Philosophy 100: Introduction to Philosophy
Fall 2003
Prof. David A. Salomon
[items marked as *handout will be distributed in class ahead of time]
The Question of Knowledge
W, 10/22: G. Lynn Stephens, "Descartes and the Problem of Our Knowledge
of the External World," 237-260
F, 10/24: Plato, "The Allegory of the Cave," reserve reading
M, 10/27: Rene Descartes, "Meditations on the First Philosophy," 261-270
Ethics
W, 10/29: James Rachels, "Nietzsche and the Objectivity of Morals,"
385-414
F, 10/31: Cancelled
M, 11/3: Friedrich Nietzsche, Selections, 414-423
W, 11/5: Peter Singer, "Justifying Voluntary Euthanasia," reserve reading
F, 11/7: Gregory Pence, "Four Questions About Ethics," reserve reading
Begin film: "Crimes and Misdemeanors"
M, 11/10: Film: "Crimes and Misdemeanors"
W, 11/12: Conclude film: "Crimes and Misdemeanors" and discussion
Aristotle, selections from Ethica Nichomachea, reserve reading
Article on "Crimes and Misdemeanors," handout to come
Postmodern Philosophy and Postmodern Literature and Film
F, 11/14: Introduction to Postmodernism/What is Beauty?
Reread Rachels, "Nietzsche’s Perspectivism," 394-98
M, 11/17: Frederic Jameson, from "Postmodernism and Consumer Society,"
handout*
W, 11/19: Jean Baudrillard, Simulations
F, 11/21: Jean Baudrillard, Simulations
M, 11/24: Jean Baudrillard, Simulations
**Essay Two Due
W, 11/26: This Class Will Not Meet
F, 11/28: No Classes: Thanksgiving
M, 12/1: Film, "Synthetic Pleasures"
W, 12/3: Film, "Synthetic Pleasures"
F, 12/5: Michael Bérubé,
from "Public Access," handout*
Terry Harpold, "Conclusions," handout
Michael Joyce, from "afternoon, a story," handout*
M, 12/8: Film, "Run Lola Run"
W, 12/10: Film, "Run Lola Run"
F, 12/12: Film, "Run Lola Run" and discussion
Last Day of Class
Final Examination: Wednesday, December 17, 8:00-9:30, Jonas 105
Sample Final Exam Question: Explain the meaning of life (in 90 minutes).
*from Postmodern American Fiction: A Norton Anthology. Ed. Paula Geyh,
Fred G. Leebron, Andrew Levy. New York: Norton, 1998.