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PHILOSOPHY
PHILOSOPHY
WILLIAM HAGGERTY, Chairperson
FACULTY: Associate Professors: William Haggerty, Michael Latzer,
Thomas Upton, Assistant Professors: Gregor Fahy, Joseph Lafaro
Aims and Objectives:
Philosophy is the love and pursuit of true wisdom. It is one of the major
avenues for the student to attain the purpose of his entering a university, the
pursuit of intellectual excellence. An essential part of a person’s education
should be the serious and personal exploration of basic insights into the
person’s relation to other persons, to the world about us, and also to God on
whom we are dependent for our existence.
Man cannot be satisfied merely by knowing the “what” of
things happening around him. He wants to understand the “why” of the concrete
human situation. In philosophy, the students meet the great thinkers of the past
and present on these fundamental human conditions and learns to develop the
tremendous power to wonder, to philosophize on one’s own human condition.
Philosophy is studied for its own intrinsic value, the
pursuit of wisdom. Nevertheless, the study of philosophy can lead to successful
careers as well. It is very suitable preparation for a career in law,
journalism, government, politics, teaching, religion, counseling. Recently,
industries involved in the space program have sought people trained in the
history of ideas. Because philosophy trains the individual as an integrated
person, philosophers can adapt their skills and intelligence to many diversified
fields.
The students who are majoring in philosophy are obliged to
take a minimum of ten upper level course (30 credits). The following nine
courses are obligatory: (a) the entire history of philosophy cycle — PHIL 271:
Ancient Philosophy; PHIL 273: Medieval Philosophy; PHIL 280: Modern Philosophy;
PHIL 286: Contemporary Philosophy; (b) PHIL 210/212: Logic; (c) PHIL 231: Human
Nature; (d) PHIL 233: Philosophy of God; (e) PHIL 237: Ethics; (f) PHIL 400:
Honors Seminar. The tenth required course may be chosen with the advice of the
department among the other upper level philosophical courses. Those majoring in
philosophy are encouraged to take more than the minimum ten courses, especially
if they are intending to continue to work in philosophy in graduate school.
Those who are majoring in philosophy, of course, must take
the requirements of the Core of Discovery Program. Thus if they take LPHI 231,
233, 235, 237, 239, they are fulfilling what above was designated as the
required courses: PHIL 231, 233, 235, 237, and 239 respectively.
A major in philosophy at Gannon University is obliged to take
eight prescribed cognates (24 credits).
Students may have to take beginning and/or intermediate
language courses depending on their background. Students will also be
encouraged to take a course in a classical language.
Students who major in Philosophy will be encouraged to take a
classical language.
6 credits in an upper level Language course
LPHI 231: Invitation to Philosophy is a prerequisite for
LPHI 233, 235, 237, 239.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
PHIL 210: Logic
A practical study of the laws, principles and methods which lead man’s thinking to the accurate and secure attainment of truth.
3 credits, spring
PHIL 212: Contemporary Symbolic Logic
An introductory course in deductive reasoning using the methods of symbolic formal logic.
3 credits
PHIL 225: Philosophy of Communication
An analysis of the epistemological foundations underlying all forms of the communicative processes from individual gestures to the electronic world-wide media.
3 credits
PHIL 231: Invitation to Philosophy (also listed as LPHI 231)
An introduction to the terminology and methods of philosophy. Discussion of man from the view of various philosophies, both traditional and contemporary.
PHIL 231 or its alternative listing LPHI 231 is a prerequisite for LPHI 233, 235, 237, 239.
3 credits
PHIL 233: Philosophy of God (also listed as LPHI 233)
A philosophical study of the existence, nature and attributes of God.
3 credits
PHIL 235: Philosophy of Knowledge, Certitude and Truth (also listed as LPHI 235)
A study of the possibility and validity of human knowledge, together with the criteria of truth.
3 credits
PHIL 237: Philosophy of Ethical Responsibility (also listed as LPHI 237)
A survey and evaluation of basic issues in major ethical theories: Discussion is focused on such central points as the distinction between good and evil, conscience, duty and obligation, natural law, love, freedom and responsibility.
