Introduction to Philosophy from an Ontological Perspective - Revision history

Phismith at 13:16, 10 January 2026

2026-01-10T13:16:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:16, 10 January 2026
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			PHI 601 Introduction to Philosophy from an Ontological Perspective - Spring 2026
	PHI 601

	Registration number 23606		Registration number 23606

Phismith at 17:53, 5 November 2025

2025-11-05T17:53:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:53, 5 November 2025
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	:1. quality of questions, measured in terms of interestingness, clarity, and relevance to the course		:1. quality of questions, measured in terms of interestingness, clarity, and relevance to the course
	:2. completeness of the list of questions received		:2. completeness of the list of questions received
	:3. quality of contributions to the final ~~face-to-face~~ meeting		:3. quality of contributions to the final synchronous meeting

	A video recording of Dr Smith's answers to representative questions is available [https://buffalo.box.com/v/Questions-on-ontology here].		A video recording of Dr Smith's answers to representative questions is available [https://buffalo.box.com/v/Questions-on-ontology here].

Phismith at 16:00, 11 August 2025

2025-08-11T16:00:56Z

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	~~Special Topics (~~PHI ~~598)~~ Registration number 23606		PHI 601

			Registration number 23606

	Instructor: [http://ontology.buffalo.edu/smith Barry Smith]		Instructor: [http://ontology.buffalo.edu/smith Barry Smith]

Phismith: /* Student Learning Outcomes */

2025-08-06T14:55:21Z

Student Learning Outcomes

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	\| Assessment of questions submitted at the end of the lectures.		\| Assessment of questions submitted at the end of the lectures.
	\|-		\|-
	\| The student will acquire experience in using one principal philosophical method, namely: analysing arguments and formulating relevant questions for which answers have not been ~~answered~~ in the course of the lectures.		\| The student will acquire experience in using one principal philosophical method, namely: analysing arguments and formulating relevant questions for which answers have not been provided in the course of the lectures.
	\| The student is required to submit written questions for each of the 8 lectures making up the course.		\| The student is required to submit written questions for each of the 8 lectures making up the course.
	\| Review of questions for relevance and originality.		\| Review of questions for relevance and originality.

Phismith: /* Student Learning Outcomes */

2025-08-06T14:53:45Z

Student Learning Outcomes

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:53, 6 August 2025
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	! Assessment Method(s)		! Assessment Method(s)
	\|-		\|-
	\| The student will acquire a beginner's knowledge of philosophy that will introduce him to more technical aspects of the discipline ~~of philosophy and specifically of applied ontology,~~ in subsequent semesters.		\| The student will acquire a beginner's knowledge of philosophy that will introduce him or her to more technical aspects of the discipline in subsequent semesters.
	\| Lectures and class discussions		\| Lectures and class discussions.
	\| Assessment of questions submitted at the end of the lectures		\| Assessment of questions submitted at the end of the lectures.
	\|
	\| The student will acquire experience in using one principal philosophical method, namely analysing arguments and formulating questions relevant to these answers which have not been answered in the course of the lectures 2. engaging in arguments with the interlocutor in favor of one or other answer to questions discussed in the final synchronous meeting of the classbased on questioning the validity of claims made.
	~~\| The student is required to formulate written questions, questions which have not been answered in the course of the lecture.~~
	~~\| Review of result~~.
	\|-		\|-
	\| The student will acquire experience in using a second principal philosophical method, namely an active part in oral arguments.		\| The student will acquire experience in using one principal philosophical method, namely: analysing arguments and formulating relevant questions for which answers have not been answered in the course of the lectures.
	\| Performance in the final -- synchronous -- session of the course~~. Participation~~ in ~~this final session~~ is compulsory.		\| The student is required to submit written questions for each of the 8 lectures making up the course.
			\| Review of questions for relevance and originality.
			\|-
			\| The student will acquire experience in using a second principal philosophical method, namely: taking an active part in oral arguments.
			\| Performance in the final -- synchronous -- session of the course, active participation in which is compulsory.
	\| Review of active participation by student.		\| Review of active participation by student.
	\|}		\|}
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	'''Grading'''		'''Grading'''
	Grading for the course will take the following form. For each of the 8 lectures the student is required to prepare a single question relating to the content of that lecture~~. The question should be a maximum of one sentence~~. It should ~~also~~ be such that an answer to the question is not provided in the lecture. It should also be of general interest to the other students taking the course. After digesting the content of all lectures the student should send a list of ~~all~~ 8 questions to phismith@buffalo.edu with the subject heading "8 Questions". After receiving emails of this form from all students enrolled in the class, '''and not later than November 15''', a zoom meeting will be organized at which students will be ~~invited~~ to ~~provide answers~~ to a subset of these questions. Participation in this zoom meeting is required by all class participants, and class contributions will be part of the grade for the course.		Grading for the course will take the following form. For each of the 8 lectures the student is required to prepare a single question relating to the content of that lecture. It should be such that an answer to the question is not provided in the lecture. It should also be of general interest to the other students taking the course. After digesting the content of all lectures the student should send a list of 8 questions to phismith@buffalo.edu with the subject heading "8 Questions". After receiving emails of this form from all students enrolled in the class, '''and not later than November 15''', a zoom meeting will be organized at which students will be required to engage in arguments pertaining to a subset of these questions. Participation in this zoom meeting is required by all class participants, and class contributions will be part of the grade for the course.

