Fall 2011

Philosophy of Mind – Phil 3500 -001

Tu Th 12:30-1:45

Texts:

Kant, Critique of Pure Reason;

Husserl, The Idea of Phenomenology,

Logical Investigations 4, 5 (short selections in a reader),

Lectures on the phenomenology of internal time-consciousness

Our aim is to acquaint ourselves with two, related conceptions of the functioning of the human mind. We will start with Kant’s “A-Deduction,” and then the “Schematism,” both in the first Critique. We will be reading the texts phenomenologically, which means that we will be looking for descriptions of structures in cognition. These descriptions are useful beyond the terms and limitations of Kant’s own Copernican project. After Kant, we will turn to Husserl and begin with a brief overview and motivation for his approach in The Idea.... We will then quickly focus in on filling out the details in his conception of intentionality as conscious content, the relation between language and consciousness and finally, for most of the semester, the relationship between consciousness and time.

This is a WP course, so there will be an emphasis on writing. One paper on each author. 2 drafts for each one.

Intro to Philosophy – Phil 1010- 001

MWF 9-9:50

Texts:

Plato, Phaedo, in The Last Days of Socrates

Plato, Symposium

Aristotle, Physics IV

Augustine, Confessions, XI

Kant, Critique of Judgment

Freud, The Ego and the Id

Marx, Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844

Nancy, God, Justice, Love, Beauty: 4 Little Dialogues

This class will introduce students to philosophy through a sampling of topics reaching from Ancient Greek to Contemporary European philosophy. We will read short texts on the topics of love, the soul, the unconscious, desire, alienation, God, creation, beauty and time. In addition to the books on order at the bookstore we will be using a reader (available for purchase in the philosophy department) with short extracts from Aristotle St. Augustine and Kant.

Ancient Philosophy – Phil 2200 -001

Tu Th 8-9:15

Texts:

Plato, Phaedo, Theaetetus, Timaeus

Aristotle, Categories, Metaphysics (in Introductory Readings), Physics

Cicero, On Academic Skepticism

This class will cover major topics and figures from ancient Greek and Roman philosophy. In addition to a broad historical overview, we will look at how these authors thought about the soul, creation, space and time, the nature of reality and human knowledge.