Philosophy 1102-007   Values in the Modern World

 

 

Rex Gilliland, Instructor                                                                        

Office: CL 120    Phone: 678-5500                                                                 

Clement Hall 105          MW 12:40-2:05pm

Office Hours: Mon 2:05-3:05, Wed 2:05-3:05, and by appointment

Home Phone: 726-4945

 

 

Course Description: The fact/value or ought/is distinction is quite prevalent in modern and contemporary philosophy and determines what we take to be either theoretical or practical issues. In this course, we will examine the relationship of ethics and theoretical philosophy by studying the most prevalent epistemological positions of the modern period, rationalism and empiricism, their relationship to the dominant ethical positions of the 19th and 20th centuries, Kant’s deontological ethics and utilitarianism, and finally, contrasting these with two Eastern classics, the Bhagavad Gita and the Tao Te Ching, which do not distinguish between ethics and theoretical knowing. In the process, students will become familiar with the types of questions that are raised in philosophy.

 

 

Texts: 1. Rene Descartes, Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy. Hackett, 1993.

            2. Immanuel Kant, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals. Hackett, 1993.

            3. John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism. Hackett, 1979.

            4. Bhagavad Gita. Long Beach Press, 1991.

            5. Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching. Hackett, 1993.

            6. Assorted materials on reserve in the library.

 

 

Grading:   Each category is worth 20% of the final grade:

 

1. Tests: There will be a midterm and a final, essay format, pertaining to the main themes of the course, and will include comparing and contrasting different philosophers.

           

            2. Quizzes: There will be six quizzes, one for each of the main philosophers discussed in the  course. The answers will be brief.

 

            3. Papers: Students will write two papers (2-3 pages long), one describing and explaining an argument, and another giving an overview of some aspect of a philosopher discussed in the course or comparing different philosophers. Students will choose one of their two papers and will write a second draft of it.

 

            4. Group reports, class participation, and possible homework: Students will work together in groups to prepare presentations for the class. Students will also be graded on their participation in class discussion. There may be homework assignments, also.

 

            5. Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. Please do not be late for class or leave early. Absences will only be excused when they are due to illness and one has a doctor’s note. Students are responsible for making up any work that they miss. If will be absent for a test or a quiz, please notify me as far in advance as possible.

 

 

Class Schedule

 

 

1/21                 Introduction to course, Review syllabus                        

 

1/26-2/4           Descartes                                            

 

2/9-2/18           Hume                                                  

 

2/23-3/4           Kant                                                                                                                            

 

3/9-3/11           Mill                                                     

 

3/16-3/20         Spring Break

 

3/23-3/25         Mill cont.

 

3/30-4/8           Bhagavad Gita

 

4/13-4/22         Tao Te Ching

 

4/27-4/29         Summary of course and Review

 

 

5/6 (Wednesday)          Final Exam 10am-12pm