Daniel Bonevac, Worldly Wisdom (Mountain View: Mayfield, 2001).

There are two paths to a grade in this course. The path of reflection emphasizes the homework writing assignments, though exams are also important. The path of examination emphasizes the exams, though the homework remains important. We will figure your grade according to both paths and assign you the higher grade.

	Path of Reflection	Path of Examination
Exam 1	15%	25%
Exam 2	15%	25%
Final Exam	15%	25%
Homework	55%	25%

The midterm exams will consist of 55 multiple-choice questions Roughly half will be quotations; you will have to identify the authors.

The final exam will consist of a mandatory part, that everyone will have to take, and an optional part, that can replace your first two exam scores if that will help your grade. Both parts will be similar in form to the midterm exams: 55 multiple choice questions, about half of which will be quotations.

Your homework grade will be based on three papers (max. 1500 words) on topics to be assigned, due on September 22, October 20, and December 1.

September 22: From a Confucian perspective, critique Plato's conception of the soul in the Republic. In particular, (a) define weakness of will, (b) discuss Plato's conception of it, (c) evaluate Plato's argument for the existence of three parts of the soul, and (d) evaluate the resulting conception of virtue.

October 20: Is the externalist in a better position than the internalist to respond to skeptical arguments? Why or why not?

December 1: How might an idealist reply to the missing explanation argument? Do you think the reply succeeds?