Philosophy Honors Class.
Instructor: J. M. Joeb
Primary Text:  Archetypes of Wisdom  Soccio

The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder.

This page reflects the first semester 98/99 course.  It is left in place as a reference and may be used as a rough syllabus.Dates have been "neutered" since we progress as appropriate, but the topic order remains.
To view current course progress, click here.
As the topics are covered in the current course we'll change font colors on this page to blue
 

Below are listed the broad topics to be covered in the class.  Students will perform guided reading/research on these topics.  They will share findings, compare thoughts and relate them to present day ideas concerning ethics, justice, and virtually any other related point in discussion.

(Some "non-text book" essays/readings are provided in this course.  As a rule, only those assigned from the text are listed.  If no reading is listed, it is safe to assume you should have been in class to pick it up.)  Don't miss class!

• Begins with non-western philosophers

Job, Confucius, Budha, etc.
     Consideration of type and focus
     Historical context
     Relationship of religion to philosophy
     Define/identify "Philosophy, Wisdom"
     Contrast "wisdom/knowledge"
• Pre-Socratic Greek philosophers

     Relationship to the sciences
• Socrates

     Compare/contrast Socrates and those previously studied
           "Know thyself."
           "The unexamined life is not worth living."
                    Wise admonitions?
• Plato (the Academy)

      Storing "wisdom?"
      "Teaching" it?
• Aristotle

      Philosophy in politics
      Philosophy in science
• Ethics

      "Universality" of standards?
      Kohlberg's Model of Moral Development
             Application of model through personal observations
      Invalid Arguments (may be covered with Sophists)
• Plato's "Cave"

       Compare to "Universal Standards" from Kohlberg
• Group Projects are due beginning of sixth week

       Presentations to the class
• Testing based on project presentations
• New Grading Period (approx.)
• Hedonism

        Cyrenaic Hedonism
        Narcissism
        Epicurus
             His philosophy
       Finish "Hedonism"
        Contemplation Assignment:
"The Queen's Dilemma" was used as a contemplation device for consideration of Hedonism.  Expect some reference to it on the next test.
Consider (and make a few notes re. your opinion) the consequences of general Hedonism in the larger society.
        Quiz based on readings AND class discussions.
• Stoicism

        Cynicism
• More Reading

Thomas Aquinas, the "Scholar"
        Students should finish reading summaries of "Five Arguments" by week's end.
        Classroom discussion Thursday and Friday
                Look for "Unmoved Mover" in Aristotle's teleology
                Can physics and metaphysics "enjoy" each other's company?
• Expect a cumulative test
  
  
• Short reading assignment: Overview of Modern Themes

         Classroom discussion recapping classical thought
         Considerations of historical events that impacted philosopical thought
                 Constantine the Great (review of earlier Student Presentation)
                  Influence of the Church
• ADDENDA: Classroom reading (backpedal to Aquinas) George Will Essay from Newsweek (date??) concerning Big Bang and First Cause

Discussion: Compare intent of Thomas Aquinas' arguments and 13th encyclical "Fides et Ratio" from Pope John Paul II (mentioned by Will)
• Reading

        Rationalism
         Descartes
         "A priori" and "a posteriori" knowledge
                 "I think, therefore I am." (Some scholars believe "I question ..." is nearer the real intent) "Cogito ergo sum" is the phrase that comes down to us most often.
                 Does this demonstrate "a priori" truth?
(I can't resist.) Descartes is ordering a cup of coffee.  The waitress asks, "Would you like cream and sugar?"
"I think not," he responds.
When the waitress returns with the order Descartes has disappeared.

     Assigned readings should be completed within week
          Discuss/expand readings

• Rationalism and politics

          Thomas Paine
                  American Revolution
                  French Revolution
          Contemplation assignment: Is everyone capable of "rational" thought?
A digression:  Review of, and practice with, Formal Analogies
           There will be a quiz later
           Analogies will almost certainly be a part of your final exam
 
• Reading

        Skepticism
                   Locke
                   Hume
           Discuss/expand readings
Value of skepticism in "real" world situations
           Propaganda, advertising, scams
Documentary: World class "scams"
         Classroom discussion and review to this point
           Quiz (analogies)
• Contemplation assignment/essay (if time permits):

           What is "The Mind?"
           Don't give me the Materialist/Behaviorist view
                    Write a "formal" as opposed to "conversational" essay
                    Write for reader(s) unknown to you
                           In other words, explain stuff
• Begin reading:

          If you Kan, begin section on Kant
• Introduce Adam Smith

            Compare/contrast with Kant
            Consider "Epicurianism" in his own philosophy
                           Greatest happiness in scholarly pursuits
                            Test
• To semester's end
• Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill (Utilitarianism)

          Compare with hedonism
• Introduce William James and Pragmatism

             Free Will vs. Determinism
             Accountability and Responsibility
                            Test
• Survey Existentialism: Review for Final

            Touch on Albert Camus (who maintained he was not an existentialist)
• As time permits, we will look into Nietzsche

 
• Exams Begin SOON!!

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This page will be updated as appropriate.

This page reflects the FIRST SEMESTER course for '98-99.  Since it is a fairly accurate representation of the outline for the course as presented in Mr. Joeb's class, it is left in place.  Places for "dates" from that semester have been "neutered."