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=Richard Leon Linfield's Philosophy 101 at Crafton Hills College= = Instructor: Richard Leon Linfield, Ph.D., D.D. = = llinfiel@craftonhills.edu; voicemail (909) 307-8740 =

Textbook for Spring 2015: Moore and Bruder, Philosophy: The Power of Ideas, 9th edition ONLY McGraw-Hill, ISBN 9780078038358 New, approx $140 Must have for assignment due at second class meeting Rent hard copy from Amazon; recently it was $41 for the term (select free trial “Amazon Student” program for free 2-day shipping) Digital Rental from Coursesmart.com 120 days $78.30 Note: one copy of the text is on my reserve shelf on the library, available for one-hour reading; ask at the main desk.

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It gives you ways to set yourself apart from the mainstream when you have the intuition that society is going in the wrong direction.
= Philosophy can also show you how to work with that mainstream in ways that make a difference and don’t cost you your soul. = = Most importantly, it can show you both the limits and the possibilities of the human mind, and it can prepare you to enter your personal spirituality and act upon it. =

Philosophy can be used to enhance one's academic progress as well as one's career and social skills. It can provide wisdom for making life decisions.
= = =Consider this a "Core Course."=

Please explore each tab on this website to get an overview of what's here.
====**Missed classes:** If you miss a meeting, please do not ask the instructor questions that would have been answered had you been in class. First check this website, then if the answer is not here, ask other students who attended, and if that doesn't work, ask the instructor. You can find the answers to factual questions in the textbook or this website====

at the beginning of class, written on a 4x6 index card – keep the student current on particular items treated in the course. Fivers are mini-tests, but; sometimes they ask for an opinion. In addition they are a roll-taking device, so students arriving after the **Fiver** should turn in their names on a blank 4x6 card to avoid being counted absent.
 * On “Fivers” and Other Short Assignments**: Short assignments such as the Fiver – a five-minute exercise

When a Fiver is on a factual issue, say from the readings, and not on your personal opinion, you are expected to get the answer right. If it is incorrect, or __if not turned in,__ __it takes 3 1/2 points from your grade__.That means three missed Fivers lower your grade by one level. Remember, though, that you can miss three Fivers without penalty.

Fivers are usually not returned except when they are incomplete and require further attention. When a Fiver is on an opinion topic and I do not return it, I try to cover the subject in my lecture/discussion, or on the Quotes & Notes page on the website.

=Looking for Help?=
 * ===**Philosophy Tutors at the Tutoring Center** by appointment: see main desk in Learning Center or call (909) 389-3453   .===
 * ===If you ever find yourself making low scores or having a hard time grasping some of the concepts - get help from the tutors!===

=__Positive Personal Outcomes for You:__= =Understanding philosophy can help you understand everything in your life better—your studies, your relationships, your likes and dislikes, your joys and struggles.= =Philosophy is the open door to discovering what the meaning of one’s life may be.= =If you believe you already know – please look again.= =PHILOSOPHY shows you how to set yourself apart from the mainstream when you feel that society is going in the wrong direction.= =Philosophy can also show you how to work with that mainstream in ways that make a difference and don’t cost you your soul.= =Most importantly, it can show you both the limits and the possibilities of the human mind, and it can prepare you to enter your personal spirituality and act upon it.=

**Through the exercises for the Portfolio and the Term Project, you'll have the opportunity to develop a personal philosophy that incorporates knowledge of the great philosophers of the past -- a personal positive outcome you can use in real life.**

=__My philosophy of teaching__= =I understand this material can be difficult= =My effort is to explain it clearly with examples= =and to show how it is practical and useful= =and to be open to questions and discussion= =and help you find these __two takeaways__ for each philosopher:= =1. Better understanding of the world= =2. Better understanding of yourself=

=__How to Make a Good Grade:__= =Be here with the reading done= =Be ready for quizzes on the reading= =Be on time: the “Fiver” happens in the first 5 minutes of class & can’t be made up= =Follow the study outlines for the tests and exams= =Start your term project early=

=__Your Term Project__= =You’ll explore the issue that you choose in your term project (1000 word paper with citations) by quoting FOUR of the philosophers covered and coming to your own conclusion.= =See the Term Project tab.=

=__What is a philosopher?__= =A philosopher is a person who seeks wisdom above all.= =Philosophers have often been heroic people who have risked their lives by truth-telling.= =A philosopher looks for the truth about many things:= =What is morally right and wrong?= =What should we regard as facts?= =What is the nature of art and beauty?= =How should we reason and argue?= =What is the purpose and nature of human life and existence itself?=

=Philosophers search all of reality to answer the biggest questions.= =Philosophers have been the inspiration for:= =scientists= =artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers= =business people= =healers= =lawmakers= =innovators who make change and progress.=

=__Fields of Philosophy__= =Philosophy has five traditional divisions.= =Ethics: what is morality?= =Epistemology: what is the nature of knowledge and the learning process?= =Aesthetics: what are art and beauty?= =Logic: what is reason? How can it be applied to practical and theoretical issues?= =Metaphysics (also called Ontology): what is being?= =These divisions have traditionally included all human knowledge.= =They can give an overview for all that is known on any subject.=

=__For Your Term Project:__= =Before you hand in your topic and sources,= =you’ll have to pick your four philosophers.= =That means you should read ahead= =to see which ones are most interesting to you,= =and which ones comment on the problem you’ve chosen.= =See the Philosopher Overviews tab on the website.=