WVC Philosophy 6

Philosophy of the Person

Catalog Description
This course explores modern and contemporary philosophical views on human nature and institutions. It is particularly concerned with philosophical questions arising as a result of modern movements such as Marxism, psychoanalysis, behaviorism, sociobiology, feminism, national liberation movements, environmentalism, the sexual revolution, and the "global village" phenomenon. Writings by mostly modern and contemporary philosophers on freedom, gender, the family, self-respect, work, spirituality, sexuality, love, commitment, and community will be examined. An interdisciplinary and multicultural approach will be used.

Prerequisite
Recommend eligibility for English 1A; recommend Philosophy 1 or Philosophy 3

Text
No department requirement. Works such as the following might be read and discussed (this list is not exhaustive):

• Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex
• Valentino Braitenberg, Vehicles
• Buddhist scriptures
• Daniel Dennett, Darwin's Dangerous Idea
• Daniel Dennett, "Where Am I?"
• Rene Descartes, derivation of the cogito and subsequent discussion of identity in Meditations I and II
• Barbara Ehrenreich, The Hearts of Men
• Friedrich Engels, The Origin of the Family, Private Property, and the State
• Frantz Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth
• Ann Ferguson, "Androgyny As an Ideal for Human Development"
• Shulamith Firestone, The Dialectic of Sex
• Sigmund Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents
• Sigmund Freud, "Femininity"
• Sigmund Freud, "Repression"
• Sigmind Freud, "The Unconscious"
• Carol Gilligan, In a Different Voice
• Goldberg, "The Inevitability of Patriarchy"
• Thomas Hill, "Servility and Self-Respect"
• Hindu Scriptures
• David Hume, section on personal identity from the Treatise
• Leiber, Can Animals and Machines Be Persons?
• Herbert Marcuse, Eros and Civilization
• Karl Marx, "Alienated Labor"
• Minsky, The Society of Mind
• Peirce, "The Fixation of Belief"
• John Perry, ed., A Dialog Concerning Personal Identity and Immortality
• Plato, selections
• Bertrand Russell, The Conquest of Happiness
• Bertrand Russell, "A Free Man's Worship"
• Bertrand Russell, Marriage and Morals
• Gilbert Ryle, The Concept of Mind
• Jean-Paul Sartre, The Transcendence of the Ego
• John Searle, selections
• Peter Singer, Animal Liberation
• Peter Singer, "Famine, Affluence, and Morality"
• B. F. Skinner, Beyond Freedom and Dignity
• B. F. Skinner, Walden Two
• Leslie Stevenson, Seven Theories of Human Nature
• Richard Taylor, Having Love Affairs
• Mary Ann Warren, "On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion"

Course Objectives

1. The student should be able to recognize and explicate the major views of philosophers on a variety of contemporary philosophical problems. The student should be able to relate these theories to the philosophical traditions of the past, where appropriate.

2. The student should be able to apply the moral and logical problem-solving techniques proposed by various philosophers to his own thinking about personal identity and the problems of life.

Course Content

I.	HUMAN NATURE  			3 weeks Standard Western philosophical views:     Plato, Aristotle, Christianity, Hobbes, Descartes, KantModern views: Nietzsche, Marx, feminism,     psychoanalysis, behaviorism, ethology,     sociobiology, existentialismIs there such a thing as "human nature"? Deconstructionism2.	PERSONAL IDENTITY:     Who do I know when I know myself?	1 week 3.	CONCEPTIONS OF THE SELF IN NON-WESTERN     PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION		3 weeksThe Hindu view of Brahman/AtmanChinese conceptions of human nature     (Confucius and Mencius vs HsŸn-Tzu) Problems associated with personal     identity and reincarnationBuddhist viewsAn African (Akan) view of the self4.	FREEDOM			2 weeksThe challenge of behaviorism, Freudianism,     ethology, and sociobiology5.	PERSONS AND ANIMALS	1 week"Human chauvinism" and environmentalism 6.	GENDER			1 weekTo what extent do gender distinctions inhibit     or foster the full development of     human potential?Do people develop most fully within     a framework of definite sex roles?Is androgyny the ideal?Why is it important to develop     human potential? 7.	MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY	1 week   The Marxist viewThe Freudian viewFeminist viewsThe rights of children8.	LOVE				1 weekNature, kinds of loveRomance - pernicious myth?Can a person love too much?9.	WORK, SELF-ACTUALIZATION, AND     OPPRESSION				1 weekWhat is oppression? Can a person be oppressed and not know it?Oppression and self-respectMarx's concept of alienated labor"Women's work" 10.	NEW MORAL OBLIGATIONS?		1 weekTraditional Western ethical theories do not    consider the moral situation of the modern    affluent person exposed by the media to    enormous human suffering in other parts    of the world. What are our moral obligations    towards persons in need in other    communities or countries?Singer's view and the controversy surrounding it11.	NEW SEXUAL ETHICS?		1 week    Traditional Western theories about sexual    ethics do not discuss modern phenomena    such as effective and widespread birth control,    overpopulation, and women's rights. Should    sexual ethics change as a result of these factors?Is abortion a major or even a minor wrong?What is responsible sexual behavior    in the context of a committed relationship?    (Russell, Taylor) 12.	NEW APPROACHES TO RELIGION?	1 week    In general, in an age of information overload,    how should we choose our beliefs? Is science the answer? (Peirce, James)Are organized religions essentially    oppressive institutions?Do people have "spiritual" needs? Does life    have a "spiritual" dimension? If these    questions have answers, what ought we to do?Alternative conceptions of the divine:    feminist, liberal Protestant, non-Western  

General Requirements
Completion of required reading and final exam. Other requirements are determined by instructor; these may include completion of one or more papers, other written exams, journal assignments, participation in class discussion, class attendance, etc.

EvaluationIn accordance with Title V regulations, there must be at least one substantial (greater than one paragraph) writing assignment. Generally, evaluation is based primarily on written papers and essay examinations.

Suggested Instructional Methods and Materials
Primarily lecture and discussion. This can be supplemented by films, videos, oral reports, guest speakers, class debates, etc., as deemed appropriate and desirable by the individual instructor. Readings should include primary source material. |||