Notes for 1/12/2026

Introduction to Philosophy
with
Eric Sotnak




No devices in class (notes blog)

Grades:
50% Weekly reflections/responses (Assignments page) Roughly 3 paragraphs (2/3 page)
20% Essay (mid-term)(Assignments page) (Value of writing))
20% Exam (final)(Quizzes and Exams page)(Reinforcement)

AI policy: Don’t copy-paste AI output. 

10% Attendance 
    Maximum of 20 absences before failing course
    You get 1 point for each day you come to class. There are 44 class meetings (= 44 points). 
If you attend 38 class meetings, you will get 100% on your attendance grade (38 points). If you attend more than 38 class meetings (up to 44) you can earn 116% on your attendance grade.
In addition, extra credit points will be earnable at the end of the semester depending on how many people complete the course evaluation.




 
1/12/2026
Is love something that happens to you or is it something you make happen?
 
What is philosophy?

Etymology: 
Philo = love/lover
Sophia = wisdom

Example-based

“The unusually stubborn effort to think clearly.” (William James)

Topic-based
 
Philosophical Methodology

“What, exactly,” questions

Augustine: “If no one asks me what time is, then I know what time is. But if someone asks me, then I don’t know.”

“I like you.”

And but

“What, exactly, does that mean?”

--

“Why should anyone believe that rather than something else?”

“Philosophy aims at truth.”


“What difference might it make if we believe that rather than something else?”

Beliefs are action-guiding.


 

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