3 credits
PHIL 238: Business Ethics
Business dealings are subject to the same norms and criteria which govern other human activities. This course analyzes the ethical dimensions of business transactions and consumerism, addressing itself to such problems as profits, advertising, free enterprise, discrimination, trade secrets, union, and bribery.
Prerequisites: PHIL 231 and PHIL 237
3 credits
PHIL 239: Philosophy of Science (also listed as LPHI 239)
A brief historical survey of the various approaches to science. An analysis of the scientific method: description, explanation, model building and confirmation.
3 credits
PHIL 240: Philosophy of Education
A critical examination of the goals and methods of education, especially as they relate to ethics and politics. Readings will be drawn from historical philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, Rousseau and Dewey as well as contemporary philosophical analysis of educational institutions.
3 credits
History of Philosophy Cycle
Attention should be paid to the fact that the history of philosophy is expounded systematically in a four semester cycle with one of the histories of philosophy being offered in each semester.
PHIL 242: Philosophy & the Human Sciences
The primary aim of this course is to discuss the critical relationship(s) between philosophy & the human sciences. We have selected economics, political theory, psychology, & social theory & the thinkers who have addressed the issues/problems.
3 credits
PHIL 271: History of Ancient Philosophy
A critical presentation of the rise of Western Philosophy in Greece in the seventh century before Christ and its development in the fourth century; B.C. up to the third century of the Christian era.
3 credits
PHIL 273: History of Medieval Philosophy
A study of Augustine and the great synthesis of Thomas Aquinas, analyzed in the context of the philosophic-theological intellectual atmosphere of the thirteenth century. Non-Thomistic syntheses of Bacon, Bonaventure, and Duns Scotus are evaluated. Then the decline of scholasticism is studied with emphasis on Ockham, Suarez and the Electives.
3 credits
PHIL 280: History of Modern Philosophy
A critical presentation of philosophers and philosophical trends from the Italian Renaissance of the XV century to the end of the XIX century.
3 credits
PHIL 286: History of Contemporary Philosophy
An in depth study of the following philosophical developments in the 20th century. They are: Phenomenology, Existentialism, Linguistic Analysis, Positivism, and Process Philosophy. Authors studied will include: Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Carnap, Wittengenstein, Whitehead, Marcel, and Jaspers.
3 credits
PHIL 290: Philosophy & Law
A discussion of the philosophical foundations of law and an investigation into the scope of legal philosophy. Questions such as: what is law? what is a legal system in a society? do the criteria for the existence of law include a moral element? how shall legal obligations be understood? will be discussed. In addition, the relationship between law and morality, and the common good must be reviewed.
3 credits
PHIL 295: Oriental Philosophy
The philosophies of the East are attempts to answer ultimate questions about the universe & human life. The primary aim of the course is an exposition of the various schools/systems & their inherent disciplines i.e. metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, aesthetics, & social philosophy. We will also compare Eastern & Western thinking by way of tradition & contemporary thinkers.
3 credits
PHIL 305: Medieval Arabic Philosophy
A three-credit course introducing the student to the thought of medieval philosophers who wrote in Arabic or Persian, involving the reading of selected texts in translation, emphasizing the relationship of faith and reason, political philosophy, influence of Aristotle and neo-Platonism, and the effects on medieval thought in the Christian West.
3 credits
PHIL 345: Philosophy of History
Critical examination of the philosophers of history and their concern with the nature of history and the meaning of historical knowledge. Selected authors are Augustine, Vico, Kant, Hegel, Marx, Dilthey, Spengler, Freud, Jaspers, and Toynbee.
3 credits
PHIL 350: Introduction to Metaphysics
The nature of metaphysics as the study of being is examined in the philosophy of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas. The study of essence and existence, potency and act, substance and accident, matter and form, is developed systematically.
