Introduction to Philosophy (The Last Days of Socrates)

This course will provide an overview of the major topics and figures in Western Philosophy though a careful study of the last days of Socrates, as described in Plato's dialogues.

• Quarter 1: Logic/Epistemology - The Apology (How can we know the truth? This quarter will look at the arguments in Socrates' trial before exploring Aristotelian logic, Cartesian skepticism, and British empiricism.)

• Quarter 2: Ethics - The Crito / The Euthyphro (What is goodness? Here we begin by exploring Socrates' view on morality through two encounters that occurred before and after his trial. From there, we will look at major lines of ethical thought from Seneca, Mills, and Nietzsche)

• Quarter 3: Metaphysics - Phaedo Pt 1 (What is real? In this quarter we will start with Socrates/Plato's metaphysical theory of Forms. From there, we will look at other views of reality, including the works of St. Anselm, Spinoza, and Kant)

• Quarter 4: Anthropology - Phaedo Pt 2 (What does it mean to be human? In the final quarter, we witness Socrates' final moments and his argument for the immortality of the soul. From there, we will see other perspectives on the human experience from Pascal, Kierkegaard, and Camus.)

Students will be expected to complete assigned readings, engage in classroom discussions, and write a total of four essay papers, one for each quarter.

By the end of this class, students will have improved their critical thinking and rhetorical skills, as well as gaining a deeper appreciation for the enduring significance of Philosophy's great questions. aaaaa

• Computer: You will need a stable, reliable computer, running with a processor with a speed of 1 GHz or better on one of the following operating systems: Mac OS X with Mac OS 10.7 or later; Windows 8, 7, Vista (with SP1 or later), or XP (with SP3 or later). We do not recommend using an iPad or other tablet for joining classes. An inexpensive laptop or netbook would be much better solutions, as they enable you to plug an Ethernet cable directly into your computer. Please note that Chromebooks are allowed but not preferred, as they do not support certain features of the Zoom video conference software such as breakout sessions and annotation, which may be used by our teachers for class activities.
• High-Speed Internet Connection: You will also need access to high-speed Internet, preferably accessible via Ethernet cable right into your computer. Using Wi-Fi may work, but will not guarantee you the optimal use of your bandwidth. The faster your Internet, the better. We recommend using a connection with a download/upload speed of 5/1 Mbps or better. You can test your Internet connection here.
• Webcam: You may use an external webcam or one that is built in to the computer. Webcam Recommendations: Good (PC only) | Best (Mac and PC)
• Headset: We recommend using a headset rather than a built-in microphone and speakers. Using a headset reduces the level of background noise heard by the entire class. Headset Recommendations: USB | 3.5mm
• Zoom: We use a web conferencing software called Zoom for our classes, which enables students and teachers to gather from around the globe face to face in real time. Zoom is free to download and easy to use. To download Zoom:
  1. Visit zoom.us/download.
  2. Click to download the first option listed, Zoom Client for Meetings.
  3. Open and run the installer on your computer.
  4. In August, students will be provided with instructions and a link for joining their particular class.
• Scanner: In this class, students frequently submit homework assignments by scanning pages from their workbooks. Students and/or their parents should have easy access to a scanner and the ability to use it.