Western philosophy
Introduction: The major assignment for the course is a standard term-paper on one of the following topics. Note that the topics are broad. You will need to narrow them down:
Select one of the major thinkers or major works we have examined during the course and write an expository paper explaining relevant theories and concepts.
Using either Wollstonecraft’s Vindication of the Rights of Women or Nietzsche’s Twilight of the Idols as the basis of your discussion, provide a critique of the western philosophical tradition.
Structure: Your paper should begin with an introductory paragraph, which should include a statement of the topic and a clear statement of the thesis. The body should follow, and you should end the paper with a concluding paragraph concisely summarizing your paper.
Length: Your paper should be between 4 and 5 pages (1000-1250 words). If you are a bit short or a bit long, then don’t worry about it, so long as your paper is long or short within the limits of reason.
This is what we studied through the semester:
Introduction to the course and to Western Philosophy
Unit specific outcomes:
3) Identify major theories and personalities in the history of philosophy.
6) Distinguish between historical epochs in the history of philosophy.
Plato: The Euthyphro
Unit specific outcomes:
2) Examine Plato’s Euthyphro for the purposes of comprehension and analysis.
3) Identify and Socratic method and dialectics.
7) Explain the difference between Socratic and Presocratic philosophy.
Plato: The Apology
Unit specific outcomes:
1) Explain Socratic wisdom.
2) Examine Plato’s Apology for the purposes of comprehension and analysis.
4) Describe the effects of dialectics on Socrates’ contemporaries.
5) Evaluate Socrates’ arguments for his innocence.
Plato, The Apology
Plato: The Crito
Unit specific outcomes:
2) Read Plato’s Crito for the purposes of comprehension and analysis.
3) Identify and describe Socratic citizenship.
4) Evaluate the plausibility of Socratic citizenship nowadays.
5) Appraise Socratic citizenship.
Plato: The Phaedo
Unit specific outcomes:
1) Explain Plato’s arguments in favour of the existence of the forms.
2) Read Plato’s Phaedo for the purposes of comprehension and analysis.
5) Evaluate Plato’s arguments for the immortality of the soul.
Anselm & Aquinas: Proofs of God’s Existence
Unit specific outcomes:
3) Identify and describe Anselm, Aquinas, and Latin medieval philosophy.
5) Appraised a priori and a posteriori arguments for the existence of God.
6) Roughly distinguish the Latin medieval context of philosophy from other contexts.
Descartes: Meditations on First Philosophy (I & II)
Unit specific outcomes:
1) Communicate in writing for the purposes of explanation and argument.
2) Read Descartes’ Meditations for argument and explanation.
3) Identify and describe Cartesian skepticism.
5) Appraise Descartes’ argument for the self-evident existence of the mind.
6) Roughly distinguish the characteristics of modern philosophy.
Descartes: Meditations on First Philosophy (III-VI)
Unit specific outcomes:
2) Read the Meditations for the purposes of comprehension and analysis.
3) Identify and Describe Cartesian substance dualism.
4) Examine Cartesian dualism in its historical context.
6) Identified and described rationalism and empiricism.
Kant: What is Enlightenment?
Unit specific outcomes:
1) Communicated in writing for the purposes of explanation and argument.
2) Read What is Enlightenment? for the purposes of comprehension and analysis.
3) Identify and describe Kant and enlightenment ideology.
4) Explain Kant’s message to broader society of the time.
6) Identify the defining characteristics of enlightenment philosophy.
Wollstonecraft: Vindication of the Rights of Women
Unit specific outcomes:
2) Read Vindication of the Rights of Women for the purposes of comprehension and analysis.
4) Applied Wollstonecraft’s views in light of current history and politics.
