Department of Humanities and Philosophy
Introduction to Philosophy 1113/14273
Monday and Wednesday 2:00-3:15, LA 130
Fall 2010
Professor:
Office:
Office Phone:
Home Phone:
E-mail:
Office Hours:
John A. Murphy
LA 205D
974-5688
990-3052 (7:00am-9:00pm)
jmurphy9@uco.edu
Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:00-2:00 Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-12:30 (or by
appointment)
Cell Phones and Electronics
Use of any electronic device is prohibited without the express written permission of the instructor. Cell phones are to
be turned off when class begins; text messaging is strictly forbidden. Any student caught text messaging during class
will be asked to leave.
Course Description (There are no prerequisites for this course)
This course is a general introduction to the major areas of philosophical study wherein students will be provided the
opportunity to begin a critical analysis of their own philosophical beliefs.
Course Objectives
The objective of this course is to assist students in examining their own thoughts and beliefs by way of discussing and
evaluating arguments concerning philosophy of religion, epistemology, metaphysics and ethics. As Houston Smith
puts it, “Wisdom begins with the recognition that our presuppositions are options that can be replaced if found
wanting.”
Text
Rauhut, Nils CH. Ultimate Questions: Thinking About Philosophy (2nd Edition). Penguin Academics; 2007 (ISBN# 0321-41298-2)
Course Requirements
Philosophy is best learned through careful reading (and rereading) and active discussion. You are therefore strongly
encouraged to do the daily readings and participate in class discussions. You are required to complete three
examinations (100 possible points each) and will be given opportunity to submit three short extra-credit papers (10
possible points each).
Late and Make-Up Work Policy
Examinations may be made up as a result of the direst of circumstances (e.g., earthquake, childbirth, auto accident,
terminal illness, a great flood, global thermonuclear war, etc.). Students are expected to provide proof of any condition
or circumstance that requires the rescheduling of an examination. Examinations may not be made up two weeks after
their originally scheduled date. Extra-credit papers will not be accepted beyond their due date.
The grades break down as follows:
Examination I
100
Examination II
100
Examination III
100
Total
300
(Possible Extra-Credit points 70)
A 300-269
B 265-239
C 238-209
D 208-179
F 178-0
The Exams
There will be three equally weighed examinations. Each examination will consist of 50 multiple-choice, true or false
and matching questions (you will need to provide an 882-E scantron) as well as an essay component. You will be
presented with four to five essays and will be required to answer only two (25 possible points each). However, you
may answer one additional essay for extra-credit (10 possible points---you may answer two additional extra-credit
essays on the final exam). Be sure to write clear, concise, and thorough answers giving as much detail as necessary.
1
Short Extra-Credit Papers
Over the course of the semester you will be given opportunity to write three short (2-3 pages) extra-credit papers in
response to a film, a current issue or a particular philosophical challenge. These are not required but offered merely as
opportunities to acquire a few additional points. We will talk in greater detail about these as the semester unfolds.
Attendance Policy
Students who attend class regularly tend to pass, whereas those who do not tend to fail. Therefore, even though there
are no points attached to attending this course, attendance will be taken as a reference to general participation. Since
many of the positions we will be discussing are refutations or defenses of a previously discussed philosophical theory,
it is very difficult to stay on top of the course once one falls too far behind. Thus I encourage you to attend regularly.
Course Tutors
Free Philosophy Department tutors will be made available to students feeling in need of additional instruction or moral
support. I will introduce the tutors to the class a couple weeks into the semester.
UCO Student Information Sheet:
http://broncho2.uco.edu/academicaffairs/StudentInfoSheet.pdf
Tentative reading schedule:
Week I
Week II
Week III
Week IV
Week V
08/23/10
Introduction and Syllabus Review
08/25/10
What is Philosophy? (1-15)
Philosophical Tools (16-26)
08/30/10
Philosophical Tools cont.
Evaluating Deductive Arguments (32-38)
09/01/10
Deduction, cont.
The Ontological Argument for the Existence of God (195-200)
09/06/10
Labor Day
09/08/10
The Ontological Argument cont.
Evaluating Inductive Arguments (38-42)
09/13/10
Evaluating Inductive Argument cont.
The Design Argument for the Existence of God (187-194)
0915/10
The Design Argument for the Existence of God cont.
Logical Fallacies (Lecture)
09/20/10
Logical Fallacies cont.
EXAMINATION I REVIEW
09/22/10 EXAMINATION I
Week VI
Week VII
Week VIII
Week V
08/27/10
The Logical Problem of Evil (204-207)
09/29/10
The Logical Problem of Evil cont.
The Evidential Problem of Evil (207-210)
10/04/10
The Evidential problem of Evil cont.
10/06/10
Film: God on Trial (Extra-Credit Paper Opportunity)
10/11/10
What Do We Know? (44-50)
10/13/10
What do We Know? [Skepticism] (51-61)
10/18/10
What do We Know? [Skepticism], cont.
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Week VI
Week IX
Week X
Week XI
Week XII
Week XIII
Week XIV
10/20/10
What do We Know? [Empiricism] (61-73]
10/25/10
What do We Know? [Empiricism] cont.
10/27/10
What do We Know? [Rationalism] (73-83)
11/01/10
What do We Know? [Rationalism] cont.
EXAMINATION II REVIEW
11/03/10
EXAMINATION II
11/08/10
What Ought we To Do? (214-216)
11/10/10
What Ought we To Do? [Divine Command Theory] (228-231)
11/15/10
What Ought we To Do? [Divine Command Theory] cont.
(Extra-Credit Paper Opportunity)
11/17/10
What Ought we To Do? [Utilitarianism] (231-240)
11/22/10
What Ought we To Do? [Utilitarianism] cont.
11/24/10
Thanksgiving Break
11/29/10
Duty-Based Theories [Kantian Deontology] (240-248).
12/01/10
Duty-Based Theories [Kantian Deontology] cont
11/06/10
Hume and Morality as Sentiment (lecture).
11/08/10
EXAMINATION III REVIEW
FINAL EXAMINATION
WEDNESDAY, 12/15/10
1:00-2:50
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