We will consider both certain very well-known, and certain not so well-known, philosophical puzzles and paradoxes and solutions to those puzzle and paradoxes. In addition, we will see how such puzzles and paradoxes figure into philosophy in general. Both historical and contemporary works will be studied.

Some, but probably not all, Topics: Zeno's Paradoxes, Meno's Paradox, Paradox of the Heap, The Liar Paradox, Frege's Puzzle, Russell's Paradox, The Paradox of Analysis, The Prisoner's Dilemma, Goodman's New Riddle of Induction, Newcomb's Problem, Kripke's Puzzle about Belief.

Works: A large selection of works will be available from the Moodle site for the course. There is no required textbook.

Requirements: Each student will make two presentations, each student must take at least three of the four pop-quizzes, and each student must take the final exam. In addition, you are required to turn in critiques of each presentation made on a day other than the day on which you are making a presentation.

Presentations: The presentations will be based on material in the various readings. In addition, each student's second presentation will be supplemented by at least two readings related to the content of the work selected by the presenters. Hence, the presenters are responsible not only for the material covered in the reading for which they are responsible, but are also expected to provide coverage of additional relevant material.

Presentation 1 will introduce the puzzle/paradox under consideration. This introduction will be historical in as much as it will present the puzzle/paradox in its original form--or in a form that is as close to the original as one can find. In addition, the puzzle/paradox will be presented in the form of an argument. Finally, the presentation should cover Philosophy's initial reaction to the puzzle/paradox.

Presentation 2 will examine subsequent attempts to solve the puzzle. This will also be largely historical in as much as it will present philosophical responses to the puzzle/paradox beyond those that occurred shortly after its early discovery. These presentations will also be evaluative in that they will contain careful critical evaluations of attempts to solve the puzzle/paradox.

A presentation that does not include a well-written handout, will not receive a grade higher than a D, one not containing statements of the main arguments and theses of the work(s) it covers will not receive a grade higher than a C, one not containing your own argument(s), where appropriate, will not receive a grade higher than a B.

Grading: Of the 100 possible points, 40 are from the first presentation 40 are from the second presentation, and 20 are from the pop quizzes.

 Schedule (Under construction):

Week Day Topic(s) Presenter(s) 1 Tuesday Introduction.1 Tom Ryckman 1 Thursday Frege's Puzzle Ryckman1 2 Tuesday Frege's Puzzle Ryckman2 2 Thursday Reading Day 3 Tuesday  Raven Paradox, Two Envelopes, Meno Piszkiewicz1, Gramila1, Vidaurre1 3 Thursday  Surprise Exam, Grue?, Heap Dunbar-Hester1, Gifford1, Breese1 4 Tuesday  Trolley Paradox, Wing1, Mckee1 4 Thursday  Ship of Theseus. Paradox of the Stone Brendt1, Specht1 5 Tuesday  Prisoner's Dilemma Standley1, Wright1 5 Thursday   Utter1 6 Tuesday  Russell’s Paradox, Olsen1, Kane1 6 Thursday Mid-term Break 7 Tuesday  Two Envelopes, Meno Gramila2, Vidaurre2 7 Thursday  Raven Paradox, Heap Breese2, Piszkiewicz2 8 Tuesday   Gifford2, Utter2 8 Thursday  Prisoner's Dilemma Kane2, Wright2, Standley2 9 Tuesday   Mckee2 9 Thursday  Russell’s Paradox, Paradox of the Stone Olsen2, Specht2 10 Tuesday  Surprise Exam, Trolley Paradox Dunbar-Hester2, Wing2 10 Thursday  Ship of Theseus Brendt2