Phil 102-Section 01: Intro to Philosophy: Knowledge & Reality
Spring Semester 2015
Schedule Number: 22447
INSTRUCTOR and CLASS INFORMATION
Instructor: H. Reyes
Email: hreyes@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours Location: AL 427
Office Hours: MWF 11-11:50am; F 10-12:00n; and by appointment
Class Location: AL 105
Class Meeting Times: MW12:00-12:50 pm
COURSE OVERVIEW
Course Catalog Description
Phil 102: Knowledge & Reality (3) (GE) is an introduction to philosophical inquiry with emphasis
on problems of knowledge and reality. Students are encouraged to think independently and
formulate their own tentative conclusions.
Course Objectives
Phil 102 is an introductory philosophy course focusing on 2 general areas of philosophy:
epistemology (knowledge) and metaphysics (reality).
In Metaphysics the primary question that the philosopher is asking is: What is reality?
This question can be asked in different ways. For example, we can ask: is this world the really
real world? Or is there a world far more real than this world we are familiar with? Or is this
table (or any object around us) a real table? What makes a table (or any object around us)
really a table? Is it a table because of its shape? Is it a table because of its color? Or what is it
that makes us truly human? Are we human because of our body? Is there something else
other than our body that makes us human? Is that the mind/soul? What is the mind/soul? If so,
how is the mind related to the body? What happens to the mind/soul when we die? Does it
survive death? What is it to be a human being? Does every person have a mind or soul that is
separate from the body? What is personal identity? What makes a person the same person
from birth to death? Or is there God? Can we prove that God exists? Does God really exist? If
so, why is there evil in this world? ---- All these questions are different ways of asking the
question about what reality is. However way a philosopher answers such questions will show
the metaphysical view or the theory of reality of a philosopher.
In Epistemology the philosopher is concerned with asking: What is knowledge? This
question can be asked in different ways. For example, we can ask: Is knowledge attainable? Or
can we know? What are the sources of knowledge? What is knowledge and how does it differ
from mere opinion? Is sense experience necessary for all types of knowledge? What part does
reason play in knowledge? What can we prove with certainty or probability? Depending on
how such question is answered will determine the epistemological view of a philosopher.
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In pursuit of answers to these questions, this course will:
 Introduce students to original writings of major philosophers such as Socrates, Plato,
Aristotle, Anselm, Aquinas, Descartes, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Kant, and Sartre.
 Broaden students’ perspectives and help them appreciate well-structured arguments and
significant conceptual distinctions
 Present standard theories about knowledge and reality such skepticism, rationalism,
empiricism, moderate realism, idealism, Kantian theory, agnosticism, atheism,
existentialism, etc.
 Teach students how to critically evaluate a variety of opposing philosophical views
regarding knowledge and reality.
 Help students to explain, enunciate and summarize the basic claims and concepts of the
philosophers regarding their theory of knowledge and theory of reality
In addition, through careful reading (oftentimes, re-reading) of the materials of the course
students will develop analytical and critical skills in their thinking and writing as evidenced by
their being able
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to explain, enunciate and summarize the basic claims and concepts of the
philosophers
to interconnect and map the philosophers’ basic claims and concepts
to role play in a debate format by taking the position of a philosopher and defending
it against possible objection
to compare and contrast the basic claims of the philosophers discussed in the
course, highlighting their similarities and differences, as well as showing a very good
understanding of the philosophers’ basic claims
In pursuit of these objectives, the course will be based on the careful reading and extensive
examination of major philosophical theories on knowledge and reality. In so far as philosophy
is an on-going dialogue between earlier and later thinkers, we will approach each philosopher
that will be discussed in the context of his/her predecessor. In view of this, class discussion of
materials will generally follow a historical order. To help students develop keenness in the
assessment of the merits and weaknesses of the philosophical views discussed in the course,
students will be required to do a substantial amount of expository and critical writing in
response to the materials discussed in the course.
GENERAL EDUCATION (GE) OUTCOMES
Philosophy 102 is a General Education course aimed at “providing the breadth of knowledge
necessary for meaningful work, life-long learning, socially responsible citizenship, and
intellectual development. Among the “seven essential capacities” emphasized by San Diego
State’s General Education program, Philosophy 102 develops in students the ability to
1. Construct, analyze, and communicate arguments;
2. Apply theoretical models to the real world;
3. Contextualize phenomena;
4. Negotiate differences;
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5. Integrate global and local perspectives;
6. Illustrate relevance of concepts across boundaries;
7. Evaluate consequences of actions.
SPECIFIC GE LEARNING GOALS
Philosophy 102 fulfills the goals for GE Courses in the Humanities and Fine Arts. Students
will acquire “capacities for reflection, critique, communication, [and] cultural understanding.”
