INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHYINTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHYSYLLABUS FOR PH201

Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday 9:30-10:20 in Room 111

Φιλοσώφια: The Love of Wisdom

Course DescriptionDuring the next 15 weeks, we will be looking for answers to:

What is a “philosophical question”? How do philosophers do philosophy?

What is reality? What makes something real?

What are we? Mind? Body? Both?

How do we know anything? What are the differences between opinion, belief, knowledge and certainty?

What constitutes a “good life” or a “good person”? How do we know what we ought to do? How do we know when something is right or wrong?

What basis is there for letting one person or group of persons rule over another group of persons?

What makes a thing beautiful?

Are there rational reasons to believe there is a God? Why do bad things happen to good people?

Course objectives

Learning to be appropriately skeptical, asking “Why?” when explanations are offered, and knowing when rational reasons to believe them have been given.

Knowing the basic ideas of at least six major philosophical thinkers.

Writing effectively and critically about the ultimate questions.

Thinking carefully and clearly about thinking, and feeling strong concern when others who should know better don’t think carefully and clearly about thinking.

Examining our own world-views to see if they can “hold water.”

Recognizing how philosophers have made and will make a difference in the way millions of people live their everyday lives. Ideas have consequences: As you think, so you are.

Christopher Ullman, Instructor --- Office hours available by appointmentEmail: cullman@christianlifecollege.edu Phone: 847-259-1840 ext. 109

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHYINTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHYSYLLABUS FOR PH201

Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday 9:30-10:20 in Room 111 Realizing why the Christian philosopher Boethius called philosophy “the handmaiden of theology”

GradingA 90-100%B 80-89%C 70-79%D 60-69%F 0-59%

Assessment toolsPoints/ % of grade Tool240 / 40% Short assessments 60 / 10% Attendance100 / 17% Class Project: 100 / 17% Midterm exam: An exam on the

major topics covered in the first half of the course

100 / 16% Final exam: An exam on the major topics covered in the second half of the course

600 / 100% Total points for the course

Textbooks

φ Life’s Ultimate Questions by Ronald Nash1

φ The Philosophy of Jesus by Peter Kreeft

φ Online Philosophy Coursepack

1 To hear Ronald Nash teach, click on this link: http://www.biblicaltraining.org/speaker/ron-nash/ Christopher Ullman, Instructor --- Office hours available by appointmentEmail: cullman@christianlifecollege.edu Phone: 847-259-1840 ext. 109

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHYINTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHYSYLLABUS FOR PH201

Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday 9:30-10:20 in Room 111Methodsφ Class discussions: Students are encouraged to raise

pertinent questions as they come to mind, and to participate in dialogue with the purpose of deepening understanding in the area being discussed.

φ Activity groups: Small groups of students work together during class to complete some assignments.

φ Video/multi-media: Some topics are best introduced or illustrated using video and other resources.

Expectations φ See Student Contract

Christopher Ullman, Instructor --- Office hours available by appointmentEmail: cullman@christianlifecollege.edu Phone: 847-259-1840 ext. 109

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHYINTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHYSYLLABUS FOR PH201

Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday 9:30-10:20 in Room 111

READING PHILOSOPHY Everyone does Philosophy, all the time, but most people do not think very carefully about

it. The student of Philosophy does. This means that s/he will want to:

Find a quiet place to read and reflect on what has been read. Without reflection, you are not going to get much out of reading Philosophy.

Read out loud, when the passage is difficult. Hearing yourself read the carefully-crafted sentences of a good philosopher may very well be the way you will break out of the fog and into the daylight.

Make reading a priority: if you become distracted by thoughts of other things you need to do, write them down to deal with after you are through reading. Then, tell yourself that this is your time to read. Stay focused on reading.

Read through an entire section in one sitting, even if you don’t understand most of it. After your first reading, you’ll have a clearer idea of the structure of the argument or explanation. Then reread and

jot down main points and questions. Highlighting key passages is my personal favorite technique. Ask for help.

Don’t confuse a tired mind or body with reading difficulties. Reading is a physical activity that requires you to sit upright and motionless for an extended period of time. Take care of your physical needs for exercise, rest, nutrition and water, and your body won’t rebel when you tell it to sit still.

Carve out hour-long blocks of time to do your reading. Turn off the phone, tv, radio and stereo, and let your mind and soul sip the cool nectar of Philosophy, and feast on the brain-food set before you.

Your first reading assignment, to be done prior to the next class meeting, is:

Christopher Ullman, Instructor --- Office hours available by appointmentEmail: cullman@christianlifecollege.edu Phone: 847-259-1840 ext. 109