Introduction to Philosophy: Main Problems (PHIL 101 Section 002)

In this class we’ll look at three main problems in philosophy: the problem of skepticism, the existence of God, and the mind-body problem. In the first we’ll examine the nature of knowledge and some severe challenges to the idea that we have any knowledge. In the second we’ll look at three famous arguments that have been advanced to demonstrate God’s existence. We’ll also look at the so-called problem of evil, which attempts to show that, given the state of our world, no benevolent, omniscient, and omnipotent being could exist. Finally, we’ll look at the mind body problem and ask whether our minds are things distinct from our bodies. The approach in class will be largely, but not exclusively historical. While some of our readings will be contemporary pieces, most will be classics from the philosophical

Patrick Connolly’s webpage