1. Required Texts
Ian Ravenscroft, Philosophy of Mind: A Beginner’s Guide (Oxford 2005).
Robert Solomon, The Big Questions: A Short Introduction to Philosophy, 7th ed. (Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1998).
Texts on the web: Choose “Course Readings” from Philosophy Department Home Page, located at the following address: http://www.phil.tcu.edu/

2. Course Overview
The question of the meaning of life is one of the most important philosophical questions you’ll ever ask. Philosophy One is designed to introduce you to the fundamental philosophical problems and philosophical topics which pertain to the question of the meaning of life. The particular “big questions” we shall explore include: What is human nature? What is the self? Are humans free or causally determined like robots? What is the nature of morality and value? What is art? What is happiness? Where does the question of the meaning of life fit into all this?

WARNING: Philosophy involves considering evidence for hypotheses that may be contrary to some beliefs and exploring controversial subjects that some find upsetting and even offensive. If you have no real interest in considering things that might be contrary to your beliefs about what is good, what is right, what is real and what is true, for example, then you should consider dropping the course.

3. Course Requirements
3.1. Graded Material
1. Response Papers: 200 pts. (20 pts. each, best ten out of eleven)
2. Two Term Papers: 300 pts. (First paper: 100 pts. Second paper: 200 pts.)
3. Quizzes: 100 pts. (10 pts. each, best ten out of eleven)
4. Short Essay Tests: 400 pts. (100 pts. each)
Total points possible: 100

3.2. Response Papers
You will be required to write eleven short reading comprehension papers (“response papers”) roughly two paragraphs each. Topics will be announced in class. The papers must be double-spaced, typed (if not, the total points possible for the paper is ten points). Late response papers will receive half the points they would have otherwise, unless accompanied by an official excuse. We will not accept any late response paper one week beyond the due date.

3.3. Term Papers
You will be required to write two term papers. Topics will be announced in class. The papers are to be original work, involving explanation and philosophical criticism of a particular philosophical view. The papers must be double-spaced, typed, and no less than 3-4 pages in length (~800 words). You will not be required to use any outside sources; the papers should reflect your ability to summarize and discuss a particular position concisely and critically. (See Solomon, Appendix I: Writing Philosophy, for some tips on how to write philosophy papers.) Be sure to check grammar and spelling! Any paper not meeting these requirements will receive a grade no higher than the equivalent of a 'C'. Your papers are due on the assigned day. Late papers will not be accepted. In the case of an emergency, you will need to supply written documentation.

3.4. Quizzes
Short quizzes may be given at any time. Quizzes may cover assigned web readings, assigned text readings, or topics discussed in the previous class. No make-ups allowed, but missed quizzes will not count against those students with official excuses.

3.5. Tests
Four essay tests will be given as scheduled. Each one will contain seven questions, from which you will choose five. Make-ups are only given for those with official excuses and must be taken within one week following the originally scheduled test date.

3.6. Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities needing academic accommodations should contact and provide appropriate documentation to the Coordinator for Students with Disabilities (Center for Academic Services) as soon as possible. (See attached document for more information.)

3.7. Attendance Policy
You are required to come to class. Since you are tested only over material covered in class, and since some of what we shall be teaching you does not occur in the text, coming to class and taking good notes is a must!

3.8. Plagiarism and Cheating
We strictly uphold the TCU Academic Conduct Policy published in the TCU Undergraduate Studies Bulletin or on the web at http://www.reg.tcu.edu. Anyone caught cheating, plagiarizing, etc. will face receiving an ‘F’ for the course, or worse!

