Philosophy of Human Nature – PHIL 1000 Section R16
(Fall 2013)
Instructor: Joseph M. Vukov
Meeting Time: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 1:30pm-2:20pm
Location: Keating 218
Office: Collins B15
Office Hours: Mondays 2:00-4:00pm or by appointment
Office Phone: (718) 817-3458
Email: joseph.vukov@gmail.com or jvukov@fordham.edu
Course Description [from catalogue]: A philosophical reflection on the central metaphysical and
epistemological questions surrounding human nature, which includes discussion of some or all of the
following problems: the body/soul distinction and the mind/body problem; the problem of knowledge
(relativism, skepticism, the objectivity of knowledge; faith and reason); free will and determinism; and self
and society (subjectivity, personhood, sociality, historicity, and tradition). At least 60% of each section of the
course is devoted to readings from Plato, Aristotle, Augustine or Aquinas, and Descartes. Each section
includes some writings by at least one contemporary figure.
Course Objectives [my own]: This course introduces students to important philosophical methods and
problems using historical and contemporary thinkers. The objectives of the course are threefold:
First, students who successfully complete the course will demonstrate the acquisition of important critical
thinking skills. These skills include, but are not limited to: the ability to use basic propositional logic to
recognize valid, inductive, and fallacious arguments; the ability to write clearly and concisely; the ability to
read a piece of philosophy critically; and the ability to identify and construct arguments.
Second, students who successfully complete the course will demonstrate familiarity with key philosophical
problems and the relevance of these problems to a number of historical figures. Problems discussed will
include: the mind-body problem, the problem of personal identity and immortality, the problem of free will
and determinism, and various problems of knowledge.
Third, students who successfully complete this course will become familiar with the distinctive way in which
philosophy studies the world. Philosophy is a unique discipline in that it values rigorous argumentation and
keen observation – like the sciences – but at the same time values creativity and individual expression – like
the arts. By the end of the semester, students will be able to recognize good philosophical work and
understand how philosophy is similar to and different from other areas of study. Ideally, students will also
be able to produce pieces of philosophical writing themselves.
Prerequisites: None.
Notice from the Office of Disability Services. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of
the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, all students, with or without disabilities, are entitled to equal
access to the programs and activities of Fordham University. If you believe that you have a disabling
condition that may interfere with your ability to participate in the activities, coursework, or assessment of the
object of this course, you may be entitled to accommodations. Please schedule an appointment to speak
with someone at the Office of Disability Services (Rose Hill - O’Hare Hall, Lower Level, x0655 or at
Lincoln Center – Room 207, x6282).
Texts
Required
Five Dialogues Plato
Meditations, Objections, and Replies Descartes
On the Free Choice of the Will Augustine
Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality John Perry
Selected Readings Available on electronic reserve [ERes]
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism and other forms of cheating will not be tolerated. All offenses will be reported to the dean of the
student’s college. Penalties for cheating are – at minimum – as follows:
First Offense: The student will receive an F on the assignment.
Second Offense: The student will receive an F in the course.
For Fordham’s full official policy on academic integrity, see:
http://www.fordham.edu/Audience/handbooks.shtml#6
Basic Expectations
I expect from you:
 Interaction: I expect you to interact regularly, intelligently, and respectfully with the readings,
with your classmates, and with me.
 Preparation: I expect you to complete your readings and assignments by the day for which they
are assigned.
 Thoughtfulness: I expect all of your work to demonstrate time spent thinking. Our texts all
merit careful reading; the issues and ideas we will be covering are complex and must be
addressed as such. In short, whether you are explaining another’s view or putting forward your
own, I expect your work to reflect effort.
 Punctuality: I expect you to arrive to every class session and turn in every assignment on time.
Late assignments will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made at least three
days before the assignment is due.
 To turn off any screens: Computers and cell phones are not to be used in the classroom.
You Can Expect from Me:

Timeliness: I will return your assignments in a timely fashion. I will also reply to emails within 48


