PHIL218 - Personal Identity and Choice

[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2003/2004

Personal Identity and Choice
PHIL 218 FA

We will explore philosophical reflections on the problem of personal identity, and its relationship to matters of choice and freedom. How are certain experiences and thoughts and physical bodies related to "my self"? Am I the same person over time no matter how much those experiences and thoughts and body change? Can I choose which elements of my existence to count as essential?

Some argue the concept of a unified and enduring self partakes of illusion; at the other extreme some argue for the permanent integrity of individual souls. Regarding choice and freedom, we find a related debate, ranging from those who deny free will altogether to those who defend it as the core of human existence. The middle ground between these extremes will occupy much of the course. How might we coherently say that human selves can have either more or less integrity? What gives a measure of meaningful coherence to a person's life? Similarly, can we distinguish some choices as more free than others? What are the conditions? Besides serving as an introduction to philosophical reasoning, the course will prove relevant to those interested in various related topics such as social identities, political freedom, and legal responsibility.

MAJOR READINGS

Readings include both classic and contemporary philosophical texts, along with some material from related social science fields.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Evaluation will focus on weekly writing, discussion, participation in peer critique, revison of writing, and a final essay.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

No previous philosophy is required, although students should be prepared to engage in some dense reading and argument analysis.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA PHIL Grading Mode: Student Option

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Springer,Elise

Instructor's Course Page

Times: .M.W... 08:30AM-09:50AM; Location: FISK115

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 18)

SR. major: X Jr. major: X

SR. non-major: X Jr. non-major: X SO: X FR: 18

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Writing

FYI: First Year Initiative:Seminar

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004