PHL1020 Introduction to Philosophy B
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Handbook entry- a brief description of the subject can be found in the handbook entry. The handbook also provides information about the unit leader, the semester and mode in which the unit is available, the contact hours and the assessment requirements.
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MUSO/Blackboard - there is a MUSO/Blackboard site for this unit where assessment tasks, lecture notes and other unit resources will be posted. Once enrolled, students taking this unit are advised to check MUSO/Blackboard regularly.
Subject description:
PHL1020 consists of two distinct components, which may vary from year to year. The components offered will be drawn from the following list: (i) Time, Self and Freedom; (ii) God, Freedom and Evil; (iii) Greeks and the Good Life; (iv) Philosophy of Sex; and (v) Crime and Punishment.
In 2008, the components to be offered are:
Time, Self and Freedom
Lecturers: John Bigelow and Monima Chadha.
What
is this component about?
Time,
Self and Freedom provides an introduction to metaphysics.
It deals with questions about the nature of time, causation, human
freedom, personal identity and the nature of mind and consciousness.
We approach these issues in an unusual way, for each topic is introduced
by way of science fiction stories in which metaphysical issues are
explored. So the first topic takes off from a discussion of time
travel, and this quickly raises questions about what time must be
like if time travel is possible, and whether human freedom is compromised
by that possibility. Further
details about Time, Self and Freedom and Metaphysics are available here.
Philosophy of Sex
Lecturer: Karen Green.
What is this component
about?
Through this component, students
will gain an appreciation of the way in which sexuality and sexual
diference have been represented in the philosophical tradition. They
will become familiar with a range of arguments concerning sexual
morality: such as infidelity, prostitution, homosexuality, marriage
and porngraphy. Through familiarity with the arguments which have
been given both for and against various forms of sexual relationship
and behaviour, they will be given the tools for a more informed examination
of their own sexual life.