INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY MODULE OVERVIEWS
Click on the module title for an overview of that module and what is expected of you.
MODULE 0 Orientation and Training
MODULE 1 Introduction to the Course
MODULE 3 Proof for the Existence of a Deity
MODULE 6 Epistemology: Knowledge
MODULE 8 Mind Body: Nature and Origin of Consciousness
MODULE 9 Free Will or Determinism
MODULE 10 Ethics: The Moral GOOD
MODULE 11 Social Philosophy: Distributive Justice
MODULE 12 Political Philosophy: What works better?
MODULE : CULMINATING ACTIVITY: BONUS EXERCISE
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MODULE 0 Orientation and Training means to
COMPLETE ALL the TEN STEPS TO START OFF
TEN STEPS for PHIL101 FALL 2022
Module Overview:
This is a module in which you are to read over all the COURSE INFORMATION documents and gain an understanding of how the course is structured and what is expected of you.
Module Learning Objectives:
A. An understanding of the COURSE OUTLINE INFORMATION Materials
B. Knowledge of the Course Requirements
C. Practice with the course program for discussions
D. Practice with the course program with submitting an assignment.
Readings: COURSE OUTLINE INFORMATION Documents
Chapter 1 of the Online textbook
Assignments: PRACTICE ONLY TEN STEPS BELOW !!!
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ASSIGNMENTS: ORIENTATION
WEEK For this first week you are expected to do the following TEN things! Yes TEN (10): 1. Read all the documents in the COURSE OUTLINE INFORMATION Section of the Course. 2. Print out the Calendar - under COURSE OUTLINE INFORMATION ! Look for the Schedule!. MANDATORY Email PRACTICE re Academic Integrity Statement and Policy ****NO GRADES WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS WHO DO NOT AGREE TO ABIDE BY THE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY of the COLLEGE. ***********
Prepare a word processed document with a paraphrase of what you read about
Academic Integrity Statement and Policy
at your college and send it through
Email to your instructor. You must use the CUNY email address
supplied by this college!!!!!! 2. the statement: I, ____________,have read and understand the Academic Integrity Policy for this course and agree to abide by it. Save your word processed file (document) as a WORD or a DOC or TXT file. Then send the EMAIL to ppecorino@qcc.cuny.edu Do not send attachments!!! Copy and paste your text from the word processor directly into the message window of the email. INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMAIL As a CUNY student You must use the CUNY email address supplied by this college!!!!!! Each and every registered student has an email account. If you do not have an address acceptable to this instructor you will have 10 days to get and use the college supplied email address and notify the instructor from the new address. EMAIL PROTOCOLS When sending email ALWAYS In the subject line put: first name , last name, class number PHI 101, section, ASSIGNMENT# or QUESTION or HELPAfter an assignment has been received, it will be graded and the feedback shared with you either by E-mail or by the use of an on-line grade book WebPages found by clicking on GRADES. Have a great semester and your efforts will be rewarded with a well earned good grade. |
MODULE 1 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
Module Overview: Assignments include:
Reading the material
Attending Class
Sending a paper to the instructor-that means completing a written assignment and sending to the instructor in a manner that only the instructor shall see it.
Module Learning Objectives:
1. To become acquainted with the program
2. To learn about the process for interacting with the instructor and your fellow students
3. To learn a bit about what Philosophy is like and what to expect in the course
4. To learn about some of the major issues and why they are issues .
Readings:
You can begin reading in the Online Textbook READ Chapter One (1)
Basics on Arguments and Logic and Fallacies
Due Date: This module closes fairly quickly
see >.CALENDAR
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Learn how to identify some of the most frequent errors in reasoning that are used by some humans and used against some by thsoe who know better.
MODULE 3 Arguments for the Existence of a deity, a god.
Module Overview:
Module Learning Objectives:
Readings: Online textbook : Chapter 3 Online textbook
Assignments: CALENDAR The third written assignment requires you to begin doing a little philosophy. You will be challenged to understand the materials. Check out what is required and keep it in mind as you go through the readings .
