Fall 2023
Section 001
CRN: 13690
MWF 10:00 — 10:50 AM
Edith Kanaka‘ole Hall 122
Hybrid Instruction
Fall 2023 Syllabus
Section 003
CRN: 13699
MWF 11:00-11:50 AM
World Wide Web
Fall 2023 Syllabus
Dr. Timothy J. Freeman
The University of Hawaii at Hilo
Edith Kanaka‘ole Hall 212
office: 932-7479; cell: 345-5231
freeman@hawaii.edu
Office Hours: MWF 1:00-1:50
and by appointment
Phil 100 Introduction to Philosophy
Major philosophers, methods, and issues in Western and non-Western philosophy. Discussion of such problems as our knowledge of reality, the freedom of the will, the relations between the mind and body, morality, the meaning of life and the existence of God.
The Story of Philosophy. Bryan Magee. New York: DK Publishing, Inc., 2001
This course will provide an introduction to philosophy through examining key texts in both Western and Asian philosophical traditions. The first part of the course focuses on the philosophy of Plato, taking up for consideration his views on the nature of reality, the pursuit of knowledge, the relation between art and truth, and the importance of philosophy. The second part of the course provides an introduction to Asian philosophy, examining some of the key texts in Indian, Chinese, and Japanese philosophy. We start with the Upanishads, the foundation of Indian philosophy. We follow the development of classical Indian thought, Hinduism, in The Bhagavad Gita. We then turn to the development of Buddhism, examining some of the important texts in The Pali Canon, and then the further development of Mahayana Buddhism in the Prajnaparamita Sutras. We then turn to ancient China, examining key texts it the development of Confucianism and Daoism. We conclude this introduction to Asian philosophy by examining the development of Zen, which had its origins in China with the influence of both Mahayana Buddhism and Daoism. Part Three of the course provides an introduction to some of the important texts in the development of Modern Western Philosophy. We consider questions concerning the nature of reality, knowledge, and political philosophy, examining key texts of Descartes, Hobbes, Locke, and Hume. Part Four of the course takes up issues in philosophy today. We begin Thoreau's essay on civil disobedience, and the turn to Nietzsche's radical challenge to the tradition of Western Philosophy, some possible resonances of his thought with Asian philosophies, and the relevance of his thought for environmental philosophy. We will examine some of the developments in environmental philosophy including Aldo Leopold's "Land Ethic." We will take up a consideration of the problem of climate change, and also consider the possible relevance for environmental philosophy, of the controversy here on the island of Hawaiʻi concerning the summit of Mauna Kea.
[Philosophy courses for GE purposes]: (As with all Philosophy courses) Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
●respond clearly, logically and critically to examination questions and discussion questions about some important philosophical issues relevant to the course;
●read, comprehend, and discuss philosophical texts relevant to the course;
●compose effective written materials that assimilate, synthesize and reflect on course information;
●identify and describe in writing and in class discussion some important aspects of the cultural heritage and contributions of Western philosophy.
SECTION 001
This class is designated as a Hybrid Course. According to the UH Hilo Designation of Types of Courses this means:
"There will be a mix of face-to-face and online instruction. The instructor determines when students will attend face-to-face (in the classroom, laboratory, and/or field experience). Students are expected to attend face-to-face sessions as required by the Instructor."
SECTION 004
This class is designated as Online Scheduled (Synchronous) Course. This is an online course scheduled at specific dates and times as listed. Scheduled online meetings will be via Zoom or similar, with all coursework done online.
UH Hilo Designation of Types of Courses
For online instruction students will be expected to tune in to the Zoom sessions on time with cameras on and be ready to participate in class discussions
For face-to-face instruction students will be expected to come to class on time and be ready to participate in class discussions.
* Active cellular telephones or paging devices are not permitted in class.
* No consumption of food is allowed during the class period.
Attendance and Participation (10%):
Philosophy comes alive and most interesting through discussion, through engaging with each other about questions raised in the texts. An A in the course will thus require good attendance and participation in classroom and online zoom discussions
Mid-term assignment (40% each)
Each student must complete 1 of 2 mid-term essay assignments (3-4 pages each).
Turn in essays on Laulima.
If you do both assignments the lowest grade will be dropped.
Final Essay Assignment (50%)
Final essay assignment is 4-5 pages and is to be turned in to Laulima at end of final exam period.
Grading will be determined according to the following scale:
A 95-100 Excellent
A - 90-94
B + 87-89
B 84-86 Good
B - 80-83
C + 77-79
C 74-76 Satisfactory
C - 70-73 Poor
D 60-70 Failure
F below 60
Current, up to date statements regarding ITS, Disability Services, Advising, Academic Integrity, Kilohana Academic Success, Student Conduct, Mental Health, Students of Concern, and Title IX/EEO can be found at the following links:
Short Link
Mobile link
Early Greek Philosophy
Socrates and the Sophists
The Story of Philosophy (6-19)
The Apology
The Wisdom of Socrates (17-24b)
*August 29: Last day to withdraw from classes without owing tuition*
The Apology
The Socratic Method of Questioning (24c-28)
The Apology
The Importance of Philosophy (28c-35d)
Socrates' Response to the Jury (35d-42)
The Story of Philosophy (20-23)
Plato
detail from The School of Athens, Raphael, 1509-1511.
