Philosophy of Human Nature Lecture Notes

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We'll use this page to post supplemental material to our class sessions. - Alfino

1/13/2009: Course Intro

1. Course Goals
2. Roll Call
3. Schedule, Grading Schemes, Wiki, Journals, Study Questions
4. Philosophy

Identifying the Philosophical

• Turn toward basic questions
• Meta-level cognition in general - theorizing
• In the Structure of Knowledge

Note to Class

Thanks for a good first class. Please go through your "to do" list from class and let me know if you have any difficulties.

Also, here's your first journal assignment: For Thursday: After reading the excerpt from the Apology, summarize in one or two paragraphs the main charges against Socrates and his defense. Select a detail or two that you find particularly interesting. Then make a brief (one paragraph) assessment of Socrates defense. End with one or two questions you still have after reading the passage. 1 - 1.5 pages, typed, double spaced.

1/15/2009

What is Philosophy?

Philosophy is a discipline of inquiry directed toward a wide range of basic questions about the nature of the universe and our experience in it. It involves a turn toward "basic questions". It also involves meta-level cognition.

Logos, Mythos, and Theos

locating philosophy in relation to Mythos and Theos

Other ways of identifying Philosophy

• in relation to science
• as speculative
• as dealing with matters of direct importance to living
• as dealing with matters of great uncertainty

Philosophical Methods

Go to Philosophical Methods

Introduction to Platonic Metaphysics

Divided Line

5/8/2009

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Old Material:

• Timeline for locating Kant and the Enlightenment

• Reference Map for Xerxes invasion

• Reference Map for Peloponnesian War