PHIL 201: Introduction to Philosophy
Fall 2006
Gordon Knight
Office hours: 9:30-10:30 Tuesday and Thursday and by appt.
Office: 36 Catt Hall (in the basement)
Email: gknight@iastate.edu.
Phone: 294-7468
Required Texts:
Plato, Republic
Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy
Berkeley, Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous.
Perry, A Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality
Course description
This course will survey several crucial philosophical topics. Issues to be discussed will
include: Why be moral? What is it to be a good or just person? What is the nature of
knowledge? Is reality wholly physical, or are there also spirits or minds? Or is reality
perhaps entirely spiritual in character? Are there only particular things, or are there also
universal concepts such as “goodness” or “triangularity” also real? Are there good
philosophical arguments for or against the existence of God? Is it possible for a human
being to survive after death?
In the process of reading and thinking through these issues students should develop a
sense of the scope and nature of philosophical inquiry and thereby be better able to think
through and develop their own personal philosophical views.
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Course Requirements:
The grade for this course will be determined on the basis of 3 in class exams and a final
exam. The first two exams will each be worth 20 points each. The third exam and the
final exam will be worth 30 points. The grade for the course will be based on the
following scale:
89-100 A
78-88 B
67-77 C
50-66 D
Under 50 F
The exams will consist primarily of essay questions based on the readings and what we
discuss in class. I will post study questions on the course website.
If you have to miss an exam due to illness or other legitimate reason let me know as soon
as possible.
ADA Statement
Please address any special needs or special accommodations with me at the beginning of
the semester or as soon as you become aware. Those seeking accommodations based on
disabilities should obtain a Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) from the
Disability Resources (DR) office (515-294-6624). DR is located in Room 1076 of the
Student Services Building.
Provisional Course Schedule:
August 22-24: Logic and Argument
August 29-31 Republic Book II (entire), III 412a-417c
September 5-7 Book IV
September 12 Republic V 423a-473b
September 14 Exam
September 19-21 V 473b-480b; VI (entire)
September 26-28 VII 514a-521d; VIII (entire)
October 3 IX (entire),
October 5 Exam
October 10 Descartes Meditation 1
October 12 Mediation 2
October 17 Meditation 3
October 19 Meditation 4
October 24 Meditation 5
October 26 PART of meditation 6 (second full paragraph on page 96)
October 31 Perry, First Night
November 2 Perry, Second Night
November 7 Perry, Third Night 3
November 14 Review
November 16 Exam
November 20-24 THANKSGIVING BREAK
November 28 30 Berkeley, Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous. Dialogue 1
December 5-7 Berkeley, Dialogue 2
FINAL EXAM