Self introduction
(and check "initial class list").
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Each students gives name, year, major, one sentence about
self - e.g., why in this course.
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Distribute student info sheets
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Distribute syllabus, with calendar and assignment sheets.
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Review assignments. [We will come back to look at the calendar
and what it signifies]
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Concerning the periodical assignments: compare to review
of background section of professional articles
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Concerning the Research paper: look at the bibliography
[paper on films also possible, with good reviews.]
Begin selection of texts for paper: do it within a week?
Select
precise 1.5 hours now?
Outline of Course: look at the calendar.
Five sections: intro, religion, philosophy, social sciences,
paper presentations (+wrapup)
Different faculty at times. [N.b., this means varied
pedagogy and basic approaches. I take a 'rationalist' approach - inquire
after causes to explain. Others may not.]
Section I. Introduction. Building up images to
refer to later in the course.
In class read 2 pp from Stephen Pinker, How the
Mind Works [explain vs. free?]
For next class read: "Intro to course on the Nature of
Human Freedom,"
"Always Time to Kill," and "Prisoner's Dilemma."
Question relevant to these readings:
What is inner freedom or free will; do we really possess
it?
Initial discussion of this in class now.
Specific questions to guide the reading:
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Do you buy the explanation of, roughly, Socrates and Aquinas
that the problem is just getting us to see clearly what is truly good or
bad. If we did see clearly, would we then do only good?
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Are our moral sentiments just a veneer over an innate callousness
that allows us to kill viciously?
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Would people generally behave well if there were no harsh
social realities or institutions?
Preparation for class next Thursday by Xavier Monasterio:
Read the one-page excerpt from Victor Frankl and the
four-pages from Jean Paul Sartre.
The claim these readings make will be obvious: we do
have freedom of choice.
Dr. Monasterio will discuss these and other sources in
his presentation.
For later classes: Choose a film -- Pixote, or
Strawberries and Chocolate.
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