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PHILO 201(W), Sec. 051[4783]/Mr. Mizrahi/TTh 5:35-6:50pm
Knowledge and Reality
We believe that we know some facts about the world that extend beyond
the reach of our immediate sensory perception. Our immediate sensory
perception doesn't reach to events that happened in the past, to
events
that are happening now in remote places, and to events that will
happen
in the future. Our immediate sensory perception is also limited when
it
comes to the entities postulated by scientists, such as sub-atomic
particles and black holes. Yet we still believe that we have some
sort
of indirect knowledge about unobservable events and entities. Do we
really have such knowledge? And if so, how do we acquire it? These
are
epistemological questions. Epistemology literally means "theory of
knowledge." Epistemologists study the nature and origin of knowledge,
the possibility of acquiring knowledge, and ways of doing so.
Questions concerning the existence of certain entities are
metaphysical
questions. Metaphysics is the study of the nature of reality. Some
typical metaphysical questions include: Is there a God? Do we have a
mind or a soul? Is the soul immortal? Do we have free will? This
course
introduces students to these two areas of inquiry within philosophy.
We
will read and discuss classical as well as contemporary philosophical
texts. We will also discuss case studies that will help us appreciate
the importance of epistemological and metaphysical questions and
their
relevance to some current issues, such as the Evolution-Creationism
debate.
Readings:
Readings:
Required reading selections will be available on Blackboard under
"Course Materials," and some handouts will be distributed in class.
However, those who prefer to use a textbook may buy Philosophical
Horizons: Introductory Readings, eds., Cahn & Eckert (Thomson
Wadsworth,
2006). ISBN-10: 0534518818 ISBN-13: 9780534518813.
Estimated price: $70.
Estimated price: $70.
