HONORS PHILOSOPHY

CRN 30541 AND 31581

Professor David Christopher Lane, Ph.D.

dlane@mtsac.edu

MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE  | Winter Semester | 2025 |

Professor David Christopher Lane, Ph.D.

Office Hours: Mondays via Zoom: 8 to 9 p.m. Feel free to ask any questions at that time or by email.

Email: dlane@mtsac.edu

TKey Guideline: Everything you need for this course is listed on this page. Read it carefully and systematically. Each week you are provided with reading materials and films and essay questions. Your professor is here to help and available 24/7 via email at dlane@mtsac.edu. 


Student Learning Outcomes by Discipline | Philosophy 5 Honors


PHIL 5/5H Introduction to Philosophy 

SLO 1: Students will be able to analyze the major philosophical schools of thought, primarily in the Western tradition, although including some Eastern thought as well. 

SLO 2: Student will be able to analyze the ideas of the major philosophers. 

SLO 3: Students will be able to apply philosophical knowledge from the major philosophers and schools of thought to real-world problems and contemporary issues. 

SLO 4: Students will learn to read, analyze, and reflect on primary philosophical texts to formulate their own understanding. 

SLO 5: Students will be able to develop a logical philosophical argument. 

SLO 6: Students will be able to critically evaluate philosophical theories in written essays.


Epistemology. Students will identify knowledge of Empirical and Rational systems of knowledge. Ethical Systems. Students will identify knowledge of Ethical Systems (Deontological, Teleological, Virtue Ethics). General Education Outcome. Students completing an assignment in Introduction to Philosophy will be able to identify the influence of culture on human expression. Inquiry/Critical Thinking and Analysis. Students will demonstrate inquiry (a systematic process of exploring issues, objects, or works) and analysis (assessment of evidence resulting in conclusions or judgments) as part of their coursework. Ontology. Students will identify knowledge of Ontological topics (Monism, Dualism, Pluralism).


General website: http://www.neuralsurfer.com  


General library of free materials: https://sites.google.com/view/themasterlist/home


Neural Surfer's YouTube channel for original audiobooks and films: http://www.youtube.com/user/neuralsurfer


Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/neuralsurfer


Email: dlane@mtsac.edu


Office location:  ONLINE via Zoom and email

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RSI | TEACHER-STUDENT INTERACTION: 


I have spent the last twenty years creating over 2000 original mini-visual films on philosophy, science, and religion, to provide a more personal (and visual) glimpse into philosophy. In this way, they serve as a visual and auditory lecture from your Professor. Furthermore, we have created over 500 original books and pamphlets dealing with philosophy that are available for free as PDFs and as interactive texts. This is an ongoing project and during the semester we will be adding to the large database that can be accessed anytime and anywhere via the Internet. We are most excited about producing nearly 1,500 free audiobooks that are available for download. Finally, I am available 24/7 via email for any questions or issues you may have.  Contact: dlane@mtsac.edu


OFFICE HOURS: Mondays via Zoom: 8 to 9 p.m. Feel free to ask any questions at that time or by email. I usually respond within 12 to 24 hours.

PROFESSOR RESPONSES IN THE FORUM: Five to Ten chosen responses each week by the Professor.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Look for new notifications by your Professor three times per week, which will include upcoming dates, new information, clarifications, new

audiobooks, PDFs, and more.


GRADING

A= Securing a CREDIT on each of the assigned essays each week, passing the midterm and final with a B+ or higher, and doing all the required readings and watching all of the required films. Also completing each of the student responses and receiving a CREDIT.

B= Securing a CREDIT on each of the assigned essays each week, passing the midterm and final with a B- or higher, and doing all the required readings and watching all of the required films. Also completing each of the student responses and receiving a CREDIT.

C= Securing a CREDIT on each of the assigned essays each week, passing the midterm and final with a C or higher, and doing all the required readings and watching all of the required films. Also completing each of the student responses and receiving a CREDIT.

D= Securing a CREDIT on each of the assigned essays each week, passing the midterm and final with a D or higher, and doing all the required readings and watching all of the required films. Also completing each of the student responses and receiving a CREDIT..

F= Not doing the required work for this course.


