PHILOSOPHY 120 (02W) :
THEORIES OF HUMAN NATURE
Fall, 2003
| Dr. Julie Ward ; homepage: http://orion.it.luc.edu/~jward | |
| Office.............. | Crown 549 |
| Office Phone... | 508-2297; Dept. 508-2291. |
| Email............... | jward@luc.edu |
| Office Hours.... | T, Th 1:00-2:15 and by app.'t. |
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Many philosophers have devised abstract conceptions of the world based upon their views of nature, including the nature of human beings. This class will examine several theories about human nature based on writings from Euripedes and Plato to the Existentialists. Some of the
topics we will address in these readings include: whether humans are basically irrational or are capable of rational reflection; to what extent humans can uphold moral values (with or without divine assistance); the human need for liberty and intellectual freedom; whether life is
absurd and the search for values is meaningless. The thinkers whose works we study to uncover the answers to these questions include: Euripedes, Plato, Aristotle, Mill, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and Camus. Note: This Writing Intensive course has English 105-106 (English
Comp.) as a class pre-requisite.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To enable students to think critically about philosophical views of human nature.
2. To teach students two modes of writing, expository, and argumentative, for use in writing papers.
3. To develop students' ability to evaluate philosophical views and positions, both in writing and in discussion.
COURSE FORMAT
1. Weekly lectures are combined with frequent student discussion: class participation is expected regularly.
2. Class includes textual work; bring texts to class for analysis and discussion.
3. Short summaries (see syllabus) are used for class and small group discussions.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Papers: Two short papers with rough drafts (6 pp. typed), due as noted in syllabus (40 pts).
2. Short Summaries: Seven summaries: one-page, hardcopy (not electronic); 2 pts. each (15 pts. for all 7).
All summaries due in class on due date-- no late summaries receive credit.
3. Exams: Two exams, Midterm, TH 10/9 (20 pts); Final Exam TU 12/9, 3-5 pm (25 pts).
4. Bonus Pts: 5 pts. for extra oral presentation, or group project (see me).
REQUIRED TEXTS
(1-6 at Barnes and Noble Bookstore)
1. Euripides, The Bacchae and Other Plays (Penguin).
2. Grube, Plato, Five Dialogues (Hackett).
3. Gilman, C. P. Gilman: A Reader .
4. Gilman, Herland (Pantheon).
5. Mill, On Liberty and Other Essays (Cambridge).
6. Ostwald, Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics (Bobbs-Merrill).
Additional Required Readings:
Web Linked Texts (see my homepage), & Reserve Readings (articles to xerox) in Cudahy Library Reserves, under Instructor, "Ward."
Links to texts on the web should be downloaded and read in advance of class discussion.
SYLLABUS
Texts and Topic By Week
Weeks 1-2.5: Liberal Theory of Human Nature
Week 1: Aug. 26-28.
TU: Introduction: the nature of philosophy and argumentation. What is a theory of human nature? What is philosophical argument? Some argument structures.
TH: Liberalism. Reading Mill, On Liberty, ch. 1: the value of liberty, its constraints.
week 2: Sept. 2-4.
TU: Lecture and Discussion, Reading: On Liberty, ch. 2: freedom of thought and discussion.
TH: On Liberty, ch. 3: individuality and well-being.
TH, 9/4: Summary #1: Describe two kinds of individual freedom that Mill discusses. Why does he find them important? Give some reasons to support your answer.
Week 3: Sept. 9-11.
TU:Lecture, Reading: On Liberty, Ch. 4: limits of authority of society over individuals. Class Discussion: do "self-regarding actions" sometimes affect others? Is paternalism (look up term) ever justified? Is there any good reason for the social enforcement of morality?
TH: Socrates and his Defense: Reading, Plato, The Apology.
TH, 9/11: Summary # 2: What are the first and second set of accusations brought against Socrates at his trial? (Apology).
Weeks 3.5-6: Socrates, Plato and Greek Enlightenment
Week 4: Sept. 16-18
TU & TH: Lecture, and Reading: Plato, Euthyphro, Crito.
TH, 9/18: Summary # 3: What does Socrates say about obedience to civil law? (See Crito)
Week 5: Sept. 23-25
TU & TH: Lecture and Reading, Plato, Meno; Discussion: What does Plato think virtue is? Can virtue be taught?
TH: 1st Paper Rough Draft Due (6 pp., typed), see first paper topics below.
Week 6: Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
TU & TH: Lecture and Reading: Plato, Phaedo: focus upon the 4 arguments for immortality.
TH, 10/2: Summary # 4:Write an analysis of the recollection argument (see Phaedo).
Weeks 7-9: Aristotle & Virtue Ethics.
Week 7: Oct. 7-9.
TU Lecture on Aristotle, Ethics, Bks. I-II. Focus: happiness and moral virtue--how do we become good?
TH, 10/9: MID-TERM, In-class exam (Mill, Socrates, Plato).
Week 8: Oct. 14-16.
TU: Lecture and Reading: Aristotle, Ethics, Bk. III, ch. 1-5: the voluntary and choice; how we are responsible for good or bad actions.
TH: Reading: Aristotle, Ethics, Bk. IV, Virtues: ch. 1: generosity, ch. 3: magnanimity, ch. 4: ambition; also ch. 5-9. Film: The Emperor's Club.
TH, 10/16: Final Draft Paper One Due.
