Baur, What Are We, Philosophy of Human Nature

Manresa Philosophy Course (PHRM 1002-1) Dr. Michael Baur, Ph.D., J.D.

“What Are We?”: Philosophy of Human Nature Office Location: Collins 128

Fall Semester 2010 Office Phone: 718-817-3295

Mondays and Thursdays, 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm Email: mbaur@fordham.edu

Office Hours: TBD Class location: Tierney 235B

Course Overview:

For centuries, human beings – including but not limited to philosophers and scientists – have posed the all-important question: “what are we?” Like the many thinkers who have gone before us, we will also raise questions regarding what we are, or – to express the matter in academic parlance – we will raise questions pertaining to the “philosophy of human nature.” In order to address these questions, we will first need to investigate some preliminary questions: questions regarding the nature of philosophy, the nature of nature, the nature of life, the nature of thought, and the nature of freedom. Accordingly, this course will be sub-divided into five main sections, with each section corresponding to one of five important questions: What is Philosophy? What is Nature? What is Life? What is Knowledge? What is Freedom? This course is a Manresa seminar, offered in connection with the Integrated Learning Community at Tierney Hall. Accordingly, the required readings, class discussions, and written assignments will be supplemented by additional activities.

Required Texts:

Aristotle, Introductory Readings, translated by Terence Irwin and Gail Fine (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1996)

Augustine, On Free Choice of the Will, trans. Thomas Williams (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1993)

Rene Descartes, Philosophical Essays and Correspondence, edited by Roger Ariew (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 2000)

Plato, Five Dialogues, translated by G.M.A. Grube (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 2002)

Plato, “The Allegory of the Cave,” from The Republic, Book VII (PDF file online)

Other readings may be assigned during the course of the semester

Course Requirements and Grading:

1) Reading of texts and in-class discussions of texts (10% of the final grade)

2) In-class writing assignments and discussions of assignments (10% of final grade)

3) Four draft assignments (approximately 750 words long, or three pages, using 12 point font); each draft assignment will count towards 5% of the final grade (20% total)

4) Four essay assignments (approximately 750 words long, or three pages, using 12 point font); each essay assignment will count towards 5% of the final grade (20% total)

5) One mid-term exam (this will count towards 20% of the final grade)

6) One final exam (this will count towards 20% of the final grade)

On page 2 of this syllabus, you will find the schedule of class meetings and assigned readings.

Please be sure to do the assigned reading before each class.

Assignment due dates are indicated in bold.

Freshman Advising meetings are indicated in italics.

Sept. 2 (Thurs.) First Day of Class; introduction to the course

Sept. 6 (Mon.) Labor Day; University closed

Section I: What is Philosophy?

Sept. 8 (Wed.) All classes follow a Monday schedule today

Plato, Apology from Five Dialogues, pp. 21-44 (Topic #1 distributed)

Sept. 9 (Thurs.) Plato, Meno, from Five Dialogues, pp. 58-78

Sept. 13 (Mon.) Plato, “The Allegory of the Cave,” from The Republic (PDF online)

Sept. 16 (Thurs.) Aristotle, Metaphysics I, from Intro. Readings, pp. 115-128 (Draft #1 due)

Freshman Advising Group Meeting, 1 pm, Keating 121

Sept. 20 (Mon.) Descartes, “Preface” Principles of Philosophy, pp. 222-231

Freshman Advising Cohort Meeting, 1 pm, Keating First

Section II: What is Nature?

Sept. 23 (Thurs.) Aristotle, Physics II, 1-2, from Introductory Readings, pp. 42-47

Sept. 27 (Mon.) Aristotle, Physics II, 3-5, from Introductory Readings, pp. 48-54 (Essay #1 due)

Freshman Advising Cohort Meeting, 1 pm, Keating First (Topic #2 distributed)

Sept. 30 (Thurs.) Aristotle, Physics II, 6-9, from Introductory Readings, pp. 54-62

Oct. 4 (Mon.) Descartes, Meditations I and II, pp. 104-113 (Draft #2 due)

Oct. 5 (Tues.) The Apology of Socrates (A Dramatic Presentation, by Yannis Simonides)

Leonard Theater, Fordham Prep, 7 pm (open to all; required for this course)

Oct. 8 (Fri.) Deadline for completion of the Academic Integrity Tutorial

Oct. 7 (Thurs.) Descartes, Meditation III, pp. 113-122

Oct. 11 (Mon.) Columbus Day; University closed

Oct. 14 (Thurs.) Mid-Term Exam (Essay #2 due)

Section III: What Is Life?

Oct. 18 (Mon.) Descartes, Discourse, Part Five, pp. 64-73 (Topic #3 distributed)

Oct. 21 (Thurs.) Descartes, Principles of Philosophy, Part IV, pp. 263-272

Oct. 25 (Mon.) Aristotle, De Anima II, from Intro. Readings, pp. 80-90

Oct. 28 (Thurs.) Aristotle, De Anima II, from Intro. Readings, pp. 90-95 (Draft #3 due)

Freshman Advising Group Meeting, 1 pm, Keating 121

Section IV: What is Knowledge?

Nov. 1 (Mon.) Descartes, Meditation IV, pp. 122-127

Nov. 4 (Thurs.) Descartes, Meditation VI, pp. 132-141

Freshman Advising Group Meeting, 1 pm, Keating 121

Nov. 8 (Mon.) Aristotle, De Anima III, from Intro. Readings, pp. 96-100 (Essay #3 due)

Nov. 11 (Thurs.) Aristotle, De Anima III, from Intro. Readings, pp. 100-103 (Topic #4 distributed)

Section V: What is Freedom?

Nov. 15 (Mon.) Augustine, On Free Choice of the Will, pp. 1-28

Nov. 18 (Thurs.) Augustine, On Free Choice of the Will, pp.29-48 (Draft #4 due)

Nov. 22 (Mon.) Augustine, On Free Choice of the Will, pp. 49-69

Nov. 25 (Thurs.) Thanksgiving Day; University closed

Nov. 29 (Mon.) Augustine, On Free Choice of the Will, pp. 70-87

Dec. 2 (Thurs.) Augustine, On Free Choice of the Will, pp. 87-104 (Essay #4 due)

Dec. 6 (Mon.) Augustine, On Free Choice of the Will, pp. 105-123

Dec. 8 (Thurs.) Last day of Class; review for the Final Exam

Dec. 15-22 Final Exam Period