Summer 2014
Philosophy 301—001
Philosophy in a Popular Mode: Philosophy and Science Fiction
Class Time: MTWR, 10:30am—1:00pm
CCC 126
Instructor:
Charles Joshua Horn, Ph.D.
Joshua.Horn@uwsp.edu
Office Location : CCC 470
Office Phone : (715) 346-2849
Office Hours : By Appointment
http://charlesjhorn.webstarts.com/index.html
“FANTASY IS THE IMPOSSIBLE MADE PROBABLE.
SCIENCE FICTION IS THE IMPROBABLE MADE POSSIBLE.”
ROD SERLING—CREATOR OF THE TWILIGHT ZONE
Course Description:
Science fiction is more than mere entertainment. By examining the brilliance of this literature, we
can make great strides in our own understanding of philosophy. This course will pay particular
attention to the relationship between science fiction, metaphysics, and epistemology. Metaphysics is
the study of the ultimate nature of reality and epistemology is the study of knowledge. This course
will be divided into four main sections: a) skepticism, b) free will and personal identity, c)
consciousness, and d) space, time, and modality. To motivate the philosophical discussions, we will
make use of different mediums in popular culture, including film, comics, and video games.
Some of the questions to be examined in this course will be:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
How do we know that we live in the “real” world?
Can computers think?
Is it possible for computers to experience the world the same way that humans do?
Is human consciousness explicable only in purely materialistic terms?
In what sense am I the same person that I was in the past?
Is free will possible in a seemingly physically determined world?
Is free will possible if the future is known?
Is time travel possible?
Can the paradoxes of time travel be avoided?
What are possible worlds?
Texts:
Available for purchase in the UWSP bookstore and also free on e-reserve in the library.
Science Fiction and Philosophy: From Time Travel to Superintelligence
Ed. Susan Schneider
Wiley-Blackwell
ISBN: 9781405149075
Course Goals:
By carefully examining the relationship of metaphysics and epistemology between philosophy and
science fiction, students will develop critical thinking skills by engaging, analyzing, and evaluating
texts in order to write well, speak articulately, and argue persuasively.
Expectations:
Students are encouraged to attend every class and remain for the entire time. Students must
complete the necessary readings prior to class and be prepared for discussion and participation.
Students will treat other students with respect. This means, turning off all cell phones and addressing
their peers in a respectful tone. Those who fail to meet these expectations will be dealt with
accordingly. It is important to note that the nature of this class will inevitably result in disagreements
among colleagues; however, it is essential to maintain respect toward one another despite
disagreement. Failure to meet any of these expectations could, and probably will negatively influence
your final grade.
Additionally, this course will utilize the Desire2Learn online system to facilitate certain aspects of the
class. It is required that you check in with D2L regularly to find class updates, submit assignments,
check your grades, etc.
Grading Criteria:
Late work will never be accepted unless an extension has been granted by Dr. Horn prior to the due
date. Extensions will only be granted in extreme circumstances. Additional prompts will be given
out in class for each essay.
Final grades will be based upon (1) four take home essays worth 25% each.
(1)
In each of the major parts of the class, students must submit a 2-3 page essay which offers
both an explication and analysis of the relevant topics. Due dates for the essays are provided
in the course schedule. In grading your essays, I will consider whether you have a sufficient
understanding of the relevant texts, have answered the questions clearly, concisely, and thoroughly,
and have argued your position persuasively.
(2)
Attendance is encouraged, but not required for this class. If you need to miss class, then
please keep up with the assigned readings and let Dr. Horn know if you have any questions
about the text.
A Range
(90—100%)
A (94—100)
A- (90—93)
B Range
(80—89%)
B+ (87—89)
B (84—86)
B- (80—83)
C Range
(70—79%)
C+ (77—79)
C (74—76)
C- (70—73)
D Range
(64—69%)
D+ (67—69)
D (64—66)
F Range
(0—63%)
F (<63)
Academic Integrity:
Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism or helping others to commit these acts will not be tolerated.
Academic dishonesty could result in severe disciplinary action including, but not limited to, failure of
the student assessment item or course, and/or dismissal from the University.
Course Schedule:*
SKEPTICISM
June 16
June 17
June 18
June 19
Film: The Matrix, Short Clips: Inception, Deadpool, Fez
Brain in a Vat
John Pollock
Are You In a Computer Simulation?
Nick Bostrom
Excerpt from The Republic
Plato
Excerpt from The Meditations
Descartes
The Matrix as Metaphysics
David Chalmers
FREE WILL AND PERSONAL IDENTITY
June 23
Essay 1 Due
Film: Minority Report, Short Clips: BioShock,
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Second Chances”, Mass Effect
June 24
Where am I?
Daniel Dennett
Personal Identity
Eric Olson
June 25
Divided Minds…
Derek Parfit
Who am I? What am I?
Ray Kurzweil
June 26
Free Will and Determinism…
Michael Huemer
Excerpt from “The Book of Life”
Alvin Goldman
17
20
24
28
33
55
67
91
99
103
113
CONSCIOUSNESS
June 30
Essay 2 Due
Film: Blade Runner, Short Clips: KARA, Star Trek: Data’s Trial, iRobot
July 1
Robot Dreams
Isaac Asimov
117
A Brain Speaks
Andy Clark
122
July 2
The Mind as the Software of the Brain
Ned Block
126
Cyborgs Unplugged
Andy Clark
170
July 3
Consciousness in Human and Robot Minds Daniel Dennett
186
Superintelligence and Singularity
Ray Kurzweil
201
SPACE, TIME, AND MODALITY
July 7
Essay 3 Due
Film: 12 Monkeys, Short Clips: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Mirror Mirror”, BioShock Infinite
July 8
A Sound of Thunder
Ray Bradbury
287
Time
Theodore Sider
297
The Paradoxes of Time Travel
David Lewis
310
July 9
The Library of Babel
Jorge Luis Borges
Handout
On the Ultimate Origination of Things
Leibniz
Handout
July 10
Theories of Actuality
Robert Adams
Handout
Two Concepts of Possible Worlds
Peter van Inwagen
Handout
July 14
Essay 4 Due
*The Instructor reserves the right to adjust the course schedule to best satisfy the needs of the
class.*