PHI 2010 (Syllabus)

Phi 2010 Syllabus


Alfredo Triff Ph.D.
Room 3604-40 (Building #3)
Tel. 305.237.7554
E-mail: atriff@mdc.edu
Office Hours: Posted
Text: Doing Philosophy: An Introduction through Thought Experiments by Theodore Schick and LewisVaughn (3rd edition)

Goals

* To become familiar with contemporary trends in philosophy.

* To explore key subjects within philosophy, such as epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, ontology and aesthetics.

* To stimulate a philosophical spirit of open debate, conversation, as well as the ethics of dialogue.

* To further our critical thinking skills in order to deal with the challenges posed by the professional and academic world.


Evaluation

1. Grades A, B and C stand for outstanding, good and average respectively. D is below average. F means not enough work to justify credit for the course.

2. We have three multiple-choice tests: a quiz, (15%) a midterm (35%) and a final exam (35%). They count for 85% of the final grade. Class participation and effort are important. This breakdown only reflects a qualitative approximation since it may reflects the curving of grades.

3. Attendance is expected. Two non-excused absences are permitted. Each absence thereafter will lower the participation grade by half a letter. Missing exams must be justified by a doctor’s note or the equivalent. Please, feel free to contact me if you have a serious problem with or in the class.


Policies


1. Cheating? A serious academic transgression, which will be penalized according to college policy.

3. I expect a minimum of class demeanor. Courtesy and respect...

4. If I assigned a report, it should be WP/typed and stapled.

Some suggestions

1. I conduct my classes from the textbook and perhaps some additional readings that I'll post in our webpage. Philosophy is deep. It requires awareness, detachment, cool. For some people the problem will be settled with a quick “yes” or “no.” We don't do that: too quick, to easy, flabby. Be tough.

2. Do the homeworks. It will keep you up with the material. talk philosophy to your friends (it looks cool). Sure, there are winners, but we don’t focus on that. We seek truth and clarity. You're confused? Not bad. Confusion means struggle, which points to change. Try to read. Books are good friends. People don't read much nowadays and it shows in their conversations.

Schedule of Classes

Chapter 1 Philosophical Problems
1.1: Explaining The Possibility Of The Impossible: Philosophical Problems. Stakes In Philosophical Enquiry: An Account Of Problems, Such As Mind-Body, Free Will, Personal Identity, Moral Relativism, And The Concept Of Evil.
1.2: Evidence And Inference.
1.3: Thought Experiments

Chapter 7 Epistemology
7.1 Skepticism As A Key To Certainty: Descartes
7.2 Perception Of The External World.
7.3 How Much Do We Know? What Knowledge Is: Defeasibility Theory; Causal Theory; Reliability Theory; Explanationist Theory

Chapter 2 The Mind/Body Problem
2.1 The Ghost In The Machine: Mind As Soul: Descartes’ Doubt; Je Pense Donc Je Suis; Conceivability Argument; Divisibility Argument; Causal Impotence Of The Mental; Causal Closure Of The Physical; Other Minds
2.2 You Are What You Eat: Mind As Body: Empiricism; Positivism; Logical Behaviorism; Identity Theory
2.3 I, Robot: Mind As Sofware: AI; Functionalism And Feeling; The Turing Test; Intentionality
2.4 There Are No Ghosts: Mind And Myth: Psychology; Subjective Knowledge
2.5 Mind As Quality: Primitive Intentionality; Mental Dependence; Downward Causation

Quiz

Chapter 3 Free Will Or Determinism?
3.1 Freedom As Chance: Hard Determinism; Indeterminism
3.2 Freedom As Necessity: Traditional Compatibilism; Hierarchical Compatibilism;
3.3 Freedom As Self-Determination: Agent Causation

Chapter 4 Personal Identity And Selfhood
4.1 Self And Substance: Animalism; The Soul Theory
4.2 Golden Memories: Self As Psyche: Memory Theory; Inconsistency Objection; Circularity Objection; Reduplication Problem
4.3 Self As Process: The Brain Theory; Split Brains; Identity And Survival; Identity And Responsibility; Explaining Selfhood

Midterm exam

Chapter 5 Ethics and Political Philosophy
5.1 Might Makes Right: Subjective Absolutism And Relativism; Cultural Relativism; Divine Command Theory; Are There Universal Moral Principles?
5.2 Good Makes Right: Ethical Egoism; Act Utilitarianism: Problems With Rights, Duties And Justice; Rule Utilitarianism
5.3 Duty Makes Right: Kant’s Categorical Imperative: First And Second Formulations; Ross’ Prima Facie Duties;
5.4 Virtue Makes Right: The Virtuous Utilitarian, Kantian; Purpose Of Morality; Aristotle On Virtue, Mcintyre On Virtue; Virtue Ethics

Maybe Chapter 6

Addendum: Triff’s Notes on Political Philosophy

Final (Not cumulative)

I reserve the right to make changes in the order or chapters, provided I let you know in advance.

Welcome!

PHI 2010 Final Topics

Find the final topics for our PHI 2010 Final Exam here.

Add to it the following taken from section 5.4:

1. Aristotle's notion of virtue
2. Virtue Ethics

Also, use this link from the textbook and test yourself (I may take one or two questions from here). Remember to bring a scantron sheet for the test next Thursday.

Euthanasia

An interesting case on MSN today, possibly involving euthanasia.

PHI 2604 Chapter 7 Homework

1. Explain the idea of legitimate and illegitimate influence.
2. What’s “informed consent”?
3. Go over the reasons why business use polygraph tests.
4. There are generally three assumptions people have about polygraph tests. Which are they?
5. Why do companies use “personality tests”?
6. Go over four remarks about drug testing in pages 334,335.
7. What are the moral issues surrounding day care and maternity leave?
8. Go over the reading on page 364 Work, Privacy, and Autonomy and try to answer questions 1, 3 & 5.

Insider Trading

This is a very interesting piece of news. It concerns the stealing of trade secrets, which is illegal and unethical Apparently, an executive from Coca Cola offered Pepsi a sample of a secret new beverage, but Pepsi tipped the FBI...

PHI 2604 Home Work: Chapter 4

1- Historic background of Capitalism p. 151
2- Key Features of Capitalism (companies, profit motive, competition, private property) p. 153-155
3- Moral Justifications of Capitalism (Natural Right to Property, Adam Smith’s Concept of the Invisible Hand) p. 155-157
4- Critiques of Capitalism (Inequality, Human Nature and Capitalism, Capitalism breeding Oligopolies, Exploitation and Alienation) p. 159-163
5- Focus on the Short Term
6- Declining Interests in Production p. 166

PHI 2604 FOR YOUR INFORMATION

SCANTRON SHEET FOR QUIZ

you're supposed to bring a scantron sheet to the exam next Wednesday. They're for sale at the bookstore ($0.15). We use a small rectangular (green or bluish) card. Also, no pen. Bring a sharpened pencil.

PHI 2604 Link to Questions for the Quiz

This is the link for the book Moral Issues in Bussiness. To the left of the page, you have the chapters, then, check each of the tutorial exams. Play with it and have fun.

About last night

Last night we had an interesting discussion. I’m posting the Wikipedia’s definition of "homosexuality." Take a look at the "contents" box. Also take a look at "abortion" and the "ethical aspects of abortion." Again, to properly discuss these topics one needs first to find out the facts provided by the different scientific disciplines: biology, medicine, sociology, psychology, as well as history etc. Remember that moral judgments need facts and reliable moral norms.

PHI 2604

In the realative peace of the West we are not often exposed to stuff like this. The piece, written by an African journalist, shows that there are two fundamental principles that all humans can abide to: The first to treat all humans equally, the second, to avoid unnecessary human suffering.

PHI 2010 Website (Final review)

Use this site to review. It contains flashcards, quizzes and other useful material. Click on the chapter and respective section. http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072878274/student_view0/

PHI 2604 Chapter 8 Homework

1. Elucidate “conflict of interest” in the workplace.
2. Why does Bart Williams have a conflict when dealing with Leisure Sports World?
3. Come up with one example of a conflict of interest you’ve recently witnessed.
4. What constitute “insider trading”? Comment the famous Texas Sulphur stock case.
5. In the case of proprietary data, discuss the P&G case of suing three rival food chains for using a patented process to make “infringing cookies.”
6.a) What happens when novel information is patented or copyrighted? How about downloading music or videos one doesn’t pay for?
b) What’s a trade secret?
7. Define “bribe.” In the example provided in the text, why is Norman Rothberg’s conduct wrong?
8. Define “kickback.”
Comment the case of some American executives at Honda.
9. Go over the seven rules on “gifts” on pages 397 & 398.
10. Consider the situations on page 399. What are our obligations to third parties when such problems arise?
11. Define “whistle blowing.” Go over the five points that Norman Bowie sees as constituting justification.
12. Is self-interest more important than the interests of the public?

