22552 PHIL102: KNOWLEDGE AND REALITY
ONLINE
COURSE SYLLABUS
Fall 2014
Instructor: H. Reyes
Office: AL 427
E-mail: hreyes@mail.sdsu.edu
(619) 594-8839
Office Hours: MW 12:00 -1:00 pm; F 9:00 am-12:00 noon
CATALOG COURSE 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.
What is Phil 102 all about?
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
1
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.
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, it is our hope that 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
 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
2
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;
5. Integrate global and local perspectives;
6. Illustrate relevance of concepts across boundaries;
7. Evaluate consequences of actions.
SPECIFIC GE LEARNING GOALS
This GE course fulfills the goals for GE Courses in the Humanities and Fine Arts.
Students will acquire “capacities for reflection, critique, communication, [and] cultural
understanding.” Upon completing this area of Foundations, students will be able to:
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.
NOTE: Because this course is an online class, you need 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: Adobe’s Acrobat Reader and Flash Player, QuickTime
Player, and Java.
3
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
http://its.sdsu.edu/blackboard/student/
how
to
use
Blackboard,
go
to:
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 non-completion
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.
DISABLED STUDENT 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 (Calpulli
Center Room 3101) 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 I cannot
provide accommodations based upon disability until I have received 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.
Students with disabilities or religious needs who require special accommodation must
give us at least one weeks’ notice. Disability accommodation requires documentation
from SDS.
4
How Do We Communicate?
Through BLACKBOARD: I will be communicating with you through
the Blackboard announcement. Please be sure that you can receive
email from Blackboard. Please make sure that your email address
within the system is correct. Some email systems block Blackboard
mailings as if they are spam. Either fix this, or obtain an SDSU email
account (http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/newstudacct.shtml.)
When sending email (please use hreyes@mail.sdsu.edu) to me please include your full
name, ID number, and the course Phil 102 in the subject line.
I have many students, but I do wish to respond to your questions and concerns as soon as
I can. Please allow for a 24-hour turnaround. If you do not hear back from me in due
time, please try again with a different heading (in case the original was recognized as
spam).
REQUIRED TEXT
Cahn, S. Classics of Western Philosophy (8th edition). 2012. Hackett. (ISBN:
978-1-60384-8)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
For this online course, there are only 2 areas of requirements: weekly Online
Discussion Board and weekly quizzes. The Online Discussion Board (ODB) will be 40
percent and the Quizzes will be 60 percent of the final grade. Both of these requirements
will require substantial amount of critical and analytical writing. Specifics as to the
ODBS and the Quizzes will be provided through the announcements that will be posted
on Blackboard. All quizzes will be done online and you will be provided sufficient
amount of time to complete and submit the quiz.
NOTE:
In some of the Quizzes, you will work as part of a group. You will be
assigned a group to work with.
In some of the ODBs, you will be asked to critique/react/comment on the
postings of some of your classmates. YOU WILL DO THIS ONLY WHEN
SPECIFIED IN THE INSTRUCTION. YOU WILL NOT DO THIS FOR ALL
THE ODBS.
5
GRADING POLICY
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.
COURSE OUTLINE/SCHEDULE:
WEEK #1 (Week of 08/25/14): Introductory discussion: What is philosophy? – its
etymology, and general divisions or areas.
TO DO:
 Read Lecture 1.1 – What is philosophy?
 Read Lecture 1.2 – General areas of philosophy
 ODB #1 – Due Friday, 08/29/14 (11 pm)
 QUIZ #1 – Due, Sunday, 08/31/14 (11 pm)
WEEK #2 (Week of 09/02/2014): SOCRATES – Reflect on the life and ideas of an
exemplar philosopher in the person of Socrates
TO DO:
 Read Lecture 2.1
 Read Lecture 2.2
 Read Apology from Cahn text, pp. 27 - 39
 ODB #2 – Due Friday, 09/05/14 (11 pm)
 QUIZ #2 – Due, Sunday, 09/07/14 (11 pm)
WEEK #3 (Week of 09/08/14): PLATO – Reflect on the philosophical claims of Plato
TO DO:
 Read Lecture 3.1
 Read the Meno dialogue of Plato from Cahn text, pp. 80-96
 ODB #3 – Due Friday, 09/12/14 (11 pm)
 QUIZ #3 – Due, Sunday 09/14/14 (11 pm)
WEEK #4 (Week of 09/15/14): PLATO – Continue to reflect on the philosophical
claims of Plato
TO DO:
 Read Book 6 and Book 7 of Plato’s Republic from Cahn text, pp. 169-178
 Read Lecture 4.1
6


ODB #4 – Due Friday, 09/19/14 (11 pm)
QUIZ #4 – Due Sunday, 09/21/14 (11 pm)
WEEK #5 (Week of 09/22/14): ARISTOTLE - Reflect on the philosophical claims of
Aristotle
TO DO:
 Read Lecture 5.1
 Read Aristotle’s On the soul from Cahn text, pp. 229-242
 ODB #5 – Due Friday, 09/26/14 (11 pm)
 QUIZ #5 – Due Sunday, 09/28/14 (11 pm)
WEEK #6 (Week of 09/29/14): ARISTOTLE – Continue to reflect on the philosophical
claims of Aristotle
TO DO:
 Read Lecture 6.1
 Read Lecture 6.2
 Read Book 1 and Book 2 of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics from Cahn
text, pp. 275-290
 ODB #6 – Due Friday, 10/03/14 (11 pm)
 QUIZ #6 – Due Sunday, 10/05/14 (11 pm)
WEEK #7 (Week of 10/06/14): ARISTOTLE/PLATO – Comparative Analysis and
introduce the question of the existence of God
TO DO:
 Re-read all the lectures on Plato and Aristotle
 Read Lecture 7.1
 ODB 7 – Due Friday, 10/10/14 (11 pm)
 QUIZ #7 – Due Sunday, 10/12/14 (11 pm)
NOTE: QUIZ #7 is a group activity. You will be divided into groups
consisting of 4 members in each group and you will work as a group.