Goal 1: Analyze written, visual, or performed texts in the humanities and fine arts with
sensitivity to their diverse cultural contexts and historical moments.
Goal 2: Develops a familiarity with various aesthetic and other value systems and the ways they
are communicated across time and cultures.
Goal 3: Argue from multiple perspectives about issues in the humanities that have personal and
global relevance.
Goal 4: Demonstrate the ability to approach complex problems and ask complex questions
drawing upon knowledge of the humanities.
COURSE MATERIALS
REQUIRED TEXT: Cahn, S. (ed.). Classics of Western Philosophy (8th ed.). 2012. Hackett.
(ISBN: 978-1-60384-8)
NOTE: In addition to this text, I will be posting some e-lectures on Blackboard (BB) for your
reading and reflection.
COURSE STRUCTURE and CONDUCT
Our course is a blended (or hybrid) class. It is a blended class where we have face-to-face
class (F2F) meetings twice a week, Mondays and Wednesdays 10-10:50 am. Our third meeting
of the week will take place online. On Fridays, students will either view carefully reflect on an
e-lecture posted on Blackboard (BB) and work on an Online Discussion Board (ODB).
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
1) To see whether you meet the distance learning prerequisites, please take SDSU’s “readiness
survey” at https://sunspot.sdsu.edu/pls/webapp/survey.hybrid_learning.main
2) Download Mozilla’s Firefox is recommended (however, some students claim that Safari or
Chrome work better for them).
3) Download (for free) all necessary software, including the latest versions of:
Acrobat Reader and Flash Player, QuickTime Player, and Java.
Adobe’s
4) Have a backup plan for fulfilling course obligations when/if your computer malfunctions. For
example, to find out about computers at the library; go to http://scc.sdsu.edu/home.php.
5) If you need to learn how to use Blackboard, go to: http://its.sdsu.edu/blackboard/student/
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6) Re: Technology -- The instructor cannot provide IT support. You are responsible for your
computing needs. When problems occur on the SDSU end (blackboard crash, our clerical
errors), you will not be penalized. However, when problems occur on your end, you must fix
them prior to any deadlines. Student IT problems are not an acceptable excuse for noncompletion of work. You can go to Student Computing Center in Love Library for help or to
use their computers; call (619) 594-3189; email scc@rohan.sdsu.edu; or click
http://scc.sdsu.edu/home.php.
7) To be successful in this course, students are also required to:
 Carefully read the assigned reading(s) found in the Cahn textbook before coming to class
 Make use of the e-lectures and other course materials available via Blackboard. These electures are only available in Blackboard for a period of time, so be sure to access these
materials as soon as these are posted on BB.
• Participate in class discussion and submit the ODBs on the due date (and time) these are
supposed to be submitted. NO EXTENSION of due dates is allowed.
• Complete readings and assignments by the dates indicated on the syllabus.
• Check your emails and pay attention to the announcements made in Blackboard
8) CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:
Use of laptop/tablet in class is ALLOWED ONLY for the purpose of accessing the
electronic version of the text and for note taking. Students will lose this privilege if they use
their laptop/tablet for other than those specified activities.
Students should also refrain from any activity/behavior that may be disturbing to other
students who are making the effort to be attentive. Let us show RESPECT FOR EACH
OTHER by coming to class on time, not sleeping during class, not letting our cell phone to
ring as class is going on, and by being actively engaged in whatever is going on in class.
Finally, the classroom is not the proper place for sleeping.
COURSE ASSESSMENT AND GRADING
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Attendance and Participation (MW - F2F in class and F - online):
Because of the nature of the course and the structure by which it is conducted, it is imperative
for the students to attend each F2F class on time.
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It will be to your benefit to avoid unnecessary absences in the F2F part of the class as
such absences will drastically affect your appreciation and understanding of the
materials discussed as well as your performance in the tests.
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On the F2F class meeting: You must be prepared for each class and actively
participate in class activity. You will have (or at least have tried to) read and thought
about the assigned reading before each class. Be sure to bring the assigned text or
handout with you to class. Active participation requires that you follow closely the
on-going class discussion, and think of the questions asked and the answers offered
even if you may not be the one being asked. Keep in mind that you are a major
participant to the philosophical conversation going on in class.
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On the Friday Online class: Participation will be through Blackboard. You will be
doing online discussion through what I call Online Discussion Board (ODB). For
every major reading assigned, you will be asked to answer some questions based on
the reading, or make comments about some passages taken from the reading, or
participate in a group discussion or activity.
2. 2 Writing Assignments (WA): For two of the major readings that we will be doing in this
class, you will submit what is called Writing Assignment. Your WA will consist of your
answers to the guide questions provided for a particular reading. Please refer to the course
outline section of this handout for the due dates for these 2 WAs. Ten (10) points will be
deducted from the WA grade the WA that is submitted late.
