First-Year Writing Seminar (101-8-21)

Topic

Time, then and now

Instructors

Sean Christopher Ebels Duggan
847/491-2553
Kresge 3-443

Meeting Info

Allison Residential Comm 1021: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

Augustine of Hippo famously wrote: "What is time? If no one asks me, I know. If I wish to explain it to one that asks, I know not." One of the difficult parts of thinking about time is that one can't jump back and observe it from afar, though we feel like we know what it is because we live "in" it . But it is hard to say what any of this means. And that might lead us to ask whether time is "real". What about the parts of time: past, present, and future. Is one more real than the other? What does "real" even mean when we are talking about something like time? Does modern physics answer these questions, or not? This course will examine questions that arise from the contemplation of time from logical, physical, and metaphysical perspectives. With readings from Aristotle, Augustine, Nagarjuna, Leibniz, Clarke, Du Chatelet, Einstein, and others.

Learning Objectives

Reading texts carefully to answer questions. Write clear prose that elucidates subtle points and advances compelling, yet honest, arguments. Learn some of the methods of philosophy as they have been applied to questions and metaquestions about time.

Class Materials (Required)

All class materials will be available at the library at NO cost to students.

Adrian Bardon, _A Brief history of the Philosophy of Time_; other selections will be posted on Canvas

Class Notes

Final paper

Class Attributes

WCAS Writing Seminar