PHIL 264: Twentieth Century Philosophy

TuTh 12:30-1:45 PM

Offered by Sara Bernstein (saraphil264@gmail.com)

Spring 2008

What is time? Is time like space? Are you identical to yourself across time? Do you have free will? Is there meaning in life? This course will examine some of the central problems of philosophy in the 20^th century, with a particular emphasis on metaphysical problems.

Required Texts:

Riddles of Existence, Earl Conee and Theodore Sider

Metaphysics: an Anthology, Ed. Jaegwon Kim and Ernest Sosa

Existentialism and Human Emotions, Jean-Paul Sartre

…and numerous others, available on e-reserve.

Interactive course webpage: http://www.u.arizona.edu/~sjbern/Courses/TwentiethCent.htm

Course Requirements:

One short paper, 4-5 pages; 20%

In-class midterm exam; 30%

One short paper, 4-5 pages; 20%

Cumulative final exam. 30%

See bottom for notes on extra credit.

Schedule

Metaphysics (Or: How I Learned to Start Worrying and Question the Fundamental Nature of Reality)

January 17: “What is Metaphysics?”, Earl Conee, in Riddles of Existence

Space and Time: Two Peas in a Pod?

January 22: “Time,” Ted Sider, in Riddles of Existence

January 24: “The Space-Time World”, J.J.C. Smart, in Metaphysics: The Big Questions

January 29: Einstein’s Dreams, “14 April 1905” through “8 May 1905”

January 31: “Spatial and Temporal Analogies and the Concept of Identity,” Richard Taylor (e-reserve)

February 5: Einstein’s Dreams, “11 May 1905” through “2 June 1905”

February 7: “The Unreality of Time”, J.M.E. McTaggart (e-reserve)

February 12: McTaggart, continued; Begin Lewis

February 14: “The Paradoxes of Time Travel,” David Lewis, in Metaphysics: The Big Questions

February 19: Lewis, continued Paper #1 Due.

Personal Identity: Are you the same “you” as the “you” four days ago?

February 21: “Personal Identity”, Ted Sider, in Riddles of Existence

February 26: Derek Parfit, “Personal Identity” (e-reserve)

February 28: Personal Identity, continued

March 4: Thomas Nagel, “Brain Bisection and the Unity of Consciousness” (e-reserve)

March 6: Personal Identity, continued

March 11: In-class midterm.

Free Will: Did you choose to come to class today?

March 13: “Free Will,” Ted Sider, in Riddles of Existence

March 18: Spring Break. No Class.

March 20: Spring Break. No Class.

March 25: Roderick Chisholm, “Human Freedom and the Self” in Metaphysics: The Big Questions

March 27: Free Will, continued Time Extra Credit Due. Personal Identity Extra Credit Due.

April 1: Timothy O’Connor, “The Metaphysics of Free Will” (e-reserve)

April 3: Donald Davidson, “Actions, Reasons, and Causes” (e-reserve)

April 8: Free Will, continued

April 10: Philip K. Dick, “Minority Report” (e-reserve) Paper #2 Due.

Existentialism: Is life meaningful?

April 15: Albert Camus, “An Absurd Reasoning” in The Myth of Sisyphus (e-reserve)

April 17: Jean-Paul Sartre, “Existentialism is a Humanism”

April 22: Jean-Paul Sartre, “Existentialism and Human Emotions”

April 24: Sartre, continued

April 29: Simone de Beauvoir, “Conclusion” in The Second Sex

May 1: Philip Pettit, “Existentialism, Quietism, and the Role of Philosophy” (e-reserve) Free Will Extra Credit Due.

May 6: Review.

Thursday, May 15, 11-1 PM: Final Exam.

A few notes concerning…

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is representing another person’s work as one’s own. Outside works must be clearly cited or placed in quotes. Any cheating will be handled according to the university’s policy on academic dishonesty. Please see the UA Code of Academic Integrity for more information.

Extensions

Everyone is permitted one 24-hour paper extension. Extensions must be requested three days in advance.

Extra Credit

There will be several extra credit assignments involving outside reading and movies related to the topics discussed in class.

The assignments will involve writing a paper which compares and contrasts the themes the books and films to the themes in the reading. Extra credit will be due at the midpoint of the course (to be announced), and at the end of the course. Up to ten percentage points may be earned on the extra credit.

Syllabus Changes

It is possible that topics will be added, removed, or changed on the syllabus. If this happens, it will be announced in class and on the website.

Ways to Reach Sara, or her Indistinguishable Robot Clone

Email (by far the best way to reach me): saraphil264@gmail.com

Department phone: (520) 621-3120 (during office hours)

Office Hours: Tuesday 2-3, Wed 3-4, Thursday 2-3, Social Sciences 130.