Contemporary Philosophy

Fall 2002 PHH 4600

Professor Charles Guignon

Office: FAO 213; Phone: 974-9839

Office Hours: Mon & Wed., 11:00AM-12:00, & by appointment

Email: guignon@chuma1.cas.usf.edu

Course Objectives:

In recent years, a loosely knit group of English-speaking philosophers have focused their attention on a set of topics that stand outside the traditional issues discussed by mainstream philosophers. These topics include questions about personal identity, moral psychology, the nature of the self, motivation, personal integrity, the meaningfulness of life, authenticity, self-realization, and other issues pertaining to life and its possibilities of fulfillment. The seminal figures in this new approach to philosophy are Harry Frankfurt, Richard Rorty, Alasdair MacIntyre, and Charles Taylor. Other influential figures are Bernard Williams, Martha Nussbaum, Susan Wolf, Owen Flanagan, Thomas Nagel, and Gary Watson.

Our aim in this course is to get a grasp on the core ideas that have emerged out of this new direction in Anglo-American philosophy. We will read key works by the pivotal figures and then, if time permits, explore more recent developments. There are two basic goals for this course: (1) to gain a deep understanding of the methods and insights of the philosophers we are reading; and (2) to learn to use those methods and insights in order to critically assess competing views, and formulate our own views about crucial questions concerning the good life.

Texts: Charles Taylor, Sources of the Self (required paperback)

Alasdair MacIntyre, After Virtue, 2^nd edition (required paperback)

Michael Walzer, Interpretation and Social Criticism (required paperback)

Harry Frankfurt, The Importance of What We Care About (recommended)

Charles Taylor, Human Agency and Language (recommended)

Copies of additional texts will be made available during the semester

Tentative Reading Schedule:

Aug 26 Introduction

Aug. 28 Taylor, Sources, pp. 3-24

Sept. 4 Taylor, Sources, pp. 25-52

Sept. 9 Taylor, Sources, pp. 53-107

Sept. 11 Taylor, Sources, pp. 111-142

Sept. 16 Taylor, Sources, pp. 321-390

Sept. 18 Frankfurt reading

Sept. 23-25 Taylor, Human Agency and Language, chapter 2

Oct. 2 Taylor, Human Agency and Language, chapter 4

First reflection due

Oct. 7 MacIntyre, After Virtue, chapters 1 and 2

Oct. 9 MacIntyre, After Virtue, chapters 3 and 4

Oct. 14 MacIntyre, After Virtue, chapters 5 and 6

Oct. 16 MacIntyre, After Virtue, chapters 9-12

Oct. 21 MacIntyre, After Virtue, chapters 14-16, 18-19

Oct. 23-30 Rorty reading

Second reflection due

Nov. 4-6 Bernard Williams readings

Nov. 11-13 Walzer, Interpretation and Social Criticism, chapter 1

Nov. 18-20 Walzer, Interpretation and Social Criticism, chapters 2 and 3

Nov 25-Dec. 2 Thomas Nagel reading

Dec. 4 Conclusions

Final Exam

Course Plan:

I will begin each class by introducing the topics and readings for that day and offering an interpretation of the works being discussed. Students should join in the discussion at any time, asking questions, making suggestions, or making comparisons between the texts we are reading and other texts or events in actual life.

Our method in class will be to look very closely at particular textual passages to see what they mean, so be sure to do the assigned readings in advance and bring the book currently being discussed to class with you. A significant part of your grade will depend on how well you are following the class presentations and how well prepared you are for class. Regular attendance and paying attention in class are extremely important. Exams and papers will be based primarily on lectures and class discussions on the readings.

Requirements:

Attend class regularly. Read the assigned texts before class and be prepared to ask questions and discuss the readings. Bring the book with you to class.

Two short (about 3-4 page) reflection papers will be due during the semester. Suggested topics will be handed out in advance, but you are encouraged to make up a topic on your own. If you decide to write on a topic not listed on the assignment sheet, clear it with me in advance. In the reflections, you will (1) present the ideas of one or more of the philosophers we have read on some topic we have discussed in class, and (2) present your own views and criticisms on that topic. In grading the reflections, I will be looking for a grasp of the basic ideas in the texts and class discussions, effective writing (clarity, depth, originality, organization, and so forth), and insight into the themes being discussed in the class. Since the ideas in this course are supposed to have concrete application to life, you should try to back up your claims with examples from your own life or from contemporary culture.

For the final exam, you may either (a) take a two hour in-class essay-type exam, or (b) do a take-home exam consisting of essays which will be due at the time and place of the final exam. The exam will be comprehensive, though there will be a special emphasis on the material we discussed after the second reflection.

Grading: Reflections 50%

Final Exam 35%

Class participation 15%

Students who will miss class due to religious observance should inform me in advance. Arrangements should be made to make up missed work.

Students who are absent more than three days during the semester should present evidence of a medical excuse.

Papers turned in after the due date will be penalized one increment of a grade (a “+” or “-“) for each class day the paper is late.