Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Department of Philosophy

Department of Philosophy / Courses / Archives / Summer 2014 (1144) / PHIL 300 evening Harbour Centre
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PHIL 300:  Introduction to Philosophy

Summer Semester 2014 | Evening | Harbour Centre

 

INSTRUCTOR: Kirstie Laird (klaird@sfu.ca)

REQUIRED TEXT

  • Laurence Bonjour and Ann Baker, Philosophical Problems:  An Annotated Anthology, 2nd edition.  Pearson Longman, 2007.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course aims to acquaint you with the basic features of philosophical thinking and philosophical methods in addressing very general questions about the nature of our world and our place in it.  You will explore some of the most famous philosophical problems through reading a range of classical and contemporary texts, and develop the skills to reflect on them in class discussions and in writing.   

Some of the questions the course will address are:

  • Is there a world wholly external to our thoughts, and if so how much can we know about it? 
  • How is the mind related to the body? Are thoughts and consciousness anything more than processes in the brain? 
  • What is it to be, or have, a self?
  • When we choose to do something, are we really exercising free will, or does it just seem that way?
  • What is the extent of knowledge that can be gained independently of experience?
  • 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?

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

  • Five in-class quizzes, worth 5 marks each  20% (from your 4 best tests)
  • Four short essay-style answers to discussion questions set in class (15% each)  60%
  • Class participation  20%

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.