* Holiday: Labor Day*
**No class—PACT Conference in Seattle**
Plato's Philosophy
(Powerpoint Presentation)
**No class—PACT Conference in Seattle**
I will upload a video lecture on Laulima
The Phaedo
Philosophy as a Preparation for Death (57-68c)
Plato's Metaphysics and Epistemology (73b-84d)
Socrates's Last Words (114c-118)
*September 8: Last day to exercise Credit/No Credit
and final deadline to apply for Spring 2023 Graduation*
Rishi in Meditation
Hoysala Sculpture
The Republic
The Simile of the Sun and the Divided Line (473c-511e)
*September 12: Last Day to Drop A Class without "W"*
The Republic
The Myth of the Cave (514a-520d)
The Upanishads
The Teaching of Yoga
Bodhisattva with Lotus
India, Ajanta Caves, 5th c. C.E.
Theravada Buddhism
The Pali Canon
The Story of the Buddha
The Four Noble Truths
Theravada Buddhism
The Pali Canon
What is Nirvana?
The Fire Sermon
Film: The Buddha
Video Selection on the Fire Sermon from the film The Buddha
Mahayana Buddhism
Selections from
The Prajnaparamita Sutras
The Heart Sutra
Laozi on an Ox
Zhang Lu, Ming Dynasty
Chinese Philosophy
Confucianism
The Analects of Confucius
Daoism
The Daodejing
The Teachings of Laozi
*First Essay Assignment*
Due Monday, October 2
Upload pdf or Word file to Laulima
René Descartes
(1596-1650)
Descartes Powerpoint
Selections from Descartes'
Meditations on First Philosophy
Meditation I:
The Quest for Certainty
Meditation II:
The Foundation of Modern Philosophy
Descartes' Rationalism
The Epistemological Problem
Meditation II:
The Epistemological Problem
Thomas Hobbes
(1588-1679)
Descartes
Meditation VI:
Metaphysical Dualism
The Story of Philosophy (82-89)
Hobbes' Materialism
Leviathan
Man as Machine
The Story of Philosophy (78-81)
The Mind/Body Problem
Humans vs Nature
Problem of Freedom
Film: Selections from Blade Runner
What makes 'Tears in Rain' Special —the end of Blade Runner
John Locke
(1632-1704)
Political Philosophy
Hobbes' Political Philosophy
Selections from
Leviathan
On the State of Nature & the Social Contract
Locke's Political Philosophy
Selections from
The Second Treatise of Government
The Story of Philosophy (102-109)
Rousseau's Political Philosophy
Selections from
The Social Contract
The Story of Philosophy (126-129)
David Hume
(1711-1776)
Empiricism
Selections from Locke's
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
The Story of Philosophy (102-109)
Hume's Skepticism
Selections from
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding
The Story of Philosophy (112-117)
Kant's Copernican Revolution in Philosophy
Rationalism and Empiricism Come Together
The Story of Philosophy (132-137)
*Essay Assignment #2*
Due Monday, November 6
Upload pdf or Word file to Laulima
Friedrich Nietzsche
(1844-1900)
Painting by Edvard Munch, 1906.
Introduction to Nietzsche
Selections from Nietzsche
Nietzsche's Philosophers of the Future
*October 30: Last day to drop a class online with "W"*
Nietzsche's Revaluation of Values
The Death of God
Nietzsche
Thus Spoke Zarathustra
The Overman
The Will to Power
The Eternal Recurrence
Henry David Thoreau
(1817-1862)
Henry David Thoreau
On the Duty of Civil Disobedience
Mario Savio Speech
Martin Luther King Jr.:
Letter from a Birmingham Jail
*Holiday—Veteran's Day*
The Ethics of War and Peace
Pacifism, Just War Theory, & War Realism
Principles of Jus ad Bellum
The Ethics of War and Peace
Principles of Jus in Bello
The Fog of War
The Problem of Climate Change
Film clips: Before the Flood
The Climate Catastrophe and the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage
Tim Freeman
Slideshow presentation
Film:
Before the Flood
*Non-Instructional Day*
The Land Ethic
Aldo Leopold
Thich Nhat Hanh
The Sun My Heart
Hōkūleʻa and Full Moon
Final Essay Assignment
Due Monday, December 11 (11:40 AM)
Upload pdf or Word file to Laulima
Final Essay Assignment
Due Wednesday, December 13 (11:40 AM)
Upload pdf or Word file to Laulima
**Schedule is subject to revision**
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