Hopkinsville Community College

What does a typical
What does Professor Perez's philosophy class look like?

I have never taken a philosophy class, what is philosophy?

It might help if you show me a dialogue between a student and me.

Student Robert: I'm confused about the J.S. Mill Trolley problem and his connection to the ethics of medical euthanasia. Can you explain in more detail?

Prof Perez: Sure, but first, can we do an exercise?

SR: Sure, ok?

PP: Do you have siblings?

SR: Yes, I have an older brother, Steve, and my little sister Jane.

PP: Can you identify a favorite?

SR: LOL, no, I love them equally, even if one is more annoying than the other. 

PP: Pretend you three are walking along a city center and decide to grab coffee at the shop across the street. Steve steps off the curb, making his way there, but Jane stops to tie her shoe. Just then, you see a man on a motorcycle pop the curb and land on the sidewalk. He is out of control and heading right for Jane, who is unaware of the impending doom of her situation. You realize he popped the curb because two cars crashed in front of him, and the lead car lost control of their car and headed right for Steve. In that split second, you have screamed for Steve and Jane to move, but they are. not quick enough. You have to act to save them, but you know you can't save both. Who do you save?

SR: Oh wow. I have to think about that. Does the motorcycle see my sister? Does Steve see the car coming? Who am I closest to? 

PP: The answer is not as important as the thought process, bringing you to an answer. What questions are you asking? What moral framework will you lean on? Who will dictate your actions and why? That is the point of the trolley problem. JS Mill wants you to evaluate the breadcrumbs that lead to the answer. Are you using bias confirmation? Are you experiencing pressure from an outside source? Do you feel free to answer honestly? If not, why?

SR: Oh, I think I get it now. So it is not important if the mom decides to help her dad pass away, or if it's legal or now, as much as why she makes her choice and how she justifies her decision. 

PP: EXACTLY! That's philosophy - the exploration of reason and logic in a given situation. 

How would you define Philosophy? 

Philosophy is consciously attempting to comprehend the world around us, knowing that we know nothing without open inward and outward questions. Picture yourself and a friend leaving the movie theatre after watching an exciting, thrilling action movie and asking, "What did you think?" The following discussion includes plot points, favorite characters, funniest moments, directors' intentions, and ways you might do it differently. That, in a nutshell, is philosophy, but insert a conversation that includes the nature of love, gods, or ethics. Philosophy is you and me trying to figure the world out through reason and logic.

What if I am not educated enough to take this class? 

If you can have an open-minded conversation in which you are willing to debate your beliefs, my beliefs, and the foundation of narratives presented to us, then you are educated enough to be here. 

What is the Layout of Philosophy class?

Well, every philosophy teacher approaches the topic in different ways but in my Medical Ethics class, which follows the same model as all my courses, we cover topics segmented by weeks, with short breaks in between. Each module addresses a specific question that connects to a broader philosophical theme discussed at the end of the class.

Can you elaborate more on what this course entails, i.e., its online layout, lectures, and materials, and whether they are ADA-accessible? 

We use the Blackboard Ultra course layout, which is designed with built-in ADA-accessible safeguards. If you want a better idea of the layout, I recommend researching the many tutorials they offer on YouTube. The course materials depend largely on the class. For example, my War and Peace class uses three complementary PDF textbooks, which could be used with audio e-readers. In my Medical Ethics course, we use a textbook provided by the bookstore, but we also have an earlier complementary version that supplements students unable to purchase the book. Also, depending on the course, I supplied videos and SlideSets that further explain the more complex areas of the text. And, if all else fails, I regularly meet with students via WhatsApp, Zoom, or Teams for one-on-one training over the material. 

The Overall Objective of a General Philosophy Course:

A general introduction to Western Philosophy courses attempts to answer many questions (but not limited to).

• What is the Human Condition?

• Is War Just?

• What is the best way to implement access to healthcare?

• Should assisted suicide be condoned?

• Is this world real?

• What does it mean to be in love and have friends?

• Can we prove gods exist?

• Should nurses be friends with their patients?

• How is our mind related to our bodies?

• What is ethically right?

• How do we determine who has the right to healthcare?

• What are truth and justice?

• Do we have free will to do as we please?

• Are we in control of our lives?​

Types of Philosophical Questions

Epistemology:

- What is knowledge, and how is it acquired?

- How do we distinguish between true beliefs and false beliefs?

- What is the relationship between perception, reason, and knowledge?

- How do we know that we are not living in a simulation and that our perceptions of the world are accurate?

- What is the role of intuition in acquiring knowledge, and how reliable is it?

- Can we know things beyond our direct experience, such as the existence of other minds or the laws of nature?

Ethics:

- What is the nature of morality, and how do we determine what is right and wrong?

- How do cultural norms and values influence ethical judgments and decision-making?

- What is the relationship between individual freedom and social responsibility?

- Is it ever morally justifiable to break the law, and if so, under what circumstances?

- How do cultural norms and values shape our attitudes toward issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment?

- Is morality objective, or is it a matter of subjective opinion and cultural practice?

Metaphysics:

- What is the nature of reality, and what can we know about it?

- What is the relationship between mind and body, and how do they interact?

- What is the nature of time, space, and causality?

- What is the relationship between mind and body, and how do we explain mental phenomena such as consciousness and free will?

- What is the nature of causality, and how do we explain the relationship between cause and effect?

- Is reality fundamentally material, or does it include immaterial or spiritual aspects?