PHIL 2101 - WD70 Introduction to Philosophy - Namm N-702 - 01/04/2016 - 01/22/2016
MoTuWeThFr 8:30AM - 11:11AM
Professor Carlo Alvaro
philonew.wordpress.com
calvaro@citytech.cuny.edu
Course Description
This course will introduce you to some of the main questions of philosophy, as they have been raised and
dealt with by several of the most influential thinkers in Western history. You will read works written by
them, some of the texts will be supplemented with class handouts.
Discussion and debate have been an essential part of philosophy. Thus, I will call on you frequently,
and expect you to contribute to the discussion.
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Course Objectives
To introduce students to the central themes of philosophy.
To introduce students to important classical and contemporary philosophers.
To introduce students to the methods for doing philosophy.
To help students appreciate the relevance of philosophy.
Semester Grade
Your semester grade will be determined on the basis of 5 requirements:
Exam 1
10%
Midterm
30%
Final
Paper
30%
20%
Participation 10%
Total
100%
Attendance and Absences
Students are expected to attend each class meeting. One may be absent without penalty for no more than 3
times per semester. If a student’s class absences exceed 3 times, I will assign a grade of “WU” to the
student. I will not accept any excuse. That is to say, if you are not in class—you are absent. If you are sick
and cannot come to class, I will mark you as absent. A doctor’s note will NOT make you present.
Lateness
Classes begin promptly at the times indicated on your Bursar’s Receipt. Arrival in class after the
scheduled starting time constitutes lateness. Two (2) latenesses will turn into an official absence.
Cell Phones, iPods, Games, Food, etc.
The use of cell phones, personal music devices, videogames, etc. is prohibited in classrooms. No eating is
permitted in the classroom.
Academic Integrity at City Tech
Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other
intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing
sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its
responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of
good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity.
Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York
City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and
expulsion. (NYCCT statement on academic integrity)
Examples of Academic Dishonesty
• Copying from another student during an examination or allowing another to copy your work.
• Using notes during a closed book examination.
• Using electronic devices during an examination.
• Presenting another person’s ideas or theories in your own words without acknowledging the source.
Course Schedule
1/4
PRESENTATION
1/5
What’s philosophy – Lecture 1
1/6
Lecture 1 - Logic
1/7
Lecture 1 - Ethics
1/8
The Pre-Socratics: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/presocratics/
1/11 Plato Euthyphro EXAM: http://www.indiana.edu/~p374/Euthyphro.pdf
1/12 Republic: http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/republic.html
1/13 Descartes: http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/descartes1641.pdf
1/14 Hume/Kant:
1/15 MIDTERM
1/18 No classes
1/19 Animal
1/20 PAPER
1/21 Craig
1/22 REVIEW
1/25 FINAL
http://socserv2.socsci.mcmaster.ca/econ/ugcm/3ll3/hume/enquiry.pdf
http://philosophy.eserver.org/kant-prolegomena.txt