Course Instructor Contact: Jagdish Hattiangadi, jagdish@yorku.ca

This is an introductory course of lectures combined with tutorials, on good reasoning. The main texts are chosen from Plato’s dialogues which will cover the subject in two ways: The first component is a reading of some Socratic dialogues as examples of critical thinking. We will also read a commentary on the reasoning by Farnsworth, who points out features of it that we can discuss. Plato’s Socrates contrasted his way of reasoning with that of the sophists, and we will study some depictions of sophistry by way of contrast. The Socratic component takes up about two thirds of our lecture and discussion time in the course. The second component, the last third of the course may be described as a broad survey of the fallacies, for which we must watch out so that we do not succumb to them when others try to persuade us by trickery.

Technical requirements for taking the course: There are meetings scheduled for this course through video conferencing. Anyone taking the course must be prepared to also appear on video (e.g., for tutorial/seminar discussion, remote proctoring, etc.). In addition to stable, higher-speed Internet connection, you will need a computer with webcam and microphone to participate in the course. A smart device like a tablet or smart phone with these features is not adequate.

Here are some useful links for computing information, resources and help:

Student Guide to Moodle

Zoom@YorkU Best Practices 

Zoom@YorkU User Reference Guide

Computing for Students Website

Student Guide to eLearning at York University

To determine Internet connection and speed, there are online tests, such as Speedtest, that can be run.]

Required Course Text / Readings:

1. Plato: Collected Works, ed. John Cooper
2. Ward Farnsworth, The Socratic Method: A practitioner’s handbook.
3. Michels LaBossiere, 42 Fallacies. (Kindle electronic.)

60% for the e-class Moodle discussion, required twice each week.

20% Midterm paper topic to be announced,.

20% Final paper due on or before the last day of the class scheduled in this course

In this course, all work should be completed by you and you alone. As such, you are not allowed to use generative artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, to help you complete any of your work in this course (e.g., tests, papers, assignments, presentations, essay outlines, presentation scripts, etc.). If you do not know whether an online resource or tool can be used in this course, please contact me for guidance. Any use of generative AI in this course will be considered a breach of the Senate Policy on Academic Honesty. For more information, please review AI Technology & Academic Integrity: Information for Students.

Times and locations: Please note that this is a course that depends on remote teaching and learning.. Lectures and discussion, M, W, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. by Zoom.

Virtual office hours, electronic and telephone consultations only: My office hour by appointment is before class on Mondays for an hour. It can also be at a mutually convenient time in person or by telephone or Zoom, as required. Please send me an e-mail at jagdish@yorku.ca to make an appointment.

Lectures and discussion will be held twice a week by Zoom on the days and at the times indicated on e-class. The topics and material will be listed on e-class so that you read and comment on the topics twice before each session when we get to the Zoom discussions – one being a primary comment on the topic and at least one comment on another person’s primary comment. Your reading of the material and two comments always precede the discussion of topics, by posting at least once 24 hours before the time set up for Zoom. The Zoom or class discussions are synchronous, meaning we will be in the meeting all together. The e-class Moodle posts are not synchronous. You can post any time at your convenience provided that your comments are recorded before class, and your primary comment precedes the Zoom meeting by at least 24 hours.

• An appreciation of reasoning in the humanities (philosophy) and a social science (political science)
• A critical appreciation of how to argue skilfully.
• A familiarity with argumentative techniques, and some fallacies to recognize and avoid.
• An improved ability to read and write in a critical manner

Course policies:

Senate Policy on Academic Honesty will govern all your work, including discussions

Moodle (e-class) discussion: There are three components to the discussions., First there are primary comments on the material worth half the participation marks. The comments on another’s primary comment is worth anther 30% of the participation mark. Class (Zoom) discussions are worth 20% of the participation mark,

Mid-term Paper: This is a paper submitted to Turnitin on the topic to be announced.

The final paper: It is posted to Turnitin before a course grade can be earned.

Late penalties for both papers are 2% per day late or part thereof.