hours of receiving them.
Preparation: I will come to class well-prepared for the day’s lesson.
Availability: I will be available at office hours to answer any questions about assignments, grading, or
any other aspect of the course.
Means of Evaluation
Your final grade will be a weighted one. This means that various assignments will count towards a certain
percentage of your final grade. The assignments and their respective weights are as follows:
Reading Responses: 30%
There is simply no way that you can meet the objectives of this course without completing and interacting
with the assigned readings. Therefore, a large portion of your grade will consist in proving to me that you
are in fact engaging with them.
In order to do this, you will turn in responses to selected readings. Each response will be graded out of 10
points and must follow the ‘Reading Response Template’ available on Blackboard. You may turn in a
response for every reading marked with an (RR) in the Schedule of Readings and Assignments found
below. In order to receive full credit for your reading responses, you must accumulate 120 points. Once
you have these 120 points, you will not be able to receive any more credit for reading responses. Responses
are due at the beginning of class on the day for which the reading is assigned; you may submit them either in
hard copy or by email, although email is preferred.
Logic Test: 10%
You will be tested on our logic unit. This test will be comprised mostly of short answer questions.
Logic Test Date: Class 5
Paper 1: 15%
In your first paper, you will rehearse the argument for substance dualism, offering a defense of each of the
premises. This assignment will allow you to show that you understand how a philosophical argument works
and will also help hone your writing skills. You will be allowed to complete two drafts of this assignment.
Only your highest grade will be recorded.
Paper 1 Draft 1 Due: Class 10
Paper 1 Final Draft Due: Class 14
Attendance: 5%
Attendance will be recorded at every class session. You are allowed two unexcused absences. For every
unexcused absence beyond this, I will deduct 1 percentage point from your attendance grade (i.e. if you
miss three sessions, you will receive 4% for attendance; four sessions, 3%; and so on). For Fordham’s
policy on excused absences, see:
http://www.fordham.edu/student_affairs/deans_of_students_an/student_handbooks/rose_hill_student_ha/u
niversity_offices/academic_affairs/student_attendance_p_72157.asp
If you miss more than six class sessions (whether these absences are excused or unexcused), you will receive
an F for the course.
Paper 2: 15%
In your second paper, I will expect you to demonstrate all the skills you have acquired throughout the
semester. You should demonstrate a thorough understanding of any books or articles with which you
interact (as in your Reading Reponses) as well as your ability to articulate and defend a philosophical
argument (as in Paper 1). In your final paper, however, I also expect you to formulate an original position,
one in which at least some of your premises and defenses are your own. Paper topics and further details
will be distributed later in the semester.
Paper 2 Due: Class 35
Final 20%
The final will be cumulative and will consist mostly of short answer questions. More information and a
review sheet will be distributed near the end of the semester.
Final Exam Date: TBA
Grading Scale
Your final grade will be assigned based on the following scale:

94-100%A

90-93% A-

87-89% B+

84-86% B

80-83% B-

77-79% C+

74-76% C

70-73% C-

60-69% D

0-59% F
Schedule of Readings and Assignments
Reading Responses are due by the beginning of class on the date for which the reading is assigned. You
may write a Reading Response for readings labeled (RR) below.
All readings and assignments are subject to alteration or modification.
Course Introduction – What is Philosophy?
Wednesday, 8-28 – Course Introduction
Friday, 8-30 – Russell – The Value of Philosophy [ERes]; Plato – Apology [start reading]
Tuesday, 9-3 – Plato – Apology (RR on entire Apology) [finish reading]
Wednesday, 9-4 – NO CLASS – CLASSES FOLLOW MONDAY SCHEDULE
Basic Logical Concepts
Class 1 – Copi – Basic Logical Concepts [ERes] and Aristotle – Selections on Logic [ERes]
Class 2 – Copi – Validity and Truth – [ERes]
Class 3 – Copi – Fallacies [ERes]
Class 4– Finish and review logic
Class 5 – LOGIC TEST
The Mind-Body Problem
Class 6 – Descartes – Meditations: Letter of Dedication, Preface, Meditation I (RR on Meditation I)
Class 7 – Descartes – Mediations: Meditation II (RR) and Jaworski – Argument for Substance Dualism
[ERes]
Class 8 – Descartes – Mediations: Meditation V and VI
Class 9 – Descartes – Meditations: Fourth Set of Objections [Read ‘Concerning the Nature of the Human
Mind’ and Descartes’ reply to this]; Jaworski – Objections to Substance Dualism
Class 10 – Paper 1 Draft 1 Due
Class 11 – Jaworski – An Argument for Physicalism (RR)
Class 12 – Jackson – What Mary Didn’t Know (RR) [ERes] and Hempel’s Dilemma from Stanford
Encyclopedia of Philosophy [ERes]
Class 13 – Aristotle – Mind Selections [ERes]
Philosophy of Religion
Class 14 – Aquinas – from Summa Contra Gentiles (RR) [ERes] – Paper 1 Final Draft Due
Class 15 – Clifford – The Ethics of Belief [ERes]
Class 16 – Malcolm – The Groudlessness of Religious Belief [ERes]
Class 17 – Aquinas – The Five Ways (RR on entire reading) [Eres]
Class 18– Aquinas – The Five Ways [ERes]
Class 19 – Augustine – On the Free Choice of the Will Book I (RR)
The Problem of Free Will, Determinism, and Moral Responsibility
Class 20 – In-Class Movie – La Jetee
Class 22– Jaworski – Free Will [ERes] and Augustine – On the Free Choice of the Will Book I
Class 23 – Augustine – On the Free Choice of the Will Book II (RR)
Class 23 – Augustine – On the Free Choice of the Will Book III
Class 24 – Strawson – The Impossibility of Moral Responsibility (RR) [ERes]
Class 25 – Ayer – Freedom and Necessity (RR) [ERes]
Class 26 – Chisholm – Human Freedom and the Self [ERes]
The Problem of Personal Identity and Immortality
Class 27 – Plato – Phaedo [start reading]
Class 28 – Plato – Phaedo (RR on entire Phaedo) [finish reading]
Class 29– Perry – Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality: First Night
Class 30 – Perry – Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality: Second Night
Class 31 – Perry – Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality: Third Night
Class 32 – Unger – I do not exist [ERes]
Class 33 – Aristotle – Selections on Identity Part I (RR) [ERes]
Class 34 – Aristotle – Selections on Identity Part II (RR) [ERes]
Class 35 – Aquinas – Selections on Identity [ERes] – Paper #2 Due
Course Wrap Up
Class 36 – Plato – Meno (RR)
Class 37 – Russell – The Value of Philosophy [ERes]; Plato – Apology
Class 38 – LAST DAY – Final Review