Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 2003C – Spring 2005
MW 10:30a—11:20a; KIMP 102
Jack Lyons
Main 312
575-5825
jclyons@uark.edu
Office hours: MWF 11:30—12:30 or by appointment
Teaching assistants:
Jeffrey Perumal
Main 316
(479) 575-7553
jperuma@uark.edu
Office hours: MWF 12—1 or by appointment
Tony Woodside
Main 316
(479) 575-7553
twoodsi@uark.edu
Office hours: M 11:30—1:30; F 9:30—10:30
or by appointment
Introduction: In this course, we will look at some of the perennial issues in Western philosophy,
including the existence of God, the nature of the self, the scope of human knowledge, and the
foundations of morality. We will concentrate on three historically important thinkers: Plato,
Descartes, and Berkeley.
Primary Aim: To offer the student the opportunity to critically examine his or her own beliefs, in
a guided, disciplined manner.
Secondary Aims: (1) To improve the student’s skills in thinking abstractly and critically, in
evaluating and constructing logical arguments, and in communicating thoughts in a clear manner,
(2) to expose the student to some of the various positions and arguments that philosophers have
endorsed, and (3) to foster in the student an awareness of and appreciation for a reasoned, critical,
philosophical approach to these topics.
Required Books: Simon Blackburn, Think (Oxford UP)
Plato, Five Dialogues (Hackett)
Rene Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy (Hackett)
George Berkeley, Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous (Hackett)
Requirements: There will be two in-class exams, each worth 20% of the final grade, a paper
worth 20%, and a two-hour final exam, also worth 20%. All the exams will be essay exams. Since
engaging in philosophical discussion is an essential element in learning philosophy, the remaining
20% of your grades will be based on participation in discussion/drill sections. This includes
thoughtful and pertinent contribution to discussions as well as performance on any unannounced
quizzes and exercises assigned in discussion sections.
Policies: Lectures and discussion sections will frequently introduce material that is not in the
readings. You are responsible for finding out what transpired in any lecture or discussion section
that you have missed. The paper topics will be announced in your discussion sections. Papers on
other topics will not be accepted. Quizzes can be made up only in cases of excused absence.
All submitted work must be your own. Plagiarism and other forms of academic
dishonesty will be punished to the full extent of university policy. Make-ups and extensions will
be granted only under dire, documented circumstances and only when requests are made ahead of
time. Make arrangements with your TA.
Schedule of Events: The readings listed should be read before the dates given below. Be
prepared to discuss the material on the day for which it is assigned. The following is subject to
change.
Jan. 19
24
26
31
Feb. 2
7-9
14-16
21
23
28
Mar. 2-9
14
16-Apr. 11
13
18-May 2
4
Introduction – No readings
Plato, Euthyphro
Blackburn, What to Do?
Plato, Apology
Plato, Crito
Blackburn, God
Plato, Meno
Blackburn, Mind
Blackburn, The Self
Blackburn, Free Will
Plato, Phaedo
Blackburn, Knowledge
Descartes
Blackburn, The World
Berkeley
Catch-up, review
Mar 21-25
Spring Break
Feb. 17-18
Mar. 17-18
Apr. 14-15
First Exam
Second Exam
Paper Due
May 10
Final Exam: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.