Introduction to Philosophy
Instructor Randal Pyers
Email rpyers@gru.edu
Phone 706-830-6082
Course Description
This class will serve as an introduction to the study of Philosophy. We will read various
philosophers and explore answers to fundamental questions of human experience. What do we
know and how can we know it? How should we conduct ourselves? These are two examples of
the countless questions that arise. By reading Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, and others we can see
how answers to these complex and infinitely intriguing questions can be formed.
Course Objective
One objective of the course will be to better familiarize students with philosophic thought. The
main objective, however, will be to get students to think about the subject matter in relation to
themselves and their interaction with their environment. The profound insights given in these
master works can only be appreciated when viewed from within.
Papers
Most of the course grade will be based on the best three (out of four) short (4-8 page) essays,
each based on the texts we have discussed in class. The first two will be on assigned topics, the
last two are topics of the student’s choice. Be sure to cite all sources. Papers shall be typed,
double-spaced with a font size of 12 and with the student’s name on each page.
Class Participation
Class participation begins before you even get to class. You must have performed the assigned
reading and have been attentive to yourself both in what you comprehend and in what you do
not. Know in advance what your questions are, what you are still struggling to understand. Each
student will be required to bring a question for the beginning of each class. Most of what will
make the class valuable will be your own participation, even if only polite listening, to the class
conversation. There will be absolutely no toleration for distracting activities during class time.
A class grade will be given worth 25% of the student’s final grade. Points will be deducted from
this participation grade for not bringing a question to class, or not paying attention during class.
Attendance Policy
Students will be required to write a one page paper for each class discussion that is missed.
Failure to turn in this paper on the next class attended will result in a two point deduction from
the student’s final grade. All other University attendance requirements will be followed.
Course Schedule
January 8- Plato “Meno” 70a-85d
January 10- 85d-99b
January 13- Plato “Apology” 17a-28a
January 15-28a-42a
January 17- Plato “Crito”
January 22- Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Book I (1-6)
January 24- finish Book I
January 27- Book II
January 29- Book III
January 31-Book IV (1-3)
February 3-PAPER DUE
February 5- finish Book IV
February 7- Review Aristotle
February 10- Book V (1-4)
February 12- Book V (5-8)
February 14- finish Book V
February 17- Book VI
February 19- Book VII (1-8)
February 21- finish Book VII
February 24- Book VIII (1-7)
February 26- finish Book VIII
February 28- Book IX (1-7)
March 3- finish Book IX
March 5- Book X (1-5)
March 7- finish Book X
March 10- PAPER DUE
March 12- Descartes Meditations Preface, Synopsis
March 14- I
March 17- II
March 19- III (p33-44)
March 21- finish III
March 24- IV
March 26- V, VI (to p76)
March 28- finish VI
March 31- PAPER DUE
April 2- Nietzsche
April 4- Nietzsche
April 14- Nietzsche
April 16- Kierkegaard
April 18- Kierkegaard
April 21- Kierkegaard
April 23- TBA
April 25- TBA
April 28- TBA