Welcome to Introduction to Philosophy!

This course has three primary goals.

The first is to immerse you in philosophy by closely investigating a small number of philosophical questions. We will consider a range of possible answers to each question—and see in some detail how each of these answers can be defended and criticized.

The second goal is to present a range of techniques and methods that help one to do philosophy well. These will have useful applications even outside the subject of philosophy.

The third goal is to explore the terrain between the two extremes of philosophical egalitarianism (All philosophical positions are of equal merit) and philosophical dogmatism (My view is the only one worth considering).

We hope that you will find the course enjoyable and worthwhile.