Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2017 - PHIL 100W D100

Knowledge and Reality (3)

Class Number: 3459

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Mon, Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 12, 2017
    Tue, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to some of the central problems of philosophy. Topics to be discussed include the different theories of reality; the nature and sources of knowledge, truth, evidence, and reason; the justification of belief and knowledge about the universe. These topics and problems will be considered as they arise in the context of issues such as: relativism versus absolutism; the existence of God; personal identity; the nature of the mind and its relation to the body; free will and determinism; the possibility of moral knowledge. Open to all students. Students with credit for PHIL 100 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

We know how the world seems to us, but if we can’t get outside of our own heads, how do we know what things are really like? After all, even among humans there is great variety in how things are experienced, and when we look at other species we see even more diversity. This question presents itself under many different guises: for example, we experience ourselves as having free will—as being able to do otherwise than we choose to do—yet given that we did not choose to otherwise, how do we know that we really could have? Another example is in how we think about the external world. It seems to us that things would continue to exist even if we were not around to perceive or notice them, but how can we know that? In this class we will explore what reality is like and how we know about it, by looking at these questions and others.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

PHIL 100W may be applied towards the Certificate in Liberal Arts, the Writing Requirement and the Breadth-Humanities Requirement.

This course is part of the FASS Forward pilot initiative that seeks to offer first-term students in 100-level courses in FASS with free, one-on-one tutoring. Up to 500 students from 12 pre-selected courses will receive 3 hours (6 half-hour sessions) of tutoring in addition to the support normally offered in each course. The students will be randomly chosen and participation is voluntary. 

Grading

  • FASS Forward Initiative participation 5%
  • Six reading summaries (250-300 words each) at 5% each 30%
  • Short paper (900-1200 words) 20%
  • Midterm 15%
  • Cumulative Final 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be distributed by the instructor.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS