PHIL 302 Topics in Epistemology and Metaphysics: Free Will
Fall Semester 2013 | Day | Burnaby
INSTRUCTOR: D. Anderson, WMC 5605 (david.anderson at sfu.ca)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Central to our unreflective conception of ourselves is the notion that in some ‘deep’ sense we are free. We are masters of our own destinies, autonomous agents capable of choosing between various alternatives, and ultimately responsible for our own actions and behaviour. The question that will occupy us in this course is whether this notion is accurate. We will consider objections from both Fatalism and Determinism. While our focus will be on the contemporary debate about free will, we will also spend time considering historical sources.
REQUIRED TEXTS
- Pereboom, D. (Ed.) Free Will, 2nd ed. Hackett, ISBN: 978-1603841290
- Fischer, J.M. et al. Four Views on Free Will. Blackwell, ISBN: 978-1405234866
- Additional readings to be made available via Canvas
RECOMMENDED TEXT
- Vaughn, L. and J.S. McIntosh, 2009. Writing Philosophy: A Guide for Canadian Students, Oxford University Press, ISBN: 978-0195446746
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- Class participation - 15%
- Weekly reading responses - 15%
- Two in-class midterms - 12.5% each
- Final paper - 45%
NOTE: All papers must be submitted to Turnitin.com. Failure to do so will result in a failure to complete the course requirements, and may result in failing the course.
Prerequisites: PHIL 201 or 203