COURSE DESCRIPTION

Philosophical naturalism is the thesis that the entirety of the universe is composed of natural things or processes, and philosophers including Aristotle, Hume, Hegel, Nietzsche, Foucault, Mackie, and Fodor subscribe, in some sense, to it. This elusive commitment has been variously interpreted to mean that everything in the universe is physical or material, or that everything is amenable to scientific investigation, or that nothing is supernatural, or that nothing is known a priori, or that everything is natural in some broader sense of that word. Thus, the thesis is sometimes metaphysical, sometimes epistemological, and sometimes methodological. Indeed, depending on its guise, philosophical naturalism has sometimes seemed a bland and uncontroversial truism, while in others it has seemed a daring, provocative, and, to some, manifestly false view. In this seminar, we will aim to come to grips with philosophical naturalism. Our first project will be to understand different kinds of naturalism, and our second will be to assess whether there is any reason to believe of any of those kinds that it is true. We will attend especially closely to historical and contemporary naturalism in ethics, epistemology, language, and mind.

REQUIRED READINGS

Required readings are in electronic form and can be accessed in two ways. First, you will find links below in the schedule of assignments to PDF files. In some cases the links require you to be on a campus computer. Second, all of the readings will be placed on Blackboard.

I will assume that each of you has reliable and convenient internet access. If this is not the case, please see me for printouts of the electronic texts.

GRADING

1. Participation

Discussion is essential to the vitality of the seminar. Thoughtful participation in discussion is also one indicator that you are reading carefully. Thus, the instructor reserves the privilege of treating participation as constituting up to 10% of the final grade.


2. Attendance at Seminar Colloquia, tba

We will have several distinguished guests visit campus this semester to discuss their work on naturalism and to participate in our reflections on the themes of the class meeting. Our guests have also been invited to give an evening lecture on their current research. There is an extremely strong presumption and expectation that you will attend these.

Grading on weekly seminar papers and the final paper will be anonymous. Please turn in all of your papers with only your Williams ID number on it (in some unobtrusive place, such as the back page). Papers must reflect original thoughts and ideas. Any direct quotations or paraphrased material from outside sources must be credited and footnoted in your favorite style. Violation of this constitutes plagiarism. If you have questions about how the honor code applies to written work, please do not hesitate to contact me.


3. Weekly seminar papers

Your seminar papers should focus on one thesis or theme from the readings of that week. I will begin looking for a spirited critical engagement with the readings. While it will be acceptable for your weekly papers to begin with exegesis, you should also aim to offer some response to philosophical topics we encounter. Please keep in mind that by "critical engagement" I do not mean to demand criticism. You are welcome to flag your disagreements with the authors we have studied, but you are equally encouraged to develop ideas in a positive vein.

You may skip one weekly paper.

About 2 pages (3 maximum). Typewritten, double spaced in a 12 point font. No title page. 50% of final grade.


4. Final essay, a draft and a revised version

The final assignment for the seminar involves revising one of your weekly papers into a longer treatment of concepts. A substantial draft is due on November 29th, after which we will have a conference about your work. The final version is due by 5:00 on December 19th (the last day the Dean's office allows written work to be turned in).

15-20 pages recommended, no maximum. Typewritten, double spaced in a 12 point font. No title page. Draft is 10% of final grade. Final paper is 30% of final grade.

SEMINAR RESOURCES

Office hours - The instructor holds office meetings each week in Harper 9. They are:

Mondays	2:30- 4pm
Wednesdays	11-Noon
Thursdays	11-Noon & 2:30- 4pm


Additional times are available by special arrangement. Students are welcome to visit individually or in groups.

Instant Messaging - The instructor will occassionally be available via AIM. You may check anytime, and you may assumes that if I am logged on, I am available (and eager) for conversation. My screen name is profjcruz.

Students with disabilities who may need disability-related classroom accommodations for this course are encouraged to set up an appointment to meet with me as soon as possible and to contact the Dean's Office (at extension 4262) to better insure that accommodations are provided in a timely manner.