COURSE GUIDE FOR PHILOSOPHY 1 University of the Philippines Los Baos College, Laguna First Semester, AY 2011 2012

2 COURSE CODE AND TITLE PHLO 1 Philosophical Analysis COURSE DESCRIPTION Analysis of concepts, principles and methods of analysis drawn from Philosophy of Language, Epistemology, Logic, Philosophy of Science and Ethics.
1 Course Guide for Philosophy 1 First Semester, AY 2011-2012

COURSE GOALS: Philosophy 1 is an SSP-RGEP course that enhances the students appreciation for philosophy as a field of study and as an intellectual activity. It highlights and celebrates mans nature as a thinking being who has the ability to inquire, to understand, to analyze, and to reason and reflect on various human concerns. The foremost goal of the course is to develop the students reasoning and analytical skills and their ability to apply these to current and pressing problems and issues. In this course, the students will be armed with philosophical skills, tools and
2 Course Guide for Philosophy 1 First Semester, AY 2011-2012

principles drawn from the five major areas of philosophy that can help them maximize their mental capacities and transform them into critical thinkers. These are deemed vital not only to their life as students but also to their growth as persons. These skills, when properly cultivated and applied, can help bring them closer to living a more reflective and meaningful life. COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end of the course you should be able to:
1.

Explain concepts, principles and methods of analysis drawn from the major areas of
Course Guide for Philosophy 1 First Semester, AY 2011-2012

2.

3.

philosophy Apply these concepts, principles and methods of analysis to selected exercises and activities; and Analyze contemporary issues using these concepts, principles and methods.

COURSE OUTLINE I. Introduction to the subject matter of philosophy A. Branches of philosophy B. Brief History of Philosophy
II.

Concepts, principles and methods of analysis from the major areas of philosophy and their application
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1. 2. 3.

A. Epistemology Selected theories of knowledge Analysis of basic epistemological issues Exercises

B.

Philosophy of Language 1.Analysis of concepts and words a.distinction between words and concepts b.types of concepts c. theories of meaning d.intension and extension e.vagueness and ambiguity f. definition 2.Analysis of statements and sentences

Course Guide for Philosophy 1 First Semester, AY 2011-2012

a. distinction between a sentences and statements b. classification of statements c. theories of truth 3.Exercises Logic 1. Sentences, Representations and truth values a. principles of thought b. representation of statements c. statements and their truth values d. truth table 2.Formal Reasoning a. basic structure of arguments b. representation of arguments
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C.

c. d. e. f.

basic argument forms complex argument forms valid and invalid arguments tests of validity 3.Informal Reasoning a.reliability of informal reasoning b.informal fallacies 4. Composing arguments 5. Evaluating arguments 6. Exercises D. Ethics 1. Definitions of basic ethical terms 2. Selected moral principles
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3. Analysis of sample moral dilemmas 4. Exercises III. Philosophical Analysis of Selected Contemporary Issues using the Analytical Tools and Techniques Drawn from the Five Major Areas of Philosophy COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING You will be evaluated based on your performance on the following course requirements:
1. 2.

Two Long Examinations 1 Philosophical Paper (Group)

Course Guide for Philosophy 1 First Semester, AY 2011-2012

50% 25%

3.

Class Participation (Recitation/Recap/Exercises/Quizzes) 25% -----100 % Below is the equivalent grade of your raw scores: RAW SCORES 98 100 95 97 90 94 85 89 80 84 EQUIVALENT GRADE 1.0 Excellent 1.25 1.5 Very Good 1.75 2.0 Good

Course Guide for Philosophy 1 First Semester, AY 2011-2012

75 79 2.25 70 74 2.5 Satisfactory 65 69 2.75 60 64 3.0 Pass 55 59 4.0 Conditional 0 54 5.0 Fail STUDY SCHEDULE Below is the study plan for the course. Please be guided accordingly.
TOPICS ACTIVITIE ACTIVITIES READING STUDY S (Deadlines) S SCHED (Deadline Recitation ULE s) Session Lecture Session Course Week 1; Classroom Get to Know

PART 1.
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Course Guide for Philosophy 1 First Semester, AY 2011-2012

ORIENTATION to the Guide Course (Philosophy 1)

A. What is Philosophy? B. Branches of Philosophy

The Value of Philosoph y by Bertrand Russell The Nature of Philosoph y by Mourant and Freund Philosoph y Knowledg

Meeting Policies for s 1-2 the Lecture Sessions (1.5 hours) Week 2; Lecture Meeting Discussion 3-4 of the Topic (1.5 hours)

Activities Policies on Recitation Session (1.5 hours) Engaging students in philosophic inquiry by doing thought experiments on selected philosophical issues

