AP/PHIL4075 3.0 A: Life, Death, Absurdity, and Meaning
Offered by: PHIL
Session
Summer 2022
Term
S1
Format
SEMR
Instructor
Calendar Description / Prerequisite / Co-Requisite
This course focuses on one of the fundamental questions in philosophy: What is the meaning of life?. The theories and supporting arguments of major philosophers in the past and present who have addressed this question are analyzed and critically evaluated. Prerequisite: At least nine credits in philosophy.
Course Start Up
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Dr. David Stamos
dstamos@yorku.ca
This course focuses on one of the fundamental questions in philosophy: "What is the meaning of life?" The theories and supporting arguments of major (and some not-so-major) thinkers in the past and present who have addressed this question are analyzed and critically evaluated. Some of the philosophers included are Nozick and Camus, some of the quasi-philosophers included are Schweitzer, and some on the non-philosophers included are Frankl and Dawkins.
All texts will be either pdfs or websites
Two paper proposals (10% and 10%)
Two submitted papers (30% and 30%)
Attendance taken at the start and finish of each class (20%)
Three hours twice weekly of seminar discussions in which I guide each discussion, which includes a set of questions, and students do most of the talking and arguing (but only those who did the reading beforehand).
The ability to critically and fairly assess concepts and arguments in the readings and to make good arguments pro and con—both in seminar discussions and in submitted papers. Students must be willing to speak and write clearly and systematically and want to be understood. (Students who are not willing or are not capable of doing that should not take the course, since they will get very low grades on the graded work and will harm other students, and me, during discussions.)
- Academic Honesty
- Student Rights and Responsibilities
- Religious Observance
- Grading Scheme and Feedback
- 20% Rule
No examinations or tests collectively worth more than 20% of the final grade in a course will be given during the final 14 calendar days of classes in a term. The exceptions to the rule are classes which regularly meet Friday evenings or on Saturday and/or Sunday at any time, and courses offered in the compressed summer terms. - Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
