PHIL 105 - Philosophical Questions

Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
1 unit(s)

Topic for 2023/24a: Mind and World. Is the world just someone’s dream? Or is it something that exists independently of human or divine minds, or that contains no non-material stuff at all? Perhaps it is something in between. These wildly opposite ideas have been espoused in many parts of the world in both ancient times and our own. People have also at different times thought that there are incorporeal spirits, magic, action at a distance due to a universal synchrony, and other phenomena. But how do we find out where minds end and the world begins – when we need to know the limits of our mind to be able to answer the question in the first place? In this course we explore this topic at an introductory level from a globally minded reading list, with a focus on class discussion and short writing exercises. Sofia Ortiz-Hinojosa.

Topic for 2023/24a and b. Infinity and Paradox. What is the infinite? Are time and space infinite? Does God exist? Is God, in some sense, infinite? Is the human mind finite? What does the (in)finitude of human existence entail about meaning in life? Can an infinite number of tasks be performed in a finite amount of time? This course examines the philosophy of the infinite and the paradoxes surrounding it. We draw from perspectives in philosophy, mathematics, science, and the arts. Paul Tran-Hoang.

Two 75-minute periods.

Course Format: CLS