Dr. Patrick Phillips
PJJP@Yorku.ca

Office hours by Appt.

Virtual Office Hours also available (by appt).

Thomas Nagel (the author of one of the textbooks for this course) asks: should the questions that Philosophy engages with matter to those outside of philosophy? Together, both in lecture and in tutorial, we will proceed to answer this question by looking at a set of related philosophical questions: Is knowledge possible? How can we know other minds? Do we possess free will? Can it be proven that a God exists? Do we survive the death of our bodies? Having gained some experience in argumentation and engagement, we will re-engage with Nagel’s provocative question by examining the work of Simon Blackburn in the second textbook for this course entitled Think.

A reading list will be provided at the beginning of the term. In the meantime, please acquire the text books for this course and begin reading Thomas Nagel’s What Does It All Mean: A Very Short Introduction to Philosophy (Oxford University Press 1989).

Technical requirements for taking the course:

Students who are not willing or comfortable discussing their ideas, listening to the arguments of others and engaging in a rational, critical process are not encouraged to enrol.

Attendance for lectures and tutorials is of paramount importance (many of the assessment requirements will take place in tutorials).

Use of smartphones both in lecture and in tutorial is strongly discouraged, unless otherwise specified by the instructor.

Be sure to acquire the course texts (listed below) which are available from the York University book store located in York Lanes Mall.

All meetings, both lecture and tutorials, will be held in person I.E., synchronously

Here are some useful links for student computing information, resources and help:

Student Guide to Moodle

Zoom@YorkU Best Practices 

Zoom@YorkU User Reference Guide

Computing for Students Website

Student Guide to eLearning at York University

Times and locations: All meetings, both lecture and tutorials will be held in person I.E., synchronously

What Does it All Mean? A Very Short Introduction to Philosophy

Thomas Nagel

Publisher‏: ‎ Oxford University Press

Publication date ‏: ‎ Feb. 1 1989

Edition‏: ‎ First Edition

Language‏: ‎ English

Print length‏: ‎ 101 pages

ISBN-10‏: ‎ 0195052927

ISBN-13‏: ‎ 978-0195052923

&

Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy 

Simon Blackburn

Publisher‏: ‎ Oxford Paperbacks

Publication date‏: ‎ March 1 2001

Edition‏: ‎ New

Language‏: ‎ English

Print length‏: ‎ 312 pages

ISBN-10‏: ‎ 0192854259

ISBN-13‏: ‎ 978-0192854254

One Essay: APA Style: 20%

One Essay: APA Style: 30%

Three in tutorial quizzes (best two results count) 15 each = 30%

Attendance and participation exercise in tutorial = 20%

TBA

The student who applies and engages with the course material and the discussions and debates in held in lectures and tutorials may expect to improve their vocabulary, their eloquence and their ability to argue and respond in real time, even when under intellectual pressure. In addition, the student will gain an understanding of the nature and range of the subject of Philosophy, as well as the opportunity to develop and/or clarify their own philosophical ideas and arguments

Course policies

Assignment Submission: Proper academic performance depends on students doing their work not only well, but on time. Accordingly, assignments for this course must be received on the due date specified for the assignment set by the Course Director or the Tutorial Leader.

Lateness Penalty: Assignments received later than the due date will be penalized (State penalty: e.g., one-half letter grade (1 grade point) per day that assignment is late). Exceptions to the lateness penalty for valid reasons such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., may be entertained by the Course Instructor but will require supporting documentation (e.g., a doctor’s letter).

Missed Tests: Students with a documented reason for missing a course test, such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., which is confirmed by supporting documentation (e.g., doctor’s letter) may request accommodation from the Course Instructor. Make up tests and exams are NOT guaranteed but rather are to be judged on a case-by-case basis, by the course Director, in accordance with York University policy.   If in doubt, contact your instructor (TA) in a timely and proactive manner.

Lastly, rudeness, person attacks and related aggressions, or other non-professional behavior in lecture or in tutorial will not be tolerated. Any such egregious behavior may result in disciplinary action. Please consult York University’s ‘Student Code of Conduct’  Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities | Division of Students | York University