PHIL 1101: Problems of Philosophy

Instructor: Donald Baxter

The purposes of Philosophy 1101 H are:

  1. to introduce students to some of the great thinkers and great issues of western philosophy.
  2. to train students in critical thinking, complex reasoning, and clear, persuasive speaking and writing.
  3. to promote reason and civil discourse in debates with others.

The course emphasizes that the sort of discussion taught in philosophy classes is an essential way of inquiring into matters of value, and so is important for coming to wise decisions on the personal, political, moral, religious, social, etc. issues faced by everyone in their lives. Topics include God and Religion, Mind, Self, Freedom, Morality, and Ethical Problems. The textbook will be John Cottingham, ed. Western Philosophy: An Anthology, 2nd Edition. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in class discussion, which will takes issues beyond the elementary exposition of non-honors sections.

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