4. Schedule of Lectures and Readings
NOTE: Changes to this schedule may be necessary, and if so, will be announced ahead of time in class.
1/18: Syllabus and Course Overview
1/20: General Discussion: Philosophy and the Meaning of Life
Reading: Solomon, pp. 3-15, 31-46.
1/23: God and Ethics I
Reading: WEB: Plato, Euthyphro.
1/25: God and Ethics II
Reading: WEB: TBA. Response Paper Due.
1/27: Why Be Moral?
Reading: WEB: Plato, “The Ring of Gyges”
1/30: Knowledge and Reality
Reading: Plato, Theaetetus. Response Paper Due.
2/1: Ethical Relativism: Pro
Reading: WEB: Benedict, “A Defense of Ethical Relativism.”
2/3: Ethical Relativism: Con
Reading: WEB: Stace, “Ethical Relativism: A Critique.” Response Paper Due.
2/6: Test I
2/8: Ethics: Socratic Egoism: Virtue is Knowledge
Reading: WEB: Plato, Protagoras
2/10: Ethics: Virtue Ethics
Reading: WEB: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics. Solomon, pp. 267-8.
Response Paper Due.
2/13: Ethics: Virtue Ethics.
Reading: WEB: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics.
2/15: Ethics: Consequentialism
Reading: WEB: Bentham, Principles of M/L. Solomon, pp. 264-6. Response Paper Due.
2/17: Ethics: Consequentialism
Reading: WEB: Mill, Utilitarianism.
2/20: Ethics: Non-consequentialism
Reading: WEB: Kant, Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals. Solomon, pp. 261-4.
Response Paper Due.
2/22: Ethics: Non-consequentialism
Reading: WEB: Kant, Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals.
2/24: Ethics: Summary and Evaluation
2/27: Environmental Ethics
Reading: WEB: “Environmental Values”
3/1: Environmental Ethics
Reading: WEB: Environmental Values”
3/3: Test II
3/6: The Self: Dualism
Reading: Ravenscroft, Ch. 1. Response Paper Due.
3/8: The Self: Behaviorism
Reading: Ravenscroft, Ch. 2
3/10: The Self: Identity Theory
Reading: Ravenscorft, Ch. 3 TERM PAPER I DUE
3/13-17: Spring Break
3/20: The Self: Functionalism
Reading: Ravenscroft, Ch. 4
3/22: The Self: Elimativism
Reading: Ravenscroft, Ch. 5 Response Paper Due.
3/24: The Self: Mind as Machine
Reading: Ravenscroft, Chs. 6 & 7
3/27: The Self: Supervenience & Content
Reading: Ravenscroft, Chs. 8 & 9. Response Paper Due
3/29: The Self: Mental Causation
Reading: Ravenscroft, Ch. 10
3/31: The Self: Varieties of Consciousness
Reading: Ravenscroft, Ch. 11
4/3: The Self: Phenomenal Consciousness
Reading: Ravenscroft, Ch. 12
4/5: Test III
4/7: Critical Skills Evaluation
No Reading
4/10: Meaning of Life: Meaning Transcends the Material World
Reading: WEB: Plato and Augustine
4/12: Meaning of Life: And Now For Something Completely Different …
Reading: WEB: Nietzsche, The Gay Science, Beyond Good and Evil. Solomon 286-289. Response Paper Due.
4/14: NO CLASS
4/17: Meaning of Life: Existentialism
Reading: Nietzsche cont.
4/19: Meaning of Life: Existentialism
Reading: Camus, Myth of Sisyphus
4/21: Meaning of Life: Existentialism
Reading: WEB: Sartre, “The Humanism of Existentialism.” Response Paper Due.
4/24: Meaning of Life: Existentialism
Reading: WEB: Sartre cont.
4/26: Meaning of Life: Happiness
Reading: WEB: “On the Meaning of Life” and “On Happiness and the Meaning of Life”
4/28: General Discussion on the Meaning of Life
5/1: Day of Final Judgment and Ultimate Truth: Summary and Evaluations
5/3: Test IV
5/5: Dead Day
5/10: Final paper due in the Philosophy Dept. office (Reed 215) no later than 3:00 PM, Wednesday. (Graduating seniors must turn papers in by 10AM.)