3. 3 Major Exams (ME): All major exams are done in class. These are announced/scheduled
whole class period essay exams. One week before the scheduled major exam (to give focus
and direction in your preparation) you will be provided through Blackboard with guide
questions from which the major exam questions will be chosen at random. Please refer to the
course outline section of this handout for the dates of these major exams.
4. Comparative Analysis Paper (CAP) – In lieu of a final exam, you will submit a
comparative analysis paper on the day of final exam for our class (Monday, 12/15/14)
wherein you will construct a dialogue or conversation between 2 philosophers discussed in
the course, highlighting in the dialogue areas of similarities and differences in their basic
philosophical claims about knowledge and reality. More details about this paper will be
provided in a separate handout that will be posted on Blackboard.
GRADING POLICY:
Your final grade will be based on the following distribution of points:
45 % -------------------- 3 Major Exams
20 % -------------------- 2 Writing Assignments
15 % -------------------- Online Discussion Board (ODB)
20 % -------------------- Final Paper (CAP)
100 % ------------------ Final Grade
Your final letter grade will be based upon the following scale:
96 – 100 ---------- A
76 – 79 ----------- C+
90 - 95 ----------- A73 – 75 ----------- C
86 – 89 ----------- B+
70 – 72 ----------- C83 – 85 ----------- B
66 – 69 ----------- D+
80 – 82 ----------- B60 – 65 ----------- D
Anything below 60 is an F.
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STUDENT DISABILITY SERVICES & RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
Student Disability Services
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it
is your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any
delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as
soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations
based upon disability cannot be provided until you have presented your instructor with an
accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
The CSU Office of the Chancellor defines a learning disability as “... a generic term that refers to
the heterogeneous group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and
use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or mathematical abilities. These disorders
occur in persons of average to very superior intelligence and are presumed to be due to central
nervous system dysfunction. Even though a learning disability may exist concomitantly with
other handicapping conditions (e.g., sensory impairments) or environmental influences (e.g.,
cultural/language difficulties), it is not the direct result of these conditions or influences.” If you
think something might prevent you from doing well in this course, you should discuss this with
me so that proper arrangements may be made to accommodate your needs.
Religious Observances
By the end of the first week of classes, students should notify the instructor of planned absences
for religious observances. They must inform faculty members within the first week in order to
be excused from scheduled tasks on scheduled days.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
The University adheres to a strict policy regarding cheating and plagiarism. These activities will
not be tolerated in this class. Become familiar with the policy
(http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/conduct1.html). Any cheating or plagiarism will result in failing this
class and a disciplinary review by Student Affairs.
Examples of Plagiarism include but are not limited to:
 Using sources verbatim or paraphrasing without giving proper attribution (this can
include phrases, sentences, paragraphs and/or pages of work)
 Copying and pasting work from an online or offline source directly and calling it your
own
 Using information you find from an online or offline source without giving the author
credit
 Replacing words or phrases from another source and inserting your own words or phrases
 Submitting a piece of work you did for one class to another class
If you have questions on what is plagiarism, please consult the policy
(http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/conduct1.html) and this helpful guide from the Library:(
http://infodome.sdsu.edu/infolit/exploratorium/Standard_5/plagiarism.pdf)
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COURSE OUTLINE/SCHEDULE (ONLY for the F2F Class Meetings)
NOTE: Please pay attention always to the e-lectures that are to be posted on BB. You will
receive an announcement via BB when an e-lecture is posted on BB.
01/21/2015 (W): Introduction to the course
- Introductory discussion: What is philosophy? – its etymology, and general divisions
or areas.
Assignment: Read the Apology from Cahn text, pp. 27-39
01/26/2015 (M) & 01/28/2015 (W): SOCRATES
- Introduce Socrates and the Apology reading
- ODB #1DUE: Friday, 01/20/2015 (11 pm)
Assignment: Re-read Apology from Cahn text, pp. 27-39; and begin work on WA #1
(Apology). Note: WA #1 Guide will be posted on Blackboard.
