PHI 1010: Introduction to
Philosophy
Basic Course Information
Florida Gulf Coast University | Spring 2024
Tuesdays & Thursdays 1:30-2:45 | Synchronous
PHI 1010 | CRN: 16168
Instructor Contact Information
Professor: Dr. Miles Hentrup
Office: RH110
Office Hours: Tuesdays 3-4 (and by appointment)
Email: mhentrup@fgcu.edu
Course Description
What is thinking? In what sense are thoughts real? Is reality accessible through the operations of the intellect, or does it
lie somewhere beyond thought’s grasp? We commonly assume our thinking to be free, but the history of philosophy has
made clear the great difficulty that thinkers have encountered over the centuries in attempting to demonstrate the
freedom of thought. If, however, the freedom of thought cannot be sufficiently demonstrated, how can we honestly
claim to know anything with certainty? In this class, students will be invited to inquire into the nature and limits of
thinking. Through this exploration, students will be introduced to the texts of several canonical authors in the history of
philosophy – including figures like Plato, Descartes, and Kant. Through careful reading, interactive lecture, discussion,
and in-depth writing exercises, students will engage the important work of these figures and how th ey have contributed
to the perennial question of philosophy, "what can we know"? Along the way, students will have the chance to explore
other classic philosophical questions – questions about death, the immortality of the soul, and the nature of human
freedom.
Synchronous Format
This is a synchronous online course, meaning that students will attend class meetings over Microsoft Teams during the
scheduled meeting times. To ensure a quality learning environment, please make sure to find a quiet space to participate
in during the class meeting, enable your video and audio at the beginning of the session, and mute your microphone
when you are not speaking to eliminate background noise.
Course Objectives
In this class, students will develop…
• Critical thinking skills
• Analytical writing skills
• Familiarity with the basic problems of metaphysics and epistemology