Due Date: This module closes after one week. Do NOT FALL BEHIND
MODULE 4 The Problem of EVIL in Philosophy
Module Learning Objectives:
Readings: Online textbook : Chapter 3 Online textbook
Assignments: CALENDAR This written assignment requires you to begin doing a little philosophy. You will be challenged to understand the materials. Check out what is required and keep it in mind as you go through the readings
NOTE: Be sure you read the chapter and in particular the Overview to understand the meaning of "reality" as in this chapter and assignment. http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/INTRO_TEXT/Chapter%204%20Metaphysics/OVERVIEW.htm
MODULE 6 Knowledge-- Epistemology
Students will learn that there are Four (4) types of claims of knowledge indicating the four types of knowledge: SEMANTIC, SYSTEMIC, LOGICAL and EMPIRICAL. If knowledge is a justified true belief and if justification means having a warrant or a relevant basis for the making the claim to have knowledge then how are claims of having knowledge warranted? Four types of claims to know would involve four types of warrants. How are these different types of claims warranted or supported that determines whether or not the claim to know something should be accepted? What supports each type of claim?
We understand and accept that what one person believes may not agree with another person’s belief and so what may be believed to be true to one person may not be believed to be true to the second person. Does this mean that they are both correct? Do you think that each group and each person is entitled to their own truth? Does this apply to all types of claims: semantic, systemic, logical or empirical? Explain what this might mean. Explain and defend your position on this question with reasons. If you think that there can be more than one truth about the same claim at the same time then be sure to explain how there can be more than one truth about the shape of the planet earth and who is the current president of this college and the sum of 2 and 7 and the number of angles in a triangle AT THE SAME TIME. Be sure you READ this material on TRUTH:
What is to be done when there is a conflict between two different "truths" concerning claims that are semantic, systemic, logical or empirical? Does the outcome of the conflict determine what the truth is?
For the EMPIRICAL claims only there are the four different theories concerning the determination of the truth of empirical claims:
Of the four which is the theory you hold as the one that best supports the truth of claims about empirical matters?
MODULE 8 THE MIND BODY PROBLEM
Students will learn what the Mind Body Problem is or was, why was it a problem and what has it become now in this time that we know so much more about human brains.
With this assignment students are required to attempt doing dialectical thinking by selecting one of the positions on the Mind Body Problem or Origins of Consciousness. State which position you have chosen. Select the one that you can reason as the strongest or the one that has the least problems or makes the most sense and has reason and evidence to support it. Please keep in mind that the Mind Body Problem for many has been transformed into the problem of explaining the origins of consciousness and intentionality (choice and decision making). Both the dualists and the materialist need to account for these phenomena.
MODULE 9 Free Will: FREEDOM and DETERMINISM PROBLEM
Students will learn of the problem and address the question. Do Humans have free will, if so, how free is it? Are all human actions determined, if so how so? to what degree? Which of these three theories do you think is most accurate in describing the human condition and why do you think so? Students will take a position on this question or issue: only ONE of these options:
MODULE 10 ETHICS The Moral GOOD
Students will learn of several theories/principles concerning the MORAL GOOD and be required to select the theory/principle that is most acceptable to the learner: the most acceptable Ethical Principle for the moral GOOD to serve as the basis for a moral order in a society in which each student would want to live. The selection would be based on values held by each learner individually.
Students will also learn that NORMATIVE ETHICAL RELATIVISM is not a theory but an anti theory claiming there can be no absolute or general or universal basis for ethics. It cannot serve as the basis for a moral order.
MODULE 11 Social Philosophy : Distributive justice
In the world and in the USA there is a great disparity in wealth and income among the people. Many see this as a problem as it is not sustainable and so it should be altered. Such a process would involve ideas about distributive justice. There are several ideas about what constitutes distributive justice, among them are:
Each student will be required to take a position (adopt a principle) on the matter of Distributive Justice.
topMODULE 12 Political Philosophy
Each student will take a position on the form of government that would address disparities in wealth and income and that would operate based on the principle of Distributive Justice.
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Written Assignment for CULMINATING ACTIVITY: BONUS EXERCISE
This is a BONUS ASSIGNMENT and it is OPTIONAL. If you choose to do it please se sure to do each part of the FIVE (5) Parts for 5 points