PHIL 1200 A02 Notes Syl

Course Information

• Course: PHIL 1200 A02 - Introduction to Philosophy
• Term: Fall term 2025; Winter term 2026 (as indicated by content for Fall and Winter topics)
• Time: MWF, 1:30 pm to 2:20 pm
• Location: 237 University College
• Instructor: Carl Matheson
• Email: Carl.Matheson@umanitoba.ca
• Office: 459 University College
• Office hours: Monday and Wednesday and by appointment
• Text: Elliott Sober, Core Questions in Philosophy, 8th Edition, available from the bookstore in both print and digital formats: https://bookstore.umanitoba.ca/Course Materials?ids=8778077&search=core%20questions
• Readings: Other readings will be made available on our UM Learn page.
• Important link: Bookstore materials link provided above.

Course Book and Readings Overview

• Primary textbook: Core Questions in Philosophy, 8th Edition by Elliott Sober
• Additional readings: Provided through UM Learn page
• Purpose of readings: To supplement in-class discussions and the topics listed for Fall and Winter terms

Content Overview

• The course examines several topics in detail across terms:
  • Fall Term topics:
  • God
    • What makes something God, or a god?
    • Can we prove that God exists?
    • Can we prove that God doesn't exist?
  • Morality
    • What is morally good?
    • What is the right thing to do?
    • How to apply general discussion to specific moral problems
    • Examples given:
    • How much should one give to the poor?
    • Under what conditions (none, all, or some) is abortion morally permissible?
  • Winter Term topics:
  • Theories of knowledge
  • The nature of free will
  • Personal identity
  • Philosophy of art (perhaps)
  • Core knowledge questions to consider:
    • What is it to know that a claim is true?
    • Do we really know, for instance, that a material world exists?
  • Free will questions:
    • What is it for an action to be free?
    • Are any actions free if they could be predicted based on the laws of nature and the state of the universe at a given time millions of years ago?

Key Questions and Concepts

• God-related questions:
  • What does it mean for something to be a god?
  • What counts as proof of existence or non-existence of God?
• Morality-related questions:
  • What constitutes morally good conduct?
  • What counts as the right thing to do in various situations?
  • Application of moral theory to concrete problems (e.g., charitable giving, abortion permissibility conditions)
• Epistemology-related questions:
  • What does it mean to know that a claim is true?
  • Do we have knowledge of external reality (e.g., a material world)?
• Metaphysical/Determinism-related questions:
  • What makes an action free?
  • Could an action be considered free if it is predictable from universal laws and the state of the universe long before?
• Personal identity:
  • What makes the person in the classroom today the same person as the professor two days from now?
• Philosophy of mind, emotion and fiction:
  • Can we have genuine emotional reactions to fictional events and characters that are not real in an important sense?

Course Goals and Skills

• Course goals: Balance of lecture and discussion; emphasis on active participation and quality of discussion.
• Expected student work: Active and sympathetic listening; asking clarifying questions when statements seem unclear; strive to restate statements and the arguments behind them; evaluate arguments within the broader topic (e.g., proofs or disproofs concerning God’s existence).
• Skill development: Ability to restate and analyze arguments; improve through practice across topics; transferable to other courses and daily life.
• Focus on dialogue: Emphasis on question marks over periods in initial discussion to promote inquiry and understanding.

Academic Integrity

• In-class tests: Do not use external materials (e.g., class notes).
• Do not copy others’ tests.
• If you have concerns, discuss them with the instructor before the test.
• For more information on academic integrity, consult the University of Manitoba resources linked by the course; discuss any concerns with the instructor.

Grading and Assessments

• Grading structure: Five closed-book in-class tests, each worth 20% of the final grade.
• Test schedule: Two tests during the first term and three tests during the second term.
• Final day testing: The second test and the fifth test will occur on the final day of their respective terms.
• Final exam: There is no final exam during the exam period for this course.
• Note: The syllabus mentions a plan to discuss test-preparation strategies; active preparation is encouraged.

Grade Conversion (Grade Scale)

• A+: $90 ext{ and above}$
• A: $80-89$
• B+: $75-79$
• B: $70-74$
• C+: $65-69$
• C: $55-64$
• D: $50-54$
• F: $< 50$

Course Logistics and Administrative Details

• Important date: Add/drop information is provided via the UM Manitoba portal (link included on syllabus).
• Class discussions and participation are central to the learning process and course experience.
• The instructor emphasizes real-world relevance and practical application of philosophical concepts.

Summary of Key Points to Remember

• Course title and code: PHIL 1200 A02 – Introduction to Philosophy
• Textbook: Core Questions in Philosophy, 8th Edition by Elliott Sober; additional readings on UM Learn
• Fall Term focus: God and Morality; key questions about existence, proof, and moral frameworks
• Winter Term focus: Knowledge, Free Will, Personal Identity, Philosophy of Art; core epistemology and metaphysical questions
• Knowledge questions to consider: What does it mean to know something? Do we really know that the external world exists?
• Free will questions: What makes an action free? Can free actions exist if determined by prior states of the universe?
• Personal identity question: What makes the same person over time?
• Emotions and fiction: Are emotionally meaningful reactions to fiction legitimate?
• Assessment: Five 20% tests (100% total across terms); no final exam; two tests in Fall, three in Winter; tests are closed-book
• Academic integrity: No external materials during tests; address concerns with the instructor; consult university guidelines

References and Resources

• Course materials: https://bookstore.umanitoba.ca/Course Materials?ids=8778077&search=core%20questions
• UM Learn page for additional readings
• University of Manitoba academic integrity resources (link provided by the university)