First-Year Courses in Philosophy (Division 442)

Fall Term, 1999 (September 8 - December 22, 1999)

Philosophy is about as broad a subject as one can find in a university curriculum. It addresses a wide array of questions, some quite familiar (Does God exist? Why be moral? What is art?), others less so (What is a thing? Is space a substance?). Philosophy includes the examination of its own methods, and its own history. It also falls within philosophy to examine the methods and practices of virtually all academic disciplines. Because of this breadth, a person can study philosophy in ways involving the styles and techniques of thought of most other fields of inquiry. For example, the work of a philosopher concentrating in logic is much like that of the student of mathematics. A philosopher primarily interested in the philosophy of religion will often be doing much the same things as a theologian or a student of the history of religion. Political philosophy is regarded by some as including political activity itself. Many other such examples exist. In addition, Philosophy examines the practices of other activities, such as the fine arts, that are sometimes thought of as different from typical academic disciplines. However, for the most part the activities characteristic of philosophy are peculiar to the discipline. The only way to know what it’s really like is to give it a try.

A number of philosophy courses that do not carry prerequisites are available in the Fall to first-year students. These include general introductions designed to acquaint students with a representative sample of philosophical problems (232 and 297), as well as introductions that focuses on Asian philosophy (263) and substantive moral problems (355), and two First-year Seminars (196). These are topical courses, addressing the nature of the mind (196, 001) and bioethics (196, 003), respectively.

The general introductions deal, for example, with questions concerning the nature of reality, knowledge, the self and the mind, freedom, morality, society, and religion. In Philosophy 232, 263, and 355, a faculty member delivers a lecture two hours per week, and students divide into groups of 25 for discussion sections led by graduate students. Philosophy 297 is an introduction to philosophy open to Honors students (and to others by permission of the instructor), taught by faculty members to groups of 25 students.

There is additional information about the Department’s curriculum in “The Undergraduate Program in Philosophy.” This brochure contains information intended for students interested in taking philosophy courses, whether or not they are considering a Philosophy concentration. The Department also maintains a home page http://www.lsa.umich.edu/philosophy/. Students considering a concentration in Philosophy are encouraged to make an appointment with a Philosophy concentration advisor. To request a copy of the undergraduate brochure, or to schedule an appointment with a concentration advisor, contact the Department Office (2215 Angell Hall, 764-6285). The Office can also provide information about the Department’s Undergraduate Philosophy Club and undergraduate e-mail group.

Instructor(s): Macpherson

Credits: (3; 2 in the half-term).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This course is designed both to improve critical reasoning skills that could be of use in a wide range of disciplines and careers, and to provide an introduction to formal logic. The course examines some of the problems and fallacies which arise in informal reasoning, some of the elements of formal (symbolic) logic, and logical concepts used in the analysis and criticism of arguments. The course gives some attention to issues in branches of philosophy germane to logic, for example, the theory of knowledge, philosophy of language, and metaphysics. There will be lectures, demonstrations of problem-solving techniques, and a variety of exercises. The course is limited to 50 students, which should permit opportunity for discussion. Texts and methods of evaluation to be determined.

Credits: (3; 2 in the half-term).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This course examines some of the main problems of philosophy, such as:

• How do we know that anything exists, other than ourselves?
  
• Are minds immaterial spirits, or are minds brains and hence nothing but complex physical objects?
  
• If human actions are causally determined by heredity and environment, is there any free will or moral responsibility?
  
• Is abortion, or euthanasia, or suicide, morally permissible?
  
• Is the nature and extent of our moral obligations determined by our feelings, self-interest, social convention, Divine commands, or something else?
  
• What are the different kinds of social, political, and economic organization, and what reasons are there for preferring one to another?
  
• How should one live one's life?
  
• What is the meaning of life, and what does this question mean?
  
• Are there good reasons for believing that God exists?

Students will write papers discussing a number of these topics.

Section 002.

Instructor(s): Rebecca Walker

Credits: (3; 2 in the half-term).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This course is a topical introduction to problems and issues central to the discipline of philosophy. Both modern and historical texts will be incorporated. Some areas to be considered include: ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of religion, metaphysics, and epistemology. Specific topics will include: arguments for and against the existence of God, the basis of the authority of government, the freedom of the will, personal identity, and skepticism about the external world. Evaluations will be based on two short essays, class participation, and a final in class exam.

