Week 1 : Introduction (Jan 2)
Wed., Jan. 3
We'll introduce the class and talk a bit about our initial thoughts on what philosophy is. During class, we'll put some thoughts on this page on this Canvas site about your current views of what philosophy is.
First assignment
Before reading or watching any of the following, do this short assignment (What is philosophy part 1) in which you record your initial thoughts on what philosophy is (graded just as adequate, inadequate, or not completed at all).
Optional readings/videos/podcasts on "what is philosophy?"
Below are some optional things you might read/listen to/watch to hear what some people think philosophy is (choose as many as you'd like).
Podcasts
- "What is Philosophy?" Links to an external site. Interviews with numerous philosophers answering this question, from the Philosophy Bites podcast. See the link in blue towards the top of the page (it's a busy page, so easy to miss the link!) (it's 25 minutes; you can listen to just part of this if you'd like)
- Definitions of philosophy from many philosophers Links to an external site., from the Philosophy Bites book (may be similar to the podcast, above). From http://www.brainpickings.org.
Videos
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"What is Philosophy For?"
Links to an external site.
What is Philosophy For? a video by "The School of Life" (about 5 mins)
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"What is Philosophy?"
Links to an external site.
What is Philosophy? a video with an answer by Jack Russell Weinstein, Director of the Institute for Philosophy in Public Life. (6 minutes)
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What is Philosophy?: Crash Course Philosophy #1
Links to an external site.
This video, by the Crash Course series, introduces various areas of philosophy (we will only be focusing on ethics, and a little social & political philosophy).
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Why study philosophy?
Links to an external site.
John Corvino (a colleague of mine from grad school) has a nice, short, 2-minute video on the value of studying philosophy.
- " Links to an external site.The Value of Philosophy in our Daily Lives," Links to an external site.a video by Tim Maudlin on Big Think (about 3 mins)
Blog posts or other readings
- "What is Philosophy?" Links to an external site. a blog post by John S. Wilkins, an Australian philosopher.
- "What is Philosophy For?" Links to an external site. on the School of Life website.
- "Why is Philosophy Important?" Links to an external site. from Daily Nous; see the comments for lots of different answers.
- "The Value of Philosophy" Links to an external site. is a relatively famous book chapter by British philosopher Bertrand Russell, from 1912. It's longer than the other things on this list, but I think it gives an interesting view of philosophy.
No discussion meetings this week!
They start next week.
Checklist of things to do before next week:
- Read the syllabus
- Watch the videos and read the texts for next week (see the Week 2 module here on this site)
- Start thinking about or finish the What is Phillosophy? Part 1 assignment (due next week)
- If you have any questions about the course, please ask them on the discussion board topic devoted to general questions about the course or assignments.
Attribution for image at the top of this page: Philosopher Links to an external site., Flickr photo shared by Kristina, Links to an external site. licensed CC BY 2.0 Links to an external site.