Analytic Philosophy
Course Syllabus
PH 222 Analytic Philosophy 1900-1950
Teacher: Prof Gary Jason
Office: AH4142 Hours: MWF 11:00-noon and by appointment
Phone: 888-213-8183 email: gary@profgaryjason.com
Texts:
- Bertrand Russell Logic and Knowledge
2. Alfred Jules Ayer Language, Truth and Logic
3. Ludwig Wittgenstein Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus
4. Ludwig Wittgenstein Philosophical Investigations
5. G. E. Moore essays
Course Description: This course introduces the student to the key philosophers and main issues in Analytic Philosophy in the first half of the 20th Century.
Learning Goals: Class lecture and discussion will focus on seminal works by a small group of thinkers-Russell, Ayer, Moore, and Wittgenstein. However, lectures will also survey movements within analytic philosophy (such as logical positivism), and cover a number of other philosophers (such as Carnap and Popper).
Assessment Procedures: Students are required to read all required works, and be diligent in attendance (no more than six absences allowed). Additionally, there will be a midterm and final exam, both essay format, and a term paper. The student’s term paper topic will be chosen with my approval. The paper will be 8-15 pages, double-spaced. Approximate weighting:
Midterm = 30%
Final exam = 30%
Term paper = 40%
**GRADES WLL BE POSTED ON MY WEBSITE www.profgaryjason.com
Policy on Cheating: Any student who cheats at any time in my class will receive an “F” for the entire course, and I will turn the matter over to the Chairperson of the Department for whatever further action is required by the University. For further explanation, visit my website.
Lecture flow:
Topic 1: Philosophic movements in the first half of the 20th Century
Topic 2: What is analytic philosophy?
Topic 3: A brief survey of deductive logic
Topic 4: G. E. Moore
Topic 5: Frege
Topic 6: Russell: background and bio
Topic 7: Russell’s Logical Atomism
Topic 8: Wittgenstein I: The Tractatus
Topic 9: Ayer and Logical Positivism
Topic 10: Wittgenstein II: The Investigations