Introduction to Philosophy (Spring 2008)

Classic philosophy-themed Monty Python skits:

Argument Clinic

The Department of Philosophy at the University of Wooloomooloo

The Philosophers Song

Germany vs. Greece in The Philosophers’ World Cup

"Never call yourself a philosopher, nor talk a great deal among the unlearned about theorems, but act conformably to them. Thus, at an entertainment, don’t talk how persons ought to eat, but eat as you ought. For remember that in this manner Socrates also universally avoided all ostentation. And when persons came to him and desired to be recommended by him to philosophers, he took and recommended them, so well did he bear being overlooked. So that if ever any talk should happen among the unlearned concerning philosophic theorems, be you, for the most part, silent. For there is great danger in immediately throwing out what you have not digested. And, if anyone tells you that you know nothing, and you are not nettled at it, then you may be sure that you have begun your business. For sheep don’t throw up the grass to show the shepherds how much they have eaten; but, inwardly digesting their food, they outwardly produce wool and milk. Thus, therefore, do you likewise not show theorems to the unlearned, but the actions produced by them after they have been digested. "

Epictetus, The Enchiridion, #46. Epictetus (approx. AD 55-135), a slave in the Roman Empire, is one of the most famous Stoics of all time. You can read more about him at the IEP.

During the history section of this course I’ll occasionally put up a ‘thought for the day’, a philosophical passage from the general era we are studying. While you don’t have to do anything with them, if you do come across one that starts you thinking, don’t be afraid to put your thoughts about it down on paper (making sure it’s clear which passage it is to which you are responding) and put it in your portfolio. You might choose to do this in journal form for each ‘thought for the day’ that is posted, or simply choose one or two that strike your fancy. This is wholly optional; it’s just one of many possible ways you might add to your portfolio to show that you are interacting with philosophical topics.

"Most people imagine that philosophy consists in delivering discourses from the heights of a chair, and in giving classes based on texts. But what these people utterly miss is the uninterrupted philosophy which we see being practiced every day….Socrates did not set up grandstands for his audience and did not sit upon a professorial chair; he had no fixed timetable for talking or walking with his friends. Rather, he did philosophy sometimes by joking with them, or by drinking with them, or going to war or going to market with them, and finally by going to prison and drinking poison. He was the first to show that at all times and in every place, in everything that happens to us, daily life gives us the opportunity to do philosophy."

Plutarch, in his essay, "Whether a Man Should Engage in Politics When He is Old". Plutarch (who lived approx. AD 46-127) was a ‘Middle Platonist’ (i.e., his Platonism was the Platonism of the Old Academy) and Greek historian, famous for his biographies and essays.

The Ethics resource Center is hosting an event, entitled, "Globalization’s Losers: The Nation-State" on Friday, February 22, 2008, on the Eastview Campus (Building 8, Multipurpose Room, 7-9 pm). ACC’s Julie Kuhlken will look at the relation between globalization and the nation-state.

We’ve just started getting into noncategorical syllogisms. Don’t worry if you’re confused. The reason it’s confusing is that I have to at least show you the way things are usually done, so that you’ll recognize them – and the way things are usually done is highly artificial.  Next week,however, I’ll show you an easy way to do most of what you’ll need to do with noncategorical syllogisms.

In the meantime, if you want to clarify a few things on your own, here are some useful online resources.

* The IEP article on Propositional Logic

* A useful set of introductory pages.