PHIL 1001S Week 1: Introduction to Philosophy

INTRODUCTION

“The philosopher is driven by wonder, and philosophy begins with wonder.” – Plato

The study of philosophy often starts with a sense of wonder and a desire to question the world. This week, we will delve into profound inquiries and contemplate the mysteries of existence. Some of the significant questions we may explore include: What is the purpose of life? Do you believe in a higher power? Is life inherently just? What would you be willing to sacrifice your life for? Is freedom always a desirable state?

However, engaging in philosophy is not solely about wandering in the realm of abstract ideas. This course will demonstrate that philosophy is a practical discipline with real-world applications. Through philosophical inquiry, you will develop the skills necessary to defend and support your positions and beliefs. Learning to think critically about yourself and the world will enhance your communication abilities and empower you to make thoughtful decisions concerning your life and the world around you. In this first week, we will investigate the fundamental questions of philosophy and explore the methodology of logic.

PHIL 1001S Week 1: Introduction to Philosophy

• Understand the origin and original meaning of philosophy.
• Identify the various branches of philosophy.
• Explain the nature and characteristics of philosophical questions.
• Analyze the differences among and between different forms of logic.
• To begin the week effectively, please complete the following tasks as early as possible:

Chapter 1, “Philosophical Questions” (pp. 27-41)

• Appendix B, “Deductive Logic Valid Argument Forms” (pp. 385-389)
• Course Text: Chaffee, J. (2005). The philosopher’s way: Thinking critically about profound ideas (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
• Chapter 1, “What is Philosophy? Thinking Philosophically About Life” (pp. 3-41)
• Schick, T., & Vaugh, L. (2008). What is your philosophy? In Doing philosophy: An introduction through experiments. New York: McGraw-Hill.
• This document will be used in this week’s Discussion Assignment.
• Vicchio, S. (2008). An Introduction to Logic (Word document, available in this electronic format only).
• This document will be used in this week’s Application 2 Assignment.
• Vicchio, S. (2008). Logic pretest (Word document, available in this electronic format only).
• This document will be used in this week’s Application 2 Assignment.

Supplemental Resources

Gensler’s Philosophy Exercises: http://www.jcu.edu/philosophy/gensler/exercise.htm

Reflection: The Matrix Wachowski, A., & Wachowski, L. (Writers/Director), Silver, J. (Producer). (1999). The matrix [Motion picture]. Warner Bros Pictures