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Course Guide for Philosophy 1 First Semester, AY 2011-2012

e and Value by Sprague and Taylor C. History of Philosophy 1. Ancient Period 2. Medieval Period The Story of Philosoph y by Bryan Magee The Pelican History of Western Philosoph y by D.W. Hamlyn Week 3; Broad Meeting Discussion 5-6 of philosophi c issues and schools of thought of the period (1.5 hours) Philosophical Discussion on selected problems that were raised during the ancient and medieval period

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Course Guide for Philosophy 1 First Semester, AY 2011-2012

D.History of Philosophy 3. Modern Period 4. Contemporar y Period

Week 4; Broad Meeting Discussion 7-8 of philosophi c issues and schools of thought of the period (1.5 hours) Philosophi Week 5; cal Meeting Analysis 9 10 7th ed. Discussion of basic concepts , principles and issues on Epistemol ogy (1.5 hours)

Artistic expression of ideas related to the modern and contemporary period. (group work/presentatio n) (1.5 hours)

E. Epistemology 1. Selected theories of knowledge 2. Analysis of basic epistemological issues

Case study of Filipino folk beliefs like kulam, barang, usog, duwende, aswang, engkanto, etc.

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Course Guide for Philosophy 1 First Semester, AY 2011-2012

EXAMINATION PART 2. Philosophy of Language and Logic A. Philosophy of Language Analysis of Concepts and Words 1. Distinction between words and concepts 2. Types of concepts Empirical Abstract Evaluative 3. Theories of meaning

Week 6. Exam Meeting (1.5 11 12 hours)

READING BREAK

Philosophi Week 7, Exam cal Meeting Results Analysis, 13 14 th 7 ed. Lecture on the indicated topics

Exercises on classifying concepts Language Game Activities Film Showing

4. Intension and
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Week 8, Lecture on Exercise on

Course Guide for Philosophy 1 First Semester, AY 2011-2012

Extension 5. Vagueness and Ambiguity 6. Definition B. Analysis of statements and sentences 1. distinction between a sentence and a statement 2. classification of statements 3. theories of truth Logic A. Sentences, Representations and truth values 1. principles of thought 2. representation of statements 3. statements and
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Meeting the 15-16 indicated topics Philosophi Week 9, cal Meeting Analysis 17-18 th 7 ed. Lecture on the indicated topics

unraveling Common Filipino expressions Philosophical discussion on the problem of truth and meaning

Week Philosophi 10; cal Meeting Analysis 19 20 th 7 ed.

Lecture on the indicated topics

Boardwork/seat work on representing statements Exercises on truth table

Course Guide for Philosophy 1 First Semester, AY 2011-2012

their truth values 4. truth table B. Formal Reasoning 1. basic structure of arguments 2. representation of arguments 3. basic argument forms 4. complex argument forms 5. valid and invalid arguments 6. tests of validity C. Informal Reasoning 1. reliability of informal reasoning 2. informal fallacies
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Philosophi cal Analysis 7th ed.

Week 11, Meeting 21 22

Boardwork/seat work on representing arguments and testing validity using the truth table method

Philosophi cal Analysis 7th ed

Week 12, Meeting 23 24

Identification of fallacies in advertisements Presentation of assignment on composing and

Course Guide for Philosophy 1 First Semester, AY 2011-2012

D.Composing arguments E. Evaluating arguments EXAMINATION Week Exam 13, (1.5 Meeting hours) 25 26 Philosophi cal Analysis 7th ed Week 14, Meeting 27 28 Exam Results (1.5 hours)

evaluating arguments

READING BREAK

Part 3: Ethics Ethics 1. Definitions of basic ethical terms 2. Selected moral principles Analysis of Sample Moral Dilemmas Submission of Group Philosophical
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Debate on selected moral issue

Week Discussion Discussion of 15, of paper paper Guidelines Meeting Guidelines 29 30 Finals Week

Course Guide for Philosophy 1 First Semester, AY 2011-2012

Paper

Other REFERENCES: Socrates meets Jesus by Bertrand Russell Euthyphro dialogues of Plato The Ontological Argument for Gods Existence (Proslogion) Introduction to Logic 9th Edition or latest edition by Irving M. Copi and Carl Cohen HOUSE RULES 1. Food and drinks are not allowed inside the lecture halls. 2. Use of cellular phones, MP3 players, and other multi media devices are not allowed inside the lecture hall/classroom.
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Actively participate in class discussions and activities. 4. Thoroughly read all the assigned readings and handouts. 5. Follow the dates/schedules of submission for requirements. Failure to do so will mean zero for the said requirement. Students can only make up for the missed requirement if the absence is excused. Take note that only official excuse slips will be entertained by your teacher. 6. University rules on attendance will be observed strictly. Students are allowed a maximum of three (3) absences for the Lecture class and a maximum of three (3) absences for the Recitation Class.
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Course Guide for Philosophy 1 First Semester, AY 2011-2012