02/02/2015 (M) & 02/04/2015 (WW: SOCRATES – Reflect on the life and ideas of an
exemplar philosopher in the person of Socrates
- Discuss the Apology
- ODB #2 DUE: Friday, 02/06/2015 (11 pm)
Assignment: Complete WA #1; and read Plato’s Meno from the Cahn text, pp. 80-96
02/09/2015 (M) & 02/11/2015: PLATO
- Introduce Plato
- Discuss Meno
- Discuss Plato’s Theory of Forms
- WA #1 DUE – Wednesday, 02/11/2015 – Hard copy to be submitted in class
- ODB #3 DUE – Friday, 02/13/2015 (11 pm)
Assignment: Read Book 6 and Book 7 of Plato’s Republic from Cahn text, pp. 169-178
02/16/2015 (M) & 02/18/2015 (W): PLATO
- Reflect on the philosophical claims of Plato
- Discuss Plato’s Cave Metaphor and divided line analogy
- Discuss Plato’s Sun analogy
- ODB #4 DUE – Friday, 02/20/2015 (11 pm)
Assignment: Review for Major Exam #1 (ME #1 guide will be posted on Blackboard);
and read Aristotle’s On the soul from Cahn text, pp. 229-242
02/23/2015 (M) & 02/25/2015 (W): ARISTOTLE
- Reflect on the philosophical claims of Aristotle
- Discuss Aristotle’s Theory of Hylomorphism
- MAJOR EXAM #1, Wednesday, 02/25/2015
Assignment: Read Book 1 and Book 2 of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics from Cahn
text, pp. 275-290
03/02/2015 (M) & 03/04/2015: ARISTOTLE
- Continue to reflect on the philosophical claims of Aristotle
- Discuss Aristotle’s Theory of Ideogenesis
- Discuss some claims made by Aristotle from the Nicomachean Ethics
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- ODB #5 DUE – Friday, 03/06/2015 (11 pm)
Assignment: Review your notes on Plato and Aristotle for comparative Analysis of the
two philosophers
03/09/2015 (M) & 03/11/2015 (W): ARISTOTLE/PLATO
- Comparative Analysis of Plato and Aristotle
- Introduce the question of the existence of God
- ODB #6 DUE – Friday, 03/13/2015 (11 pm)
Assignment: Read chapter 1 and chapter 2 of St. Anselm’s Proslogion from the Cahn
text, pp. 430-432; Gaunilo’s Reply on Behalf of the Fool from Cahn text, pp. 442-444;
and Anselm’s Reply to Gaunilo from Cahn text, pp. 445-450
03/16/2015 (M) & 03/18/2015 (W): ST. ANSELM
- Reflect on the claims of St. Anselm on the existence of God
- Discuss the so-called ontological argument of St. Anselm
- Discuss Gaunilo’s objection and the reply of St. Anselm to Gaunilo
- ODB #7 DUE – Friday, 03/20/2015 (11 pm)
Assignment: Read St. Thomas Aquinas’ On the Existence of God from Cahn text, pp.
467-470 and review for Major Exam #2 (Guide for ME #2 will be posted on BB)
03/23/2015 (M) & 03/25/2015 (W): ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
- Reflect on the claims of St. Thomas on the question of the existence of God
- Discuss question 2, article 1 and article 2
- Discuss question 2, article 3
- MAJOR EXAM #2: Wednesday, 03/25/2015
Assignment: Read Descartes’ Meditation 1 and Meditation 2 from Cahn text, pp. 533535; and begin work on WA #2 (Descartes) Note: WA #2 guide will be posted on
Blackboard.
SPRING RECESS -03/30/2015 (M) – 04/03/2015 (F) – NO CLASS
04/06/2015 (M) & 04/08/2015 (W): DESCARTES
- Reflect on the philosophical project of Descartes
- Discuss Meditation 1 of Descartes
- ODB #8 DUE – Friday, 04/10/2015(11 pm)
Assignment: Complete WA #2, and read Descartes’ Meditation 2 and Meditation 3 from
Cahn text, pp. 535-546
04/13/2015 (M) & 04/15/2015 (W): DESCARTES –
- Continue to reflect on the claims of Descartes
- Discuss Mediation 2
- Discuss Meditation 3
- WA #2 DUE: Wednesday, 04/14/2015 (Hard copy of WA #2 to be submitted in
class)
- ODB #9 DUE – Friday, 04/17/2015 (11 pm)
Assignment: Read Descartes’ Meditation 5 and Mediation 6 from Cahn text, pp. 549-559
04/20/20159 M) & 04/22/2015 (W): DESCARTES
- Continue to reflect on the claims of Descartes
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- Discuss Meditation 5 and Meditation 6
- Introduce the empiricists
- Read e-lectures on Locke and Berkeley posted on Blackboard
Assignment: Read e-lecture on Hume posted on Blackboard and begin work on
Comparative Analysis Paper (CAP) – CAP Guideline to be posted on BB
04/27/2015 (M) & 04/29/2015: LOCKE, BERKELEY and HUME
- Discuss Locke and Berkeley
- Discuss Hume
- ODB #10 DUE – Friday, 05/01/2015 (11 pm)
Assignment: Review for Major Exam #3 (ME #3 guide will be posted on Blackboard)
05/04/2015: MAJOR EXAM #3
Assignment for week #15: Complete Comparative Analysis Paper. THIS CAP is your
final exam.
05/06/2015: Last day of Class – Distribute pre-final grade
FINAL EXAM DAY: Wednesday, 05/13/2015 - Submit CAP [This is your Final Exam] to
Prof. Reyes in her office at AL 427 between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm.
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