IMPORTANT NOTE: Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Your work must be your own.


A.I. and ChatGPT NOTICE: All essays and all writings must be self-generated. I know it is tempting to use A.I., but we have detectors and it is too easy to spot. Don't do it and don't be tempted to do it. Such writings will not be allowed, unless specifically specified.


I am available via email at dlane@mtsac.edu 24/7 if you have any questions or difficulties. I am here to help.


STUDENT TO STUDENT INTERACTION:

Often we learn more from sharing with other students than from formal lectures. Be sure to use the canvas forum to post your essay responses and to exchange ideas with other students. Also, be sure to keep a copy of your posts (and selected interactions) on your website for my review at midterm and finals time.


WEBSITE MODULES.

I have created unique websites for each of the readings, audiobook versions and films in this course. They are rich study guides and will help contextualize the materials in this course.


Week One Website: HOW SOCRATES DIED

Week Two Website: ON BEING UNKNOWING and JUST ODDS

Week Three Website: QUANTUM WEIRDNESS

Week Four Website: DARWIN 101

Week Five Website: THE UNKNOWING SAGE and THE TEMPTATIONS OF PRINCE AGIB

Week Six Website: DIGITAL TELEPORTATION


SUBJECTS COVERED



GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS


1. In this philosophy course, we are following a consilience approach, much more typical of how philosophy was done in Aristotle's day, where one covered the natural sciences. This is not a history of philosophy course, but is rather designed to be very current and demonstrate how to think philosophically and scientifically through each major academic branch--from physics to biology to neuroscience to religion. We have spent years writing hundreds of articles on such subjects as consciousness, evolution, and artificial intelligence. Philosophy need not be a rehash of all things ancient, but can focus on topics of vital interest in today's increasingly technological world.


2. Each student is required to create a free website (preferably on google sites) that will contain all of the work done for this course. This will include all posts,  and all extra credit.  Google now has an updated, newer version video to help you with how to make your site. Keep a copy of everything that you do for the course on your website. Make sure your website is public so the Professor can access it. Also be sure if you use Google docs to make them publicly accessible.


3. Follow the instructions systematically on each week's assigned website link. This entails reading the required PDF text, listening to the Audiobook and/or Audio Podcast. Responding to two key essay questions that you choose and responding to two other students. You will post all of your work on your website and you will also share your essays on each week's discussion board.


4. There will be a midterm (third week) and a final (6th week). I will post the midterm and final questions one week in advance before they are due.


5.  Since this is an accelerated course each student must be very responsible (given the accelerated term) and self-motivated. If you have any difficulties, questions, or problems email your teacher directly at dlane@mtsac.edu


6. Flash extra credit and updates. Your professor will be posting extra credit assignments (from magazines to movies to books) on occasion, so look out for them on the canvas class forum.


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FROM THE MSAC GUIDELINE SHEET

Cheating and Plagiarism

The term “Cheating” includes but is not limited to:

• Plagiarism

• Receiving or knowingly supplying unauthorized information

• Using unauthorized material or sources

• Changing an answer after work has been graded and presenting it as improperly 

graded

• Illegally accessing confidential information through a computer

• Taking an examination for another student or having another person take an 

examination for you

• Presenting another person’s work as your own

• Forging or altering registration or grade documents

• Submitting collectively developed work as your own, unless specifically allowed by 

the professor

A professor who determines that a student has cheated may give the student a failing grade 

for the assignment and should report the alleged academic dishonesty to the Student Life 

Office, which will maintain a record of the report and appropriate action under the 

provisions of the Administrative Procedures on Student Discipline (AP 5520).

Students are advised that allegations of dishonesty are serious, and can lead to disciplinary 

sanctions including suspension and expulsion. (AP 4290).

For webpage: http://www.mtsac.edu/distancelearning/_resources/2013-

14_Catalog_StudentHonestyPolicy_1.pdf


Disability Accommodations 


Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological, who believe that they 

may need accommodations in this class, are encouraged to contact Disabled Students 

Programs & Services (DSPS) as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are 

implemented in a timely manner. Their phone number is (909) 274-4290 and they are located 

in the Student Services Building, Room 9B. Webpage: http://www.mtsac.edu/dsps/