Introduction to Philosophy and Skill-Based Questions

Grading Principles and Evaluation

  • Students begin at 0 points; past academic records or GPAs do not determine current evaluation.
  • Midterm errors are typically errors of omission rather than direct errors of falsehood.
  • A good answer provides part of the truth, but the best answer provides the complete truth.
  • Facts represent events under description and change as circumstances change.
  • Achieving an A grade requires earning 358 points starting from 0.
  • Course evaluation consists of 10 total quizzes (2 dropped, 8 counted for 200 points total) and exams worth up to 200 points.
  • Extra credit can be earned by participating in college intellectual events and lectures.

Core Philosophical Questions

  • What is philosophy? Interrogating the nature and practical value of the work being done for life.
  • What is a human being? Understanding mortal, thinking creatures existing unavoidably in time.
  • What is honor?

Questions of Technique

  • What does it say? Observing facts, data, and immediate details without relying on unsupported opinion.
  • What does it mean? Interpreting the significance of information, such as economic trends involving AI companies, ChatGPT, McDonald's kiosks, or legal interpretations of the First Amendment and Roth IRA rules.
  • What does it matter? Determining the practical consequences, financial impacts on retirement, or life-and-death relevance of the interpreted information.

Questions & Discussion

  • Question: What is a good answer to where the speaker went to school?
    • Response: Mercer or Emory are good answers, Mercer and Emory is a better answer, and OldSchool (or "Also, also") is the best answer.
  • Question: How many dollars/points are needed to get an A in the class?
    • Response: 358 points are required.
  • Question: How many quizzes are taken and dropped in the course?
    • Response: 10 quizzes are given, 2 are dropped, and the 8 remaining quizzes add up to 200 points.