PHIL V2593

Do NOT take this class. Especially if your TA is some guy named Borhane. Yes this class is only based on essays, but if it is on such a subjective topic, that leads way for the TA to say whatever he wants about it. If you don't agree with his viewpoints, he can pretty much just mark you down... and for a class that is based on such a subjective topic, that's what tends to happen.

Really horrible. Kitcher's rhetoric is good so at first it seems like it's going to be a good class. at some point you realize he said absolutely nothing substantial, and you just wasted an hour-fifteen of your life. obviously people seem to like him, there's a little cult around him, but I think the negative reviewers have a point. hate to say - but, nothing but bells & airs. not much more than a pompous Brit. I was bored.

Light reading 3 essays: two 3-5 pages; one 8-10 pages.

The review below is an perfect example of a resentful student who is unsatisfied with his/her grade and blames it all on the professor. The first essay was graded relatively harshly, however, if you did well on the second and the third, you would still get an A range grade even if you got a C plus for your first essay. Professor Kitcher and the TAs are all very patient and encouraging. They want you to do well - given that you make an effort - and take something out of this rather large lecture. This was my first philosophy class and I was very grateful of how much I learned about religion and the sophistication of its debate with science. The course is certainly not a belief-changing experience (and shouldn't be), but it definitely helps you appreciate both sides of the debate more and reexamine your own position. Professor Kitcher is a fantastic lecturer: you will also find out that he has the potential of becoming a great actor after listening to his reading of The Brothers Karamazov. In general this is a great and unique into to philosophy. Instead of "avoid[ing]" it, one should seek it out if one can. Before I end this review I would like to point out two fallacies in the previous review: 1) Professor Kitcher certainly did not say "humanity is developing on the right track, and we are becoming more 'moral' and "ethical' as history goes by." Ironically, this was the view h…

Avoid. Essays are graded harshly - class is famous for people withdrawing for a 'W' after seeing Kitcher and his TA's comments - unjustifiably harsh and mind-numbingly petty. Kitcher's mumblings are meaningless at best. Close to the end of class, he will give a lecture based stricly on editorials regarding his thoughts on Secular Humanism, according to which humanity is developing on the right track, and we are becoming more "moral" and "ethical" as history goes by. I thought that was a pretty dangerous thing to say to young students. He will not allow room for creativity in writing, stating a philosophical essay should be pragmatic. However, on one of the last lectures he will state that the prose philosophy of dostoevsky is the supreme form of philosophical writing. In any case - nothing changes the fact the class is quite boring, grading is harsh, and the man is a walking contradiction. Avoid at all cost.

Wonderfully light. Two 5 page papers on topics handed out in class, and both worth ~25% of your grade. A final 10 page paper worth 50% and on a topic of your choice.

Philip Kitcher is a remarkably thought provoking professor who is also totally approachable and dedicated to making one's undergraduate experience really rewarding. Kitcher's lectures were really put together, but he engaged actively in discussion whenever anyone had a question or wanted to accuse him of either being too religious or not religious enough. Kitcher did a really great job of outlining exactly where the course was headed and made sure to cover all the facets of religion: from Focus on the Family to Balinese Water Temples. Personally, I found the course to be really enlightening on all the different ways one can think about religion and how that conception works with or against science. I would, however, caution those who are ardent Dawkinsian Atheists or Bible Thumping Christians from signing up for this course with the hope that you will be able to wage war against the other side and get Kitcher to endorse you. That is, simply put, not what Kitcher wants you to get out of the course. The class is geared for those looking to get a bigger perspective on the nature of both science and religion not for those whom have already chosen a side. Kitcher wants you to think about the issue not just defend a position well. That said there were a great number of ardent Atheists and Catholics in the class and their dialogue was very interesting throughout the course so don't t…

" it, one should seek it out if one can.\r\n Before I end this review I would like to point out two fallacies in the previous review:\r\n 1) Professor Kitcher certainly did not say "humanity is developing on the right track, and we are becoming more \'moral\' and "ethical\' as history goes by." Ironically, this was the view he was trying to attack. Professor Kitcher\'s view on progress is very similar to that of Kuhn, which (generally speaking) states that progress doesn\'t mean leading *to* the truth but making something new *from* what is already there. It is in that sense that we are becoming more "moral" and "ethical". (I cannot guarantee that my wording is accurate, but the generally idea is not false.) Even if this were a "dangerous thing to say to young students", the students wouldn\'t have to accept that.\r\n 2) There is difference between a "philosophy essay" and a piece of "philosophical writing", which the previous review failed to identify. I don\'t want to waste time making the distinction...if you think they are the same...maybe that explains why you think the grading is harsh in the first place.', 'Avoid.\r\n\r\nEssays are graded harshly - class is famous for people withdrawing for a \'W\' after seeing Kitcher and his TA\'s comments - unjustifiably harsh and mind-numbingly petty.\r\n\r\nKitcher\'s mumblings are meaningless at best.\r\nClose to the end of class,…