Section 001 – Philosophy of Mind.

Instructor(s): Laura Schroeter (bugge@umich.edu)

First-Year Seminar,

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

What is the mind? Is it an immaterial soul, a brain, or a complex computer program? Can you ever really know what someone else's experiences are like? What makes you the very same person from childhood through old age, despite the dramatic changes you undergo? These are some of the questions we'll be examining in this course. Together, we'll analyze some answers which historical and contemporary philosophers have proposed to these questions. The focus of the class, however, will be on helping students to develop their own answers and to hone their critical and argumentative skills. Students will be asked to write several short essays during the term, and to participate in classroom presentations and discussions.

Section 003 – Introduction to Bioethics.

Instructor(s): Rebecca Walker

First-Year Seminar,

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This seminar is an introduction to bioethics. Issues covered will include: distribution of scarce medical resources, end of life treatment, reproductive choices, informed consent, and research with human and animal subjects. Concepts of autonomy, personhood and utility are just a few of the relevant philosophical views that we will examine. Evaluations will be based on two short essays, class participation, and a final in class exam.

Credits: (3; 2 in the half-term).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This course aims to give students a thorough understanding of the fundamental forms of reasoning and rational argument, and to improve critical reasoning skills that could be of use in a wide range of disciplines and careers. The course examines some of the problems and fallacies which arise in informal reasoning and logical concepts used in the analysis and criticism of arguments. Some elements of formal (symbolic) logic might be introduced. Though students will be expected to master some technical detail, the course emphasizes informal logical techniques applicable to problem solving and argument in any area of inquiry. Both deductive and inductive patterns of argument will be examined. The small section size (25 students) is conducive to informality and considerable student participation. There will also be lectures, demonstrations of problem-solving techniques, and a variety of exercises. Normally, there are weekly assignments and short, periodic quizzes.

Section 003, 004.

Instructor(s): Gerhard Nuffer (gnuffer@umich.edu)

Credits: (3; 2 in the half-term).

Course Homepage: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~gnuffer/

This course aims to give students a thorough understanding of the fundamental forms of reasoning and rational argument, and to improve critical reasoning skills that could be of use in a wide range of disciplines and careers. The course examines some of the problems and fallacies which arise in informal reasoning and logical concepts used in the analysis and criticism of arguments. Some elements of formal (symbolic) logic might be introduced. Though students will be expected to master some technical detail, the course emphasizes informal logical techniques applicable to problem solving and argument in any area of inquiry. Both deductive and inductive patterns of argument will be examined. The small section size (25 students) is conducive to informality and considerable student participation. There will also be lectures, demonstrations of problem-solving techniques, and a variety of exercises. Normally, there are weekly assignments and short, periodic quizzes.

Section 006, 008.

Instructor(s): Mark Letteri

Credits: (3; 2 in the half-term).

Course Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Thebes/5740/

This course aims to give students a thorough understanding of the fundamental forms of reasoning and rational argument, and to improve critical reasoning skills that could be of use in a wide range of disciplines and careers. The course examines some of the problems and fallacies which arise in informal reasoning and logical concepts used in the analysis and criticism of arguments. Some elements of formal (symbolic) logic might be introduced. Though students will be expected to master some technical detail, the course emphasizes informal logical techniques applicable to problem solving and argument in any area of inquiry. Both deductive and inductive patterns of argument will be examined. The small section size (25 students) is conducive to informality and considerable student participation. There will also be lectures, demonstrations of problem-solving techniques, and a variety of exercises. Normally, there are weekly assignments and short, periodic quizzes.

Credits: (3; 2 in the half-term).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This course introduces students to philosophy through an examination of some central philosophical problems. Topics might include: Are minds immaterial spirits, or are minds brains and hence nothing but complex physical objects? If human actions are causally determined by heredity and environment, is there any moral responsibility? Is abortion, or euthanasia, or suicide, morally permissible? Is the nature and extent of our moral obligations determined by our feelings, self-interest, social convention, Divine commands, or something else? What are the reasons for preferring one kind of social, political, and economic organization to another? Are there good reasons for believing that God exists? How do we know that anything exists, other than ourselves? In addressing these questions, some sections focus on major historical figures, e.g., Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, and Kant; others focus on writings of twentieth century philosophers. Requirements usually include a number of short, critical papers.

