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PHIL 300 Introduction to Philosophy

Spring Semester 2012  |  Evening | Vancouver Campus

 

INSTRUCTOR  Dr. Kirstie Laird

 

 REQUIRED TEXT

  • Philosophical Problems: An Annotated Anthology, second edition, Laurence Bonjour and Ann Baker, 2007, Pearson Education

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course aims to acquaint you with some central philosophical problems through reading a range of classical and contemporary texts, and developing the skills to analyze them in class discussions and in writing.  We shall begin with a brief enquiry into the general nature of philosophy and philosophical thinking, and then address the following questions:

  • Can we know that there is a world external to our thoughts, and if so how much can we know about it? 
  • How is the mind related to the body? Could thought and consciousness be described entirely in physical terms? 
  • What is a person? Do persons have free will? 
  • Is it possible to provide a proof for the existence of God? Can the notion of a benign God be reconciled with the actuality of evil?
  • What makes an action morally right or morally wrong?

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

  • One mid-term test – 30%
  • One essay  – 30%
  • One final exam – 40%

 

  • Class Location: HC 1800
  • Class Time:  Thursday 6:30 – 9:20
  • Office Hours:  Thursday 5:30 – 6:30  Rm: tba
  • E-mail:  klaird@sfu.ca

 

NOTE: Prerequisites: at least 60 units. Normally, students with credit for PHIL 100 may not take this course for further credit. This course does not count towards the upper division requirements for a student pursuing a minor, major, or honors program in philosophy. Breadth-Humanities. May be applied to the Certificate in Liberal Arts.