Human Nature and Personal IdentityPlease see the announcements for important information Dr. Peter Boltuc, Assistant Professor of Philosophy ObjectivesWe will focus our attention on the following questions: What, if anything, makes persons different from other things in the world? What makes a person identical with herself over time? and finally Do any moral considerations (questions of value) depend on our status as persons? The class is addressed to college Seniors and Juniors and beginning Graduate Students. It requires analytical and writing skills proper at this level. It does not require any prior familiarity with philosophy, but those who already have some experience with philosophy may find this class more rewarding. The instructor will moderate class discussions in order to achieve the goals of the class. The class consists of 14 lectures divided into three parts. Each part is to satisfy a different objective. Part A provides a historical introduction to the main issues in philosophy of mind. The main goal of this part is to introduce you to the main issues in the history of philosophy that are crucial for contemporary philosophy of person (discussed in Parts A and B). This goal will be accomplished by:
Therefore, the focus of Part A is on learning and understanding. Part B familiarizes you with some of the main issues in contemporary analytical philosophy of person, as well as with the analytical method of practicing philosophy. The main goal of this part is for students to understand the arguments in the readings. Students will work in tutorial groups with an objective to reconstruct the main thread of presented arguments. Part C is devoted to the connection between personal identity and the issues in ethics. The objective of this part of the class is to help you grasp the link between human nature and morality. This part of the class is particularly conducive to student discussions. The requirements in Part A may favor students who have experience studying history and literature; those in Part B favor students with strong analytical skills, and those in Part C may give advantage to students able to express their opinions well. Different assignments will help us evaluate these various skills. CLASS REQUIREMENTSParticipation is required in this class. Philosophy is a dialogue - you would not benefit from the class if I were to be the only person talking here. The forum of conversations in this class is the webboard. Everybody should address every topic required in that class. Yet remember that quality of participation is more important than quantity. Participation in real-time meetings is required and graded as a part of the participation grade. Exams. There are two exams: after Part A and Final Exam. The exams consist of short answer questions and multiple choice tests. Presentations. Every student presents the argument of one text from the readings, and his or her analytical commentary on this text to the class. This presentation serves as a basis for WebBoard discussion and replaces the instructor's introduction to the topic. Your good preparation of presentations will help every student understand the issue. Papers for presentation come from Hooke, Alexander "Virtuous Persons, Vicious Deeds" Mayfield 1999. Analytical Paper. Part B of the class ends with an analytical paper rather than an exam. Later in class I will give you more detailed directions how to write a good philosophy paper. GRADING
BOOKSREQUIREDMoore, Brooke N. and Bruder, Kenneth "Philosophy. The Power of Ideas" 4th.ed. Mayfield 1999 ISBN 0-7674-0633-8 Dennett, Daniel and Hofstadter, Douglas R. "The Mind's I" Bantham Books 1981 ISBN 0-55334584 Hooke, Alexander "Virtuous Persons, Vicious Deeds" Mayfield 1999 RECOMMENDEDDabrowski, Kazimierz "Multilevelness of Emotional and Instinctive Functions" KUL 1996 ISBN 83-86668-51-2 Hesse, Herman: Sidartha ND Paperbook 1951 More books will be recommended in classes for students with particular interest in given issues. TIME REQUIREMENTSYou will be expected to visit our site at least once every week during which classes are in session. You are to "participate" in class by posting a response to the "WebBoard Questions" specified in the text of the class. (The boxes that appear in some http lectures are just for your notes). I may place additional topics for discussion directly on the WebBoard. You may post your response anytime during the week. We will also have real-time meetings that are recommended but not required; be prepared to be on-line every Thursday 6-7 p.m. The real time exams are also Thursday evening and then presence IS REQUIRED (if this time is not good for you let me know as soon as possible so that we can arrange for a different time for your examination). TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTSThe class takes place in virtual space at: http://online.uis.edu/fall99/phi452/. In order to be able to participate in this class you must have access to the computer meeting the necessary specifications - (see HELP section on the class page for these specifications). If your equipment does not meet those standards and you reside in the state of Illinois it should be possible for you to make the arrangements with a nearby Community College participating in the Illinois Virtual Campus to use the computer on its campus. FINAL NOTEIn this class we may discuss many controversial and sensitive issues, such as religion, morality and personal experiences. Therefore everybody is expected to be considerate of other people. It is a different thing to disagree with one's argument, and very different to put somebody down. Inappropriate remarks will not be accepted. I am very much looking forward to teaching this class. I am sure it will be a good experience for all of us. |