There are many ways to conduct an introduction to philosophy of religion, ... The
readings for this course are all contained in a reader available in the Bookstore.
Introduction to Philosophy of Religion Course Syllabus Phil 192, Fall 2013
Basic Course Information Instructor:
Tony Roy
Office:
UH 401.43
Phone :
537-5870
E-mail:
[email protected]
Web:
http://philosophy.csusb.edu/~troy/
Logic Lab:
UH 047, see http://philosophy.csusb.edu/
Office hrs:
TR 12:00 – 1:50 and by appointment (or try me anytime I am in)
Meetings:
03: TR 8:00 – 9:50, UH 246 04: TR 10:00 – 11:50, UH 246
Brief Description This course is an introduction to philosophy by means of an introduction to philosophy of religion. There are many ways to conduct an introduction to philosophy of religion, and many ways to conduct an introduction to philosophy. Some courses are organized historically, others adopt a shotgun or survey approach. In this case, after some introductory material, the major portion of our quarter will be spent on a small set of issues from philosophy of religion. In particular, we will take up (i) the problem of evil – the question whether the existence of evil is reason to think there is no allpowerful, all-knowing, wholly good god; (ii) divine command ethics – and especially the question whether morality is somehow dependent on religion; (iii) the cosmological argument – the question whether the existence of the universe is itself sufficient to show that of a creator; and (iv) Pascal’s wager – an argument to the effect that, though it cannot be known to be true, religious belief makes sense as a sort of ‘fire insurance’. The idea is not to provide a comprehensive survey of topics in philosophy of religion, but rather seriously to introduce a few issues along with a philosophical mode of thinking and writing. This mode of thinking and writing will have application to a broad range of problems in philosophy of religion, in philosophy more generally, and beyond!
Course Expectations The only prerequisite is freshman composition (GE A.1), and so basic reading and writing skills. No religious, philosophical or critical reasoning background is assumed. The material is, however, intrinsically challenging. We will set up background, and proceed at a pace so that everyone who puts in the work can understand. This assumes a partnership: Your professor is obligated to be clear, to be responsive to questions, to provide helpful feedback on work, and so forth. You cannot expect to succeed without regular class attendance, participation, appearance at office hours, and especially faithful, on-time completion of assignments. We need also to respect one another by observing basic rules of course etiquette: Apart from special arrangements, arrive on time, do not leave early, or come and go during class. If you are in the room, be engaged in class activities (not surfing the web, playing with your phone, reading for other classes, or the like. Apart from special arrangement, phones should remain off or completely silenced (not on vibrate) during class; if one rings, do not answer; as this is difficult to remember, if your phone rings during class, the ‘penalty’ is to bring cookies for all at the next class meeting.
Text The readings for this course are all contained in a reader available in the Bookstore. This should be cost-effective for you – and your instructor does not profit from it in any way. If you have problems obtaining the first few readings, see is the instructor.
Grading Grades are based on in-class or special exercises (15%), a ‘debate’ project (15%), homework (20%), a short paper (25%), and a final examination (25%); there are also opportunities to obtain extra credit. Homework: The homework (20% of the grade) will be regularly assigned in class and due at the following class meeting. All homework is to by typed and turned in as hard copy. Approximately ten assignments will be collected randomly over the term and marked on a scale of 0 – 3 as follows: 3 for homework that is complete, crisp, clear and to the point. 2 for homework that is basically on track, though ‘wobbly’ in some respect. 1 for homework that makes progress toward the assignment, but goes offtrack in some serious way. 0 for homework that is not received, or so flawed that the assignment is not significantly addressed. Note that flaws of grammar or presentation may result in failure to address an assignment. There is no makeup for this component of the grade apart from compelling, continuing, and documented reasons. Thus the homework component of the grade samples regular effort and attendance. However: An average of 2 is sufficient for an overall homework score of 100%; so a score of 3 is a way to make up for low or missing homework scores, or if scores are otherwise strong, to obtain extra credit. Also the homework score is calculated by
dividing points earned by two less than points possible; the effect is to forgive one missing assignment, or if all assignments are worked, to treat one assignment as extra credit. Thus solid homework represents different ways to earn extra credit. Homework assignment schedules are linked at, http://philosophy.csusb.edu/~troy/courses.htm. Class exercises: We will often begin class with a quiz, group project or the like. Occasionally there will be in-class or special exercises beyond regular homework. These exercises also monitor on-time class attendance; thus, again, there is no makeup for missed exercises. However, like homework, such projects will typically be scored on a 0 – 3 scale with 2 sufficient for full credit; and the final score is calculated by dividing points earned by two less than the points possible. Together, such projects count for 15% of the grade. Debate project: The debate project divides into two stages. The topic is Pascal’s wager. (i) In association with A0, you have a chance to think about the argument and take an initial position. A0 is graded as a regular homework assignment, except that it may be resubmitted for an improved score. You should attain a minimum score of 2. Around the middle of