PHIL 1560 - Introduction to Philosophy
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 03, CRN 41218,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
Log in to view more
Instructor
Alan Tomhave
Email: aetomhave@ysu.edu
Course Description
1560. Introduction to Philosophy. The nature of philosophy and its relation to science, religion, and art; study of the philosophical approach and attitude, the basic problem areas in philosophy, and some typical philosophical viewpoints. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | The Broadview Introduction to Philosophy | Andrew Bailey, editor | 978-1-55481-382-7 |
| Required | The Value of Philosophy, distributed via Blackboard | Bertrand Russell | N/A |
| Required | Fear and Trembling, excerpt, distributed via Blackboard | Soren Kierkegaard | N/A |
| Required | Computing Machinery and Intelligence, distributed via Blackboard | Alan Turing | Article |
| Required | Minds, brains, and programs, distributed via Blackboard | John Searle | Article |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
Log in to view more
Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | No reading. Notes on BB, Optional Reading: XVI-XXI | Course Introduction and Logic Primer | Review Logic Primer notes |
| 8/31 | Russell—The Value of Philosophy (Blackboard) Clifford—The Ethics of Belief (p99) |
The Value of Philosophy | Thesis for each reading Friday, I will give an explanation of the Argument Papers. |
| 9/7 | Descartes—Meditations 1 and 2 (p134) | What do we know? | Thesis due |
| 9/14 | GE Moore—Proof of an External World (p206) Plato—The Allegory of the Cave (p128) |
What do we know? | Thesis for each reading |
| 9/21 | Anselm—Proslogion (p3-8, Optional: 8-17) Aquinas—Summa Theologiae (p19) |
Does God exist? Is belief in God rational? | Thesis for each reading |
| 9/28 | Paley—Natural Theology (p50) JL Mackie—Evil and Omnipotence, (p72) |
Does God exist? Is belief in God rational? | Thesis for each reading AP1 due Sept 30 at 11:59pm |
| 10/5 | Kierkegaard—Fear and Trembling (Blackboard) | Does God exist? Is belief in God rational? | Thesis due |
| 10/12 | William James—The Will to Believe (p108) | Does God exist? Is belief in God rational? | Thesis due Midterm due Oct 16 @ 5pm |
| 10/19 | Ship of Theseus (Blackboard—this reading is only a sentence long) Dennett—Where Am I? (p504) |
What makes you the same you that you were yesterday, assuming that you are? Personal Identity | Thesis due |
| 10/26 | Parfit—Personal Identity (p515) Turing (Blackboard) |
What makes you the same you that you were yesterday, assuming that you are? Personal Identity Can computer think? AI |
Thesis for each reading AP 2 due Oct 31 at 11:59pm |
| 11/2 | Searle (Blackboard) Chisholm, p398 |
Can computer think? AI Are we free and morally responsible? |
Thesis for each reading |
| 11/9 | AJ Ayer—Freedom and Necessity (p438) Frankfurt—Alternate Possibilities and Moral Responsibility (p445) |
Are we free and morally responsible? | Thesis for each reading |
| 11/16 | Epictetus—Enchiridion (p975) Sartre—Existentialism is a Humanism (p992) |
Existentialism | Thesis for each reading |
| 11/23 | Camus—The Myth of Sisyphus (p1004) No reading for the ethics overview |
Existentialism Ethics |
Thesis for reading |
| 11/30 | Continuing ethics overview-no reading Marquis—Why Abortion is Immoral (p687) Thomson—A Defense of Abortion (p701) |
Ethics The ethics of abortion |
AP3 due Nov 30 at 11:59pm Thesis for each reading Final quiz on Friday, Dec 4, in class |
| 12/7 | AP4 due Dec 7 at 11am Final will be due Friday, December 11 at 10am |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.