albert Camus and J.P. Sartre. Basic themes of Phenomenology. Martin Heidegger's phenomenology. Heidegger views on poetry.

Chapter 8

Oct 21

The Pragmatic and Analytic Traditions.

The Philosophy of Mind.

Begin Study Guide II

Chapter 9

Oct 28

Midterm Results Mailed PLEASE DO NOT CALL. 

Moral Philosophy: Plato & Aristotle.

Epicureanism and Estoicism. Christianity. Hobbes and Hume.

Kant's notion of duty. The utilitarians. Nietzsche's nihilism.

Chapter 10

Nov 4

Political Philosophy: Plato & Aristotle. The basis of Natural Law and Contractarian Theory. Augustine and Aquinas. Hobbes, John Locke's Right to Property and Separation of Powers. Jean-Jacques Rousseau. American Constitutional Theory. Natural Rights and Declaration of Independence. Right to Privacy. Classic Liberalism and Marxism.

Chapter 11

Nov 11

Recent Developments in Ethics and Political Philosophy. 

G.E. Moore. W.D. Ross. Emotivism and Beyond. John Rawls' Liberalism. Robert Nozick's Libertarianism. Feminism. Communitarianism.

Begin the focus paper on a favorite philosophical topic amongst those studied. Use the text to help you. If you have questions call or E-mail me.

Chapter 12

Nov 18

Philosophy of Religion. Reason and Faith. Mysticism.

Descartes and Leibniz. 18th century perspectives: Hume and Kant.

Kierkegaard's pessimism, Nietzsche Antichrist and James's will to believe.

Topic: Respond to "Ethics" (Study Guide II)

Chapter 13

Nov 25

Review Chapters 8-12, Journal & Study Guide II (No need to return Joumal, which is meant for your own private use)

Dec 2, 4, 9

Final Exam (Tentative)

Dec 16

Final Results Mailed. PLEASE DO NOT CALL.