Introduction to philosophy A
6 points * 3 hours per week * First semester * Clayton
Students take (i) `Reason and rationality', together with one of (ii) `Contemporary moral issues', (iii) `Science, religion and witchcraft', or (iv) `Crime and punishment'.
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(i) Reason and rationality
Robert Pargetter and others
Most intellectual activities and academic pursuits involve the evaluation of a range of theories, beliefs and positions. We offer and assess reasons and arguments for our various beliefs, and end by deciding on the rationality of those positions and theories. This part of the subject will be concerned with the use and assessment of arguments and reasoning, with associated features of the language used in making and expressing these appraisals, and with the nature of rationality itself.
Assessment
Four exercises: 5% each * Test: 30%
Prescribed text
Pargetter R Arguments (available from the department)
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(ii) Contemporary moral issues
Michael Smith (coordinator) and others
This subject aims to show how reasoning can clarify and help to resolve practical moral issues. Likely topics include: (a) Is abortion right or wrong? Does the answer depend on whether the foetus is a human being and has the right to life, or is the crucial issue whether the woman has a right to choose how her body is to be used? (b) Should seriously ill people be permitted to end their lives when they wish? (c) What is the moral status of animals? (d) Does the environmental crisis indicate that we need a new environmental ethic?
Assessment
Essay (1200 words): 25% * Examination: 25%
Prescribed texts
Singer P Practical ethics 2nd edn, CUP, 1993
Recommended reading
Glover J Causing death and saving lives Penguin
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(iii) Science, religion and witchcraft
Edward Khamara (coordinator) and John Bigelow
Horrendous numbers of people, mainly women, have been executed because some people were convinced that they had entered into contracts with the devil. This happened, not when and where churches were strongest, but when and where modern experimental sciences were progressing most rapidly. This should prompt us to re-examine our preconceptions about truth, knowledge, reality, rationality, faith and superstition. We will compare the reasoning of scientists, witchhunters and Christian creationists during the rise of modern science in Europe. This will motivate a re-examination of current orthodoxies in the theory of knowledge.
Assessment
Essay (1200 words): 25% * Examination: 25%
Prescribed texts
A collection of readings available from the department
Recommended reading
Chalmers A F What is this thing called science? UQP
Russell B The problems of philosophy OUP
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(iv) Crime and punishment
C L Ten
The subject examines different attempts to justify punishment and to fit punishment to the crime. Is the function of the criminal law to punish moral wickedness? Should punishment be replaced by some form of treatment? The topics to be discussed include capital punishment, mental illness and crime, Nazi war criminals, rape by mistake, and dangerous offenders.
Assessment
Essay (1200 words): 25% * Examination: 25%
Prescribed texts
A collection of readings available from the department