Details about this group activity will be posted in Blackboard.
WEEK #8 (Week of 10/13/14): ST. ANSELM – Reflect on the claims of St. Anselm on
the existence of God
TO DO:
 Read Lecture 8.1
 Read Lecture 8.2
 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
 ODB #8 – Due Friday, 10/17/14 (11 pm)
 QUIZ #8 – Due Sunday, 10/19/14 (11 pm)
7
WEEK #9 (Week of 10/20/14): ST. THOMAS AQUINAS – Reflect on the claims of
St. Thomas on the question of the existence of God
TO DO:
 Read Lecture 9.1
 Read Lecture 9.2
 Read St. Thomas Aquinas’ On the Existence of God from Cahn text, pp.
467-470
 ODB #9 – Due Friday, 10/14/14 (11 pm)
 QUIZ #9 – Due Sunday, 10/26/14 (11 pm)
NOTE: QUIZ #9 is a group activity. You will be divided into groups
consisting of 4 members in each group and you will work as a group.
Details about this group activity will be posted in Blackboard.
WEEK #10 (Week of 10/27/14): DESCARTES – Reflect on the philosophical project
of Descartes
TO DO:
 Read Lecture 10.1
 Read Lecture 10.2
 Read Descartes’ Meditation 1from Cahn text, pp. 533-535
 ODB #10 – Due Friday, 10/31/14 (11 pm)
 QUIZ #10 – Due Sunday, 11/02/14 (11 pm)
WEEK #11 (Week of 11/03/14): DESCARTES – Continue to reflect on the claims of
Descartes
TO DO:
 Read Lecture 11.1
 Read Descartes’ Mediation 2 and Meditation 3 from Cahn text, pp. 535546
 ODB #11 – Due Friday, 11/07/14 (11 pm)
 QUIZ #11 – Due Sunday, 11/09/14 (11 pm)
WEEK #12 Week of 11/10/14): DESCARTES - Continue to reflect on the claims of
Descartes
TO DO:
 Read Lecture 12.1
 Read Lecture 12.2
 Read Descartes’ Meditation 5 and Mediation 6 from Cahn text, pp. 549559
 ODB #12 – Due Friday, 11/14/14 (11 pm)
 QUIZ #12 – Due Sunday, 11/16/14 (11 pm)
NOTE: QUIZ #12 is a group activity. You will be divided into groups
consisting of 4 members in each group and you will work as a group.
Details about this group activity will be posted in Blackboard.
8
WEEK #13 (Week of 11/17/14): LOCKE, BERKELEY and HUME
TO DO:
 Read Lecture 13.1
 Read Lecture 13.2
 ODB #13 – Due Friday, 11/21/14 (11 pm)
 QUIZ #13 – Due Sunday, 11/23/14 (11 pm)
(11/24/14 – 11/28/14) – THANKSGIVING BREAK – NO CLASS
WEEK #14 (Week of 12/01/14) and WEEK #15 (Week of 12/08/14):
KANT/SARTRE – Reflect on the philosophical claims of Kant and Sartre
TO DO:
 Read Lecture 14.1
 Read Lecture 14.2
 Read Sartre’s The Humanism of Existentialism from Cahn text, pp. 13211333
 ODB #14 – Due Friday, 12/05/14 (11 pm)
 QUIZ #14 – Due Sunday, 12/07/14 (11 pm)
Congrats! End of Semester!
9