the quarter, (ii) final versions will be returned with a contrasting student paper (anonymously) attached. Your task is then to evaluate the argument of the attached paper, and defend your initial position as best you can. The 15% project grade is based on the combination of your two papers. Details are linked under our course at http://philosophy.csusb.edu/~troy/courses.htm. Paper: Topics for the short paper will be assigned after the second main portion of the course. The paper is, in effect a written take-home midterm. The assignment does not ask for original research, but rather covers topics from lecture and reading. The paper is about 3 pages in length, and is worth 25% of the total grade. For a paper that is turned in on time, there is the opportunity to rewrite. Rewrites are to be turned in with the graded version attached. A paper turned in after the due date for the first version but prior to the due date for the second will be treated as an on-time second submission. Late papers will be accepted up to the last day of instruction with a 5% deduction, and up to the final exam with a 10% deduction. Nothing will be accepted after the final exam. Exceptions require some exceptional excuse (not “I have a lot to do”) and consent of the instructor. Final: The final is a take-home examination worth 25% of the grade. It will require some essay(s) based on material from the last parts of the course. You may expect the exam to be distributed on the last day of instruction, and to be due at the regularly scheduled final exam period for section 4 (Th 12/5). Extra credit: In addition to the opportunity to earn extra credit with strong homework, there will sometimes be extra problems associated with homework. Such problems will receive a score between 0 and 3 as for homework. A student who gets full credit for all such problems will increase his or her total grade by 5% (no such problems can count against the total grade). Notes: All grades are recorded numerically. In general, 90% or over is an ‘A’, 80% or over is a ‘B’, etc. Your instructor reserves the right to lower this scale in calculation of final grades (as 89% or over an ‘A’ etc.); ordinarily this does not happen.
You are encouraged to discuss anything, especially homework and reading with other students, the instructor, and/or assistants in the Logic Lab or Writing Center (see http://www-ugs.csusb.edu/wc/). With this said, all written work is to be your own. Academic honesty is always essential, and particularly so in the give-and-take of philosophy, where the project is to work through and clarify your own views. Plagiarism will result in an automatic F for an assignment, and up to an F for the course along with standard University discipline. Because the issue is so important, be sure you know what plagiarism is! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to talk things over with me. See also the very nice discussion, “What is Plagiarism” from my website http://philosophy.csusb.edu/~troy/courses.htm and also p. 54 of the CSUSB Bulletin http://catalog.csusb.edu/documents/2012-2014.pdf#page=54.
Order of Instruction I.
Introductory Matters
II.
The problem of evil
–
paper assigned
III.
Divine command ethics
IV.
The cosmological argument
–
final exam
Note: The Pascal project sets up an independent topic parallel to the others. Readings for each section follow the table of contents in the readings packet. Observe: there are not many pages to read. But you will find the reading very difficult. It will be important not to be discouraged, but to read each section until it is thoroughly understood. This is likely to require many times through each section, both before and after class discussion.
The payoff Some, perhaps just a few, will be totally gripped by problems of the sort we will consider in this course – and think there is nothing more important one could ever think about or do. Others may struggle with the abstract and seemingly impractical nature of questions we shall address. I do hope that topics will appear as incredibly interesting, relevant and valuable for their own sake. They are chosen with this in mind! It is, of course, part of a basic education to have some exposure to the sort of things about which philosophers think. But in addition, philosophy requires an analytic approach to reasoning, reading and writing unique among academic disciplines. Perhaps because philosophical problems are abstract and hard, philosophers have had to give careful attention to the way they think about them. This mode of thinking transfers to problems beyond those we shall think about, and beyond philosophy altogether. Thus with its emphasis on clear thinking, students of philosophy turn up in
useful careers including law, journalism, politics, business, teaching, and the like. If you struggle with the abstract nature of the problems we address, hang in there in faith that the exercise of working through them is a good thing – whether you think about these problems or ones like them ever again, the mental discipline of working through them is one that will serve you well. And if you are gripped by the problems, consider that this is not a bad thing – you do not throw your life away when you study philosophy, and even if you become a major – see http://philosophy.csusb.edu/.
The details There are no adds after the census date. See detailed policies for adds and drops beginning on p. 48 of the CSUSB Bulletin http://catalog.csusb.edu/documents/20122014.pdf#page=48. If you are in need of accommodation for a disability in order to participate in this class, please contact Services to Students with Disabilities at UH 183 (909) 537-5238. Individuals with disabilities should prepare for an emergency ahead of time by instructing a classmate and the instructor. If you require assistance in the event of an emergency, you are advised to establish a buddy system with a buddy and alternate buddy in the class. Everyone should receive messages from their CSUSB e-mail. It CSUSB is not your regular address, you can set it to forward messages to your regular address.
