PHI 2010 PHILOSOPHY
Fall 2015
CRN 16739
Professor: Jeffrey S. Orlando
Email: jorlando1@valenciacollege.edu
Location: Building 5, room 210
Office hours: Mon – Thurs 1-4:30pm, Friday 9am-11:30am
Content
Philosophy is the pursuit of wisdom and understanding. This course will be a survey of fundamental
questions in the philosophical tradition. Some of the topics we will be addressing include: Identity (the
nature of the self), Free Will (choice & responsibility), Metaphysics (the nature of reality), Epistemology
(knowledge and truth), Ethics (moral action, the good life), and Social & Political ideologies (justice,
liberty).
Course Outcomes - Upon completion of this class, you will be able to:
- Identify key philosophical arguments that dominate Western thought
- Articulate contributions of notable thinkers in historical context, past and present
- Use critical thinking skills to examine personal convictions on a variety of beliefs
Educational Materials
Text: The Philosopher’s Way - 4th edition; John Chaffee
Assessment Methods and Evaluation
Grade scale - 100-90 A, 89.99-80 B, 79.99-70 C, 69.99-60 D, 59.99-0 F
Tests: 70% - (4). The first three tests given are worth 15% of your overall grade each. The fourth test will
be your Final Exam and it is worth 25% of your overall grade for this class.
Reflection papers: 20% - (5). Each paper is worth 5% of your overall grade. You will be assigned 5 short
response papers (200-250 words in length each, typed). These will be vital to demonstrating your
acquisition of philosophical concepts we encounter. The papers will be due in class on the date
indicated below. One of the papers can either be dropped or skipped; If you do them all, I’ll take the
highest 4 grades.
Class participation: 5% - I expect you to contribute to class, having read the assigned readings and
prepared to engage in discussion. We will be covering a variety of interesting and engaging topics, some
of which will inspire as well as challenge you. At times, there may be ideas or opinions related to the
material that you do not agree with. I expect everyone to conduct themselves in a civilized manner. I do
not expect you to have studied academic philosophy prior to taking this class. Therefore asking
questions and clarifying ideas is a necessary part of the learning process, and other students can benefit
from the questions you might ask.
Attendance: 5% - If you miss a lecture, it is your responsibility to stay on pace with the class. If you miss
5 classes, 5% of your class grade will be deducted. If you have a special circumstance, you’ll need to
speak with me about it as soon as possible.
Extra credit: x% - The possibility of extra credit will be addressed during the term.
No-show procedure: Any student who does not attend class prior to the start of the no-show reporting
period for each part of term will be withdrawn by the instructor as a no-show. This will count as an
attempt in the class, and students will be liable for tuition. If your plans have changed and you will not
be attending this class, please drop yourself through your Atlas account during the drop period for this
part of the term.
Drop / Withdrawal: You have until September 8th to drop this Fall 2015 course. After this date, a
voluntary exit from the class is considered a withdrawal. The withdrawal deadline is November 13th. If
you decide not to continue coming to class and do not properly withdraw yourself in Atlas by the
deadline, you will receive a failing grade as per the Valencia withdrawal policy.
Academic honesty: Each student is required to follow Valencia policy regarding academic honesty. All
work submitted by students is expected to be the result of the student’s individual thoughts, research,
and self-expression unless the assignment specifically states, “group project.” Do not copy lengthy
passages from the internet and paste them into your written work. It is unnecessary and it is punishable.
Any act of academic dishonesty will be handled in accordance with Valencia policy as set forth in the
Student Handbook and Catalog.
Electronics: The use of electronic devices (tablets, laptops, smart phones) is permitted only with the
approval of the instructor. Using cell phones during class (e.g. texting) is distracting to me and to the
students around you. I do not appreciate it, so please wait until after class for this.
Contact: If you need to contact me outside of class, please stop by my office during my advising hours,
or send me an email about setting up an appointment. ALWAYS use your Atlas email when sending me
anything via email. I ask that you put ‘PHI 2010’ and your name in the subject line.
Disclaimer: Changes to the syllabus may be made at the discretion of the instructor.
Schedule of topics and assignments
Week 1
Sept 1st Introduction / What is Philosophy?
Sept 3rd Ch 2 – Socrates and the Socratic Method p57-72
Week 2
Sept 8th Ch 3 – Who Are You? Consciousness, Identity, Self – Socrates, Plato, St. Augustine p102-111
Sept 10th Ch 3 continued – The birth of modern philosophy; Descartes p111-118
Week 3
Sept 15th Ch 3 continued – Locke, Hume, and Kant p119-131
Sept 17th Ch 3 continued – Ryle, Fodor, Churchland p137-154
Week 4
Sept 22nd Ch 3 continued, Contemporary philosophy of mind p152-154 / Reflection paper #1 due
Sept 24th Test #1
Week 5
Sept 29th Ch 4 Are You Free? Determinism, Indeterminism, Compatibilism – d’Holbach
p 172-184
Oct 1st Ch 4 continued – Stace, Schlick, Dennett p185-192
Week 6
Oct 6th Ch 4 continued – William James p193-202 / Reflection paper #2 due
Oct 8th – College Night / NO CLASS
Week 7
Oct 13th Ch 4 continued – Jean-Paul Sartre, Grimshaw p203-216
Oct 15th – Test #2
Week 8
Oct 20th Ch 5 Metaphysics – Plato, Aristotle p228-229, 239-255
Oct 22nd Ch 5 continued – Descartes p256-268
Week 9
Oct 27th Ch 6 What is Real? What is True? – Russell, Locke, Leibniz p282-299
Oct 29th Ch 6 continued – Berkeley, Hume, p300-315 / Reflection paper #3 due
Week 10
Nov 3rd Test #3
Nov 5th Ch 8 Ethics – Are There Moral Truths? p428-440
Week 11
Nov 10th Ch 8 continued – Ruth Benedict, Stace p440-454
Nov 12th Ch 8 continued – Ayn Rand, James Rachels p454-466
Week 12
Nov 17th Ch 9 – Ethical Theory - Aristotle p482-492
Nov 19th Ch 9 continued Immanuel Kant p493-506
Week 13
Nov 24th Ch 9 continued – Kierkegaard, Nietzsche p523-534 Reflection paper #4 due
Nov 26th – THANKSGIVING – NO CLASS
Week 14
Dec 1st Ch 9 continued - Sartre, Camus p535-545
Dec 3rd – Ch 10 What is Social Justice - Rawls, Marx p581-596
Week 15
Dec 8th Ch 10 continued
Dec 10th Review for final exam
Week 16
FINAL EXAM - TBA