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Academic Year 2004/2005
Philosophical Dilemmas and Descartes's Meditations
PHIL 233 SP
Descartes's MEDITATIONS, perhaps the most widely studies philosophical text, marks the beginning of modern philosophy. It is a short, but very deep, work, addressing many of the major philosophical questions, and we
will
study it, as well as other more contemporary readings, in some detail. We will examine questions such as these: Can we know about the external world? Is experience the source of all knowledge? Does God exist? Can God
allow innocent suffering? Is morality relative? Do we have free will? Is the mind nothing but the brain? In each case we'll explore not only pro and con responses to the questions in general, but Descartes's
responses
in particular, with special emphasis on helping the student to develop his/her own responses.
MAJOR READINGS
Descartes's, MEDIATATIONS
Plus various more contemporary readings.
EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
This will be a writing-intensive course, so there will be numerous short papers each going through at least two drafts, with feedback on the rough drafts. In addition there will be regular quizzes, and perhaps a final
exam or longer final paper.
COURSE FORMAT:
Discussion
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Level:
UGRD
Credit:
1
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA PHIL
Grading Mode:
Graded
Prerequisites:
NONE
SECTION 01
- Instructor(s): Pessin,Andrew W.
- Times: .M.W... 01:10PM-02:30PM; Location: FISK114;
- Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 19)
- SR. major: X Jr. major: X
- SR. non-major: X Jr. non-major: X SO: X FR: 19
Special Attributes:
- FYI: FYI Seminar
Links to Web Resources For This Course.
Last Updated on MAR-21-2005
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Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459