3 credits
PHIL 365: Modern Existentialism
Critical analysis of nineteenth and twentieth century thinkers. Concentration will be upon the following themes: The Individual, Dehumanization and Alienation, Authenticity and Inauthenticity, Communication and Structures. Authors studied will include: Kierkegaard, Sartre, Camus, Jaspers, and Marcel.
3 credits
PHIL 383: American Philosophy
An investigation of the contributions made by American thinkers to traditional philosophical problems and the interrelationship of American ideas and American life.
3 credits
PHIL 390-394: Special Topics in Philosophy
1-3 credits
PHIL 395-399: Independent Study in Philosophy
1-3 credits
PHIL 400: Honors Seminar in Philosophy
Each spring semester, a member of the philosophy department conducts a special seminar on an individual philosopher or philosophic trend or theme in depth, using primary sources and allowing time for deeper discussion and analysis that enhances an intellectual insight. The specific topics is announced prior to registration for the coming semester.
3 credits, Spring
PHILOSOPHY MINOR
Completion of the following courses (15 credits) will satisfy the requirement for a minor in Philosophy.
| 3 | Introduction to Philosophy/PHIL 231 |
| 3 | Philosophy of God, Knowledge, Ethics or Science/PHIL 233, 235, 237, or 239 |
| 3 | May be taken in any Philosophy courses 200 level or above |
| 15 | Credits |
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Philosophy Curriculum (128 credits)
| 1st Semester- Freshman | |
2nd Semester- Freshman |
| 3 | College Composition/LENG 111 |
| 3 | Hist of West & World/LHST 111 |
| 3 | Sacred Scriptures/LTHE 121 |
| 3 | Speech/SPCH 111 |
| 3 | Introduction to Psychology/PSYC 111 |
| 15 | Credits |
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| 3 | Critical Analysis & Comp/LENG 112 |
| 3 | Invitation to Philosophy/LPHI 231 |
| 3 | General Biology/BIOL 101 or Human Biology/BIOL 104 or Environmental Issues/BIOL 103 or Issues In Science and Tech/CHEM 166 |
| 3 | Elective |
| 3 | Elective |
| 15 | Credits |
|
| |
| 1st Semester- Sophomore | |
2nd Semester- Sophomore |
| 3 | Philosophy of God/LPHI 233 |
| 3 | Theology Series II/LTHE 223 |
| 3 | Psyc of Human Development/PSYC 222 |
| 3 | Advanced Composition/ENGL 211 |
| 6 | Elective |
| 18 | Credits |
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| 3 | Philosophy of Knowledge/LPHI 235 |
| 3 | Philosophy of Science/LPHI 239 |
| 2 | Literature Series/LENG 240 |
| 3 | Sociological Theory/SOCI 345 or Cultural Anthropology/SOCI 292 or Political Theory I/POLI 360 or Political Theory II/POLI 361 |
| 3 | Math |
| 15 | Credits |
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| 1st Semester- Junior | |
2nd Semester- Junior |
| 3 | Philosophy of Ethical Responsibility/LPHI 237 |
| 3 | Fine Art Series/LFIN 250/253 |
| 3 | Logic/PHIL 210 |
| 3 | Ancient Philosophy/PHIL 271 |
| 3 | Language/FREN 211 or GRMN 211 |
| 3 | Elective |
| 18 | Credits |
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| 3 | Medieval Philosophy/PHIL 273 |
| 3 | Modern Philosophy/PHIL 280 |
| 3 | Language/FREN 216 or GRMN 216 |
| 3 | Elective |
| 3 | Elective |
| 15 | Credits |
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| 1st Semester- Senior | |
2nd Semester- Senior |
| 3 | Senior Seminar/LBST 383 |
| 3 | Philosophy Elective |
| 3 | Elective |
| 3 | Elective |
| 2 | Elective |
| 3 | History of Contemporary Phil/PHIL |
| 17 | Credits |
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| 3 | Philosophy Honors Seminar/PHIL 400 |
| 3 | Elective |
| 2 | Elective |
| 3 | Elective |
| 3 | Elective |
| 15 | Credits |
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10 Upper Level Philosophy Courses 30 hrs.
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