SCANTRON SHEET FOR QUIZ (ALL CLASSES)

Remember that you're supposed to bring a scantron sheet to the exam. They're for sale at the bookstore ($0.15). We use a small rectangular (green or bluish) card. Also, no pen. Bring a sharpened pencil.

PHI 2010 Topics for the Midterm

CH1
Necessary and sufficient conditions
1.2 Argument, premise, conclusion
Deductive arguments: validity, etc.
Inductive arguments: strong, cogent, etc.
Analogical Induction
Hypothetical InductionCriteria of Adequacy
Fallacies:Begging the Question; False Dilemma; Appeal to the Person; Appeal to Authority; Appeal to Ignorance; Appeal to Fear
1.3 Thought Experiment and counterexample

CH 7
Knowledge by acquaintance; performative knowledge; propositional knowledge; a priori, a posteriori;Theories of Truth: Correspondence, Pragmatic Theory, Coherence
7.3 Internal Theory of Knowledge: Knowledge by Justification C/E “Triff’s Dr. Appointment”Causal Theory of Knowledge. C/E “The Demented Mrs. Grabbit”Defeasibility Theory. C/E “Goldman’s Fake Barns”Reliability TheoryExplanationist Theory

CH 2
2.2 Logical Behaviorism; C/E “Perfect Pretender”QualiaIdentity Theory; C/E “Nagel’s Bat”
2.3Functionalism; C/E Putnam’s “Inverted Spectrum”
Turing test for computer intelligence
Intentionality
2.5 Property Dualism
Emergent Property
Downward Causation

CH 3
3.1 Hard determinism; C/E common sense, the idea of responsibility and accountability
Soft determinism
Traditional Compatibilism C/E Locke’s trapped conversationalist; Taylor’s ingenious physiologist; Taylor’s drug addiction
Harry Frankfurt’s Hierarchical compatibilism (first, second order desires and second order volitions) C/E Willing Bank Teller
3.3 Libertarianism
Agent causation and event causation

PHI 2604 Chapter 6: Homework

Chapter 6

1. Why do companies screen applicants? What's “job description” and “job specification”?
2. What’s the purpose of “tests” when applying for a job at a company?
3. Define: “Aptitude test,” “personality test,” “skill test.”
4. In measuring a test make a distinction between “validity” and “reliability.”
5. How should an interviewer conduct an interview?
6. In promotions one has to make a judgment between qualifications and seniority. What’s the best way to proceed?
7. Define “inbreeding” and “nepotism.”
8. Define “due process” and “just cause” within the context of discipline and discharge.
9. Distinguish between the following terms: Firing, termination, layoff and position elimination.
10. Go over the seven guidelines on wages established on pp. 289, 290.
11. Briefly summarize the history of the Union Movement.
12. What’s a “direct strike”? Go over Gonsalves’ 3-point criteria.
13. Analyze the difference between sympathetic strikes, boycotts and corporate campaigns.

PHI 2604 Homework: Chapter 4

1. Provide a quick background of the historic phases of capitalism.
2. What are the key features of capitalism? Explain each one.
3. Addressing moral justifications for capitalism, defend:
a) The Natural Right to Property
b) Adam Smith's Invisible Hand
4. Addressing criticisms of under capitalism, articulate:
a) Inequality
b) Human nature and capitalism (economic creatures vs. moral creatures)
c) Capitalism breeds oligopolies
d) Competition is not a good.
e) Marx's "exploitation" and "alienation."
5. What are some ot today's economic challenges for capitalism?
6. Read "Buddhist Economics" (page 181-185) and answer questions 1-6

PHI 2010 Homework

Section 2.1 Study questions, #1,6,7

Section 2.2 Study questions, #2, 4-11

PHI 2604 Link to Questions for the Quiz

This is the link for our textbook, Moral Issues in Bussiness that I talked to you about. To the left of the page, you have the chapters, then, check each of the tutorial exams. Play with it and have fun. I may use some of these questions.

This is the link for the Doing Philosophy Website. Click on Chapters (1 or 7) and then the section you are looking for. Each section has flash cards, true or flase, and multiple choice questions. Test yourself and good luck. Also remember that you must bring your own scantron sheet (rectangular green or bluish one) to the exam. You can purchase those at the bookstore.

PHI 2010 book situation

I know about the PHI 2010 book situation. This afternoon the bookstore assured me that they're ordering books and they hope to have them in two days. That means this weekend. Sorry about the delay... it happens sometimes.