Fall 2003        Philosophy 200L (sec. 2)

MW 2 – 3:15 pm

 

Problems in Philosophy: Technology, the Self, and Nature

 

 

 

Course Description: Perhaps no other phenomenon has a greater impact on our daily lives than the development of technology. Whether it takes forms such as computing, telecommunications, genetic engineering, nanotechnology, or fuel cells, technology captures our attention and imagination. Modern technology clearly offers many benefits, but some have argued that it also contain inherent risks – not only for our physical, psychological, and social well being, but also for the quality of our experience and understanding of the world. Should we fear technology, embrace it – or do neither? In this course, we will examine the nature of technology and the influence of its development on our conception of the human being, nature, and God. With the assistance of literature and film, we will ponder philosophical issues such as the meaning of life, the possibility of artificial intelligence, the mind/body problem, arguments about the existence of God, the difference between natural entities and human artifacts, and our attitude toward nature.

 

 

Texts: (Available at the SCSU Bookstore)

 

1. David A. Kline, Robert Hollinger, E. D. Klemke, Philosophy: Contemporary Perspectives on Perennial Issues, 4th ed. (New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s Press, 1994).

2. Fyodor Dostoevsky, Notes from the Underground, trans. Constance Garnett (Mineola, NY: Dover, 1992).

3. Edward Bellamy, Looking Backward (Mineola, NY: Dover, 1996).

4. Henry David Thoreau, Walden; Or, Life in the Woods (Mineola, NY: Dover, 1995).

5. Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, trans. Stephen Addiss and Stanley Lombardo (Indianapolis: Hackett, 1993).

6. Assorted photocopies distributed in class

 

 

Grading:         Attendance and                                                                

     Class Participation               10%                            

                        Short Papers (5)                       45%                            

                        Long Papers (2)                       45%                

 

                        A+       97-100                                                                                    

                        A         93-96                                                                                      

                        A-        90-92

                        B+       87-89

                        B          83-86

                        B-        80-82

                        C+       77-79

                        C         73-76

                        C-        70-72                                                                                                              

                        D+       67-69

                        D         63-66

                        D-        60-62

                        F          0-60

 

 

1. Writing Assignments: Most of your grade will be based on five short papers (minimum 2 pages) and two long papers (minimum 5 pages). As required in L-courses, papers will be downgraded for poor spelling, grammar, organization, etc. If you have difficulties in these areas, I recommend taking your paper to the Campus Writing Center in Wintergreen before turning it in. Late papers will be penalized one letter grade for every session of class they are late. Lateness will be excused on a maximum of one paper if the student has a valid reason (e.g., illness or family emergency) and turns the paper in by the next session of class. Contact me as soon as possible to make arrangements. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Also, please do not email papers without prior permission.

 

2. Class Participation: Most of our class time will be spent in discussion, and each student’s participation is encouraged and expected. Informed participation requires a careful reading of assigned texts ahead of class. Achieving an adequate grasp of the material and doing well on the written assignments is only possible through careful reading and active class participation.

 

3. Attendance: Prompt and consistent attendance is expected and is in your best interest because poor attendance and tardies will inevitably affect your other grades. Also, attendance is weighed heavily when determining final grades in borderline cases. Excessive absences will reduce your grade: If you have more than 2 absences, your final grade will be reduced one letter grade. You must have less than 5 absences to pass the class. Tardies and leaving early will be counted as half-absences. Valid excuses will be accepted, but they only excuse half of any given absence, tardy, etc. If you miss a class, I recommend that you make arrangements to copy the notes of another student.

 

 

I strongly encourage students with disabilities, including invisible disabilities like chronic diseases and learning disabilities, to discuss with me after class or during my office hours appropriate accommodations that might be helpful to them.