Students develop an elegant means of representing arguments in symbolic notation, providing a powerful method for recognizing logical fallacies and for the construction of arguments and proofs. In addition to sharpening critical skills, the course considers the philosophical implications and practical applications of this field. PHIL 209 Sec. Kevin Scharp Existentialism is a philosophical movement that confronted the basic erosion of traditional belief systems and the global violence brewing in the 19th century, exploding in the 20th century, by probing and examining the human experience itself. While some hoped to provide a new foundation to art or politics, others investigated the nature of existence and meaning in action and inaction, living and dying.
Opponents assert that such claims are pseudo-scientific nonsense.
Sociobiology is the study of the biological and evolutionary basis of animal behavior. In some cases, such explanations are rebutted as overly reductionistic. Attention will be paid to these questions with reference to the historical relationship between religion and science. Readings from Michael Behe, Richard Dawkins, William Dembski, Daniel Dennett, Phillip Johnson, Roger Pennock, etc. This class examines representative theories of human conduct and character, dealing with such issues as the nature of morality, goodness and virtue, duty and happiness, freedom and free will, and moral responsibility.