COURSE PREFIX AND NUMBER: PHI 102 (01 & 02) (Spring, 2005) 

COURSE TITLE: Philosophy of Human Nature

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Philip Blosser
           Contact info: Russell House, No. 7; P.O. Box 7211; Tel. ext. 7186.

          Webpage: http://www.lrc.edu/rel/blosser/Homepage.htm; OR to find this webpage easily from
          the LRC website, type “Blosser” into the website SEARCH window, click on “Search,” then find
          “Blosser’s homepage.”

Note: for access to course materials online, click on the blue bar designated “Student Course Materials” on my homepage and follow the links for your class (“Philosophy of Human Nature”) and course materials (daily assignments, study sheets, etc.).

STUDY SHEETS:  No. 1: click here.
                                No. 2: click here. 

• Brief Guide to Writing Philosophy Papers: click here

REACTION PAPER TOPICS: click here.

TEXTS:
    1. Plato, The Last Days of Socrates (Penguin, 1993)
    2. Peter Kreeft, The Best Things in Life (InterVarsity, 1984)
    3. L. Stevenson, Ten Theories of Human Nature (Oxford, 1998)
    4. Thomas V. Morris, Making Sense of It All (Eerdmans, 1992)

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Critical examination of alternative assumptions concerning the nature of truth, human existence, the good person, the good society. Introductory course.

SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES/COMPETENCIES:
This course in critical thinking is designed to acquaint the student with the art of critical thinking and philosophical analysis. The course will include (1) a very brief overview of the history of philosophy, (2) a basic survey of major themes of philosophical reflection--such as the theory of knowledge, theory of reality, and moral theory; (3) a sustained examination of the problem of faith and reason, and (4) an introduction to the art of philosophical reflection and analysis (i.e., critical thinking and logical argument).

The basic theme of our reflection and the subject of our analysis will be the role of philosophy in the way we understand ourselves. This includes such issues as: the nature of human "nature," "being," "knowing," "good & evil." Most of us find such notions so familiar and ordinary that we don't give them a second thought. But as Socrates said: "The unexamined life is not worth living." What is a human being, after all? Something more than an animal? If so, what? Can we know? What is the difference between our way of knowing material things (such as trees) and mental things (such as numbers)? What kind of "being" does a piece of music have? Are people by nature good? Why, or why not? What is the truly good life? Can we be happy without trying to be morally good?

The basic issues we will be examining can be conveniently grouped around four central questions: What can we know? What should we do? What may we hope? and What is man? We shall be examining how some great thinkers of the western tradition have answered these kinds of questions by reading and

discussing together a selection of readings. Furthermore, we shall be examining how these questions have been answered in three basic historical periods--ancient, medieval, modern, and postmodern.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Selected readings, four exams, including the final. 

Requirements: Formal requirements: passing the exams.  Material requirements that will help you meet this goal: reading your assignments, attending class, paying attention (getting enough sleep), asking for clarification when you have questions, taking careful notes, and participating in discussions as you are able.

Format: The format of the course will be predominantly lecture, but with some discussion.  Students are encouraged to ask questions and, at the appropriate times, to enter into discussion of the ideas at issue.

TOPICAL OUTLINE:
    1. Plato's Dialogues  (The Last Days of Socrates, "Apology," "Crito," "Phaedo"):
                Topics: Socrates’ trial, Plato’s anthropology, view of the body, soul, death, good and evil
    2. Liberal arts & the meaning of life: dialogues on money, sex, and power  (Readings from The Best
                Things in Life):
                Topics: means and ends; liberal arts; summum bonum; hedonism, sex, love, values.
    3. What is human nature? (Readings from Ten Theories of Human Nature, chs. 3-8):
                Topics: views of reality, anthropology, diagnoses and prescriptions for the human condition
                found in Plato, the Bible, Marx, Freud, Sartre, and Skinner
    4. Pascal's cartography of the human spirit (Readings from Making Sense of It All):
                Topics: Pascal’s life, views of indifference, diversion, meaning of life, skepticism, proof, the
                ‘hiddenness’ of God, wagering one’s life on God’s existence or nonexistence, the enigmatic
                nature (greatness and banality, good and evil) of the human condition, faith and evidence.

EVALUATION:

Final grade components: four exams, worth 25% each = 100% of final grade; class participation (see “attendance” below)

Grades will be based on tests (which will involve a mix of objective, short-answer, and essay questions) and quality of participation (see “attendance” below).

Exams: excepting extenuating cases, exams may be taken only on days scheduled.  If a test is missed, there is no penalty.  However, the material covered by the missed test will be included as part of a cumulative final examination (i.e., for the person who has missed a test, the final will be cumulative with respect to the material on the missed test). If you miss the first two tests, your mid-term grade will be an “F” even though you may earn a passing grade on the cumulative final exam.

Attendance – Regular attendance is expected.  No distinction will be made between excused and unexcused absences.  Attention is called to the General Catalog p. 83 (2003-2005): "Students are expected to attend classes and laboratories as specified by the instructor, who will state his or her attendance policy in writing at the beginning of the semester.  No allowed number of absences is automatically granted to a student.  Ordinarily, a student will not receive credit if 25% of the scheduled class meetings are missed."  For this course, no more than 3 absences can be allowed without affecting the final grade, and no more than 7 absences (excused or non-excused) to receive course credit.  
        Students who miss class almost never do well.  Thus, rewards are offered for regular attendance, as well as disincentives for poor attendance.  Accordingly, those with perfect attendance (no absences) will have 3 percentage points added to their final grade (2 points for no more than 2 absences, and 1 for no more than 3); conversely, those with more than three absences will lose 2 percentage points for each absence beginning with the fourth. 

Tardiness: students are expected to be in class on time.  Tardiness (arrival in class after roll is taken) counts as one-half absence, and consistent tardiness will influence the final grade, especially in borderline cases.

Academic integrity is expected and respected.  Cheating (copying, plagiarism, etc.) is morally reprehensible, will not be tolerated, and if discovered will result in automatic failure of the course.  The student is referred to the General Catalog, pp. 69-75 (2003-2005) for the items that define academic integrity for faculty and students.  The instructor will abide by the Catalog rubrics in all instances.  

Continued enrollment in the course is taken as contractually binding agreement between the student and the instructor (and institution) to the terms specified above.

GRADING SCALE:

List of Blosser's current courses