Section 001.

Instructor(s): James Joyce (jjoyce@umich.edu)

Credits: (4; 2 in the half-term).

Course Homepage: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jjoyce/phil232.htm

This course provides undergraduates with a broad overview of modern philosophy. Topics to be covered will include at least some of the following.

• The problem of free will: Do we choose our actions freely, or is what we do determined by past events? Can a person be held morally responsible for actions that she did not freely perform?
  
• The problem of our knowledge of the external world: How can we gain knowledge of the world external to our minds given that we have access to nothing but our thoughts and experiences?
  
• The problem of morality: What features of actions make them morally right or morally wrong? Is there any reason for us to act morally?
  
• The problem of God: It is possible to establish God's existence by argument alone? Is the existence of God confirmed by what we know about the world?
  
• The problem of mind: How is the mind related to the body? Is the mind an immaterial entity or can it be identified with the brain?
  
• The problem of the state: On what is the state's authority based? Under what conditions can a government restrict individual freedoms for the purpose of securing collective benefits?

Students will be asked to read about 30 pages of material per week, to write three 7-8 page papers, and to take a midterm examination and a cumulative final exam.

Section 001.

Instructor(s): Philip Ivanhoe (ivanhoe@umich.edu)

Credits: (3; 2 in the half-term).

Course Homepage: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~ivanhoe/phil263.htm

This course focuses on the major philosophical schools of Classical China (through the unification of China in 221 B.C.). Special consideration is given to the ethical, religious and political thought of the Confucian, Mohist, and Daoist schools. The doctrines associated with these early Chinese philosophical movements, along with Buddhism which came to China around the first century A.D., affected cultural developments in art, philosophy, religion, science, and politics throughout Chinese history. The course concentrates on the theories of human nature that were associated with these early Chinese thinkers and the ways in which these theories served as the foundation for their ethical, religious, and political views. No knowledge of Chinese is required. Readings are in translation. All students are required to write two 5-8 page papers, and a third, longer paper revising one of the two short papers.

Section 001.

Instructor(s): Thomas Hofweber (hofweber@umich.edu)

Credits: (3; 2 in the half-term).

Course Homepage: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~hofweber/courses/introfall99.html

An introduction to philosophy, focusing on four major topics:

1. Can the existence of God be proven? Can there be an all-powerful and good God in a world with suffering?
   
2. Are we ever free? How, if at all, does freedom fit into a material world?
   
3. Can we know that there is anything other than ourselves? Might the world around you just be an illusion, or a dream?
   
4. Why, if at all, should you ever do something other than what is in your best self-interest? What is it to be a good person, and why should one care about being one?

Readings will be partly from major historical figures, and partly from contemporary authors. Evaluations will mostly be based on papers.

Section 003.

Instructor(s): Ian Proops (iproops@umich.edu)

Credits: (3; 2 in the half-term).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This course will provide an introduction to some of the problems and methods of contemporary philosophy through an examination of three central issues:

1. The existence of God: Are there plausible arguments for the existence of God? How can the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and loving Creator be reconciled with the existence of worldly evil?
   
2. Mind and body: How is the mind related to the body? What is the nature of consciousness?
   
3. Ethics: Are there any plausible principles governing how one ought to act? How could one go about constructing a theory which explained our ethical intuitions?

Section 001.

Instructor(s): Stephen Darwall (sdarwall@umich.edu)

Credits: (4; 2 in the half-term).

Course Homepage: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~sdarwall/Phil355.html

This course will explore competing theories of justice, the moral dimensions of the problems of racism and sexism, contrasting explanations of racial and gender inequality, the state enforcement of morality, and the moral status of animals and the environment. Rival conceptions of freedom, equality, and justice will be assessed through an examination of such issues as affirmative action, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, censorship of pornography, abortion, and animal rights. Several weeks will be devoted to a critical study of racism as a moral issue and as a social phenomenon. Emphasis will be placed on the relations between moral and political theories and social analysis. Class requirements will include participation in classroom discussion, three papers, and a final exam.