Week 9: Oct. 21-23.
TU: Lecture, and Reading: Aristotle, Ethics, Bk.VI: practical reason and moral virtue.
TH: Lecture and discussion, Aristotle, Ethics Bk. VIII, ch. 1-8; IX, ch. 2-5: friendship, what it is and why we need it.
TH, 10/23: Summary # 5: State what Aristotle says friendship is, why it is important, and when it is dissolved.
Weeks 10-12: Gilman & Communitarian Feminism.
Week 10: Oct. 28-30.
TU: Lecture, Gilman, 19th cen. Feminism; Reading: Gilman Reader, "Yellow Wallpaper": analysis of 19th c. women's situation. Handout on Gilman's proposals.
TH: Discussion, G's feminist solutions: Reading, "If I Were a Man," "What Diantha Did,"Cottagette," "Making a Change,""Unnatural Mother," and "Turned."
Week 11: Nov. 4-6.
TU: No Class; Break.
TH: Gilman's Utopian Vision: Herland, Reading, Herland, abt. first half (through the attempted escape).
TH, 11/6: Summary # 6: Describe three fundamental differences between our society and Herland.
Week 12: Nov. 11-13.
TU: Lecture and Discussion, Herland, second half (through to end).
TH: Discussion on the improvements and disadvantages of Herland society.
TH, 11/13: 2nd Paper Second Rough Draft Due ( 6 pp.), see paper topics below.
Week 13-15: Irrationalism and Existentialism.
Week 13: Nov. 18-20. See Link, to Genesis I (download I, chapters 1-3): focus, Biblical view of human nature, the apple, desire for wisdom, expulsion.
TU & TH: Lecture and Reading: Euripedes, The Bacchae. Discussion topics: weakness of reason; irrationalism.
TH, 11/20: Summary 7: What does the opposition of Pentheus to Dionysus show about Euripedes's view of human nature?
Week 14: 25-27.
TU: Existentialism, nihilism, and the Meaning of Life. Reading: Camus' Myth of Sisyphus, via link Camus, "Myth of Sisyphus," and also read Reserve materials in Cudahy, under "Existentialism" (R. Solomon).
TH: No Class; Break.
Week 15: Dec. 2.
TU: Lecture and discussion on Existentialism, Camus' text (cont.).
TU, 12/2: 2nd Final Paper Due: In-class (OR Wed. 12/3, 5 pm, my office).
TU, 12/9: FINAL EXAM: 3-5 pm, DUM. 118. (Review all summary and discussion topics for essay areas.)
ACADEMIC RULES and POLICIES
1. Plagiarism and cheating will be punished as per Loyola Student Handbook policies.
Students are expected to know what kinds of textual use constitutes plagiarism in papers.
2. In order to receive credit for a paper, you must have turned in a rought draft on time.
3. Every student is responsible for information about assignments, papers, and for material given out in class.
If you miss class, you need to find out what you missed on that day.
4. All writing assignments are due in class on the day marked above; no late papers will receive credit (except for medical emergencies).
5. Consistent attendance and class participation (or its lack!) will be noted.
PAPER TOPICS
Prepare a carefully written essay using proper footnote or endnote format for all direct and indirect references.
First Paper: Expository Paper (choose one).
Topic # 1:
What precisely is "individuality" for Mill? Put it in his terms, and also explain it in your own words. Then explain why Mill finds it to be of primary importance to a democratic society. Use specific textual references in Mill for support of your account here. Finally, consider
whether a society might be better off by limiting individuality, and engaging in some forms of censorship.
Topic # 2:
On trial, Socrates told the Athenian jury that the unexamined life is not worth living for us (Apology, 38a-b): what kind of life is he rejecting and what endorsing? First, explain the meaning of this idea, and then relate it to the kind of life Socrates led (e.g., Apology, Euthyphro,
Crito). Finally, consider whether rational reflection and thought are universal values, or should be limited to a minority of citizens.
Second Paper: Argumentative Paper (choose one).
Topic # 1:
Aristotle claims that we are capable of moral virtue but are "by nature" neither good nor bad (Ethics, II. 1): how can this be so? First set out what Aristotle's account of moral virtue is, how we acquire it (Ethics, II), and its relation to practical reason (Ethics, VI). Finally,
consider whether there are any objections to his theory.
Topic # 2:
C. P. Gilman describes a society in Herland that may be called politically and socially egalitarian, yet it limits certain individual freedoms. First describe this society and its primary values, and then explain why Gilman thinks it is preferable to modern technological society.
Finally, consider whether there is anything in her utopian view that is open to criticism.
NOTES ON GRADING & TERM PAPERS
1. Style: Paper One should be expository, and paper two should be argumentative.
For more information on these modes, please consult a text on writing styles; also see sample papers on Reserve in Cudahy Library for this class.
2. The Goal : Your paper should show me how you read and analyze these texts: I do not want to read what some secondary source has written on them.
Plagiarism: papers that do not cite sources properly will be severely penalized, including "F" for the course, and a report to the Dean of the College.
3. On Grading: I grade for the quality of the written paper, not for your effort or good intentions. Thus, I assess neither more nor less than what you present me with in your document. Badly written papers will be graded down; please use the Writing Center before your rough
draft if you know you need help. Rough drafts are to develop your ideas, not your grammar. .
See Link to Grading Standards on my main Homepage: http://orion.it.luc.edu/~jward.