	The final grade will be calculated on the basis of:		The final grade will be calculated on the basis of:
	:1. quality of questions, measured in terms of interestingness, clarity, and relevance to the course		:1. quality of questions, measured in terms of interestingness, clarity, and relevance to the course

Phismith: /* Student Learning Outcomes */

2025-08-06T14:49:02Z

Student Learning Outcomes

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	! Assessment Method(s)		! Assessment Method(s)
	\|-		\|-
	\| The student will acquire a beginner's knowledge of philosophy that will introduce him to more technical aspects of the discipline, and specifically ~~of the discipline~~ of applied ontology, in subsequent semesters.		\| The student will acquire a beginner's knowledge of philosophy that will introduce him to more technical aspects of the discipline of philosophy and specifically of applied ontology, in subsequent semesters.
	\| Lectures and class discussions		\| Lectures and class discussions
	\| Assessment of questions submitted at the end of the lectures		\| Assessment of questions submitted at the end of the lectures
			\|
			\| The student will acquire experience in using one principal philosophical method, namely analysing arguments and formulating questions relevant to these answers which have not been answered in the course of the lectures 2. engaging in arguments with the interlocutor in favor of one or other answer to questions discussed in the final synchronous meeting of the classbased on questioning the validity of claims made.
			\| The student is required to formulate written questions, questions which have not been answered in the course of the lecture.
			\| Review of result.
	\|-		\|-
	\| The student will acquire experience in using ~~two~~ principal ~~tools of philosophy~~, namely ~~1. formulating questions in relation to matters that have been left open by~~ an ~~interlocutor, 2. engaging~~ in arguments ~~with the interlocutor in favor of one or other answer to questions discussed in the final synchronous meeting of the classbased on questioning the validity of claims made~~.		\| The student will acquire experience in using a second principal philosophical method, namely an active part in oral arguments.
	\| ~~THe student is required to formulate written questions, questions which have not been answered in the course of the lecture.~~		\| Performance in the final -- synchronous -- session of the course. Participation in this final session is compulsory.
	~~\| Review of results~~		\| Review of active participation by student.
	\|-
	~~\| The student is required to take an active part in oral arguments~~ in the final -- synchronous -- session of the course.
	~~\| Performance~~ in ~~class~~
	\| Review of ~~results~~
	\|}		\|}

Phismith: /* Student Learning Outcomes */

2025-08-06T14:45:46Z

Student Learning Outcomes

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:45, 6 August 2025
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	\|-		\|-
	\| The student will acquire experience in using two principal tools of philosophy, namely 1. formulating questions in relation to matters that have been left open by an interlocutor, 2. engaging in arguments with the interlocutor in favor of one or other answer to questions discussed in the final synchronous meeting of the classbased on questioning the validity of claims made.		\| The student will acquire experience in using two principal tools of philosophy, namely 1. formulating questions in relation to matters that have been left open by an interlocutor, 2. engaging in arguments with the interlocutor in favor of one or other answer to questions discussed in the final synchronous meeting of the classbased on questioning the validity of claims made.
	\| ~~Formulation of~~ questions, ~~taking part in oral arguments~~ in the ~~final -- synchronous -- session~~ of the ~~course~~		\| THe student is required to formulate written questions, questions which have not been answered in the course of the lecture.
	\| Review of results		\| Review of results
	\|-		\|-
	\| The student ~~will acquire experience~~ in ~~formulating ideas using powerful persuasive prose~~.		\| The student is required to take an active part in oral arguments in the final -- synchronous -- session of the course.
	\| ~~Creation of documentation and youtube presentations~~		\| Performance in class
	\| Review of results		\| Review of results
	\|}		\|}

Phismith: /* Student Learning Outcomes */

2025-08-06T14:43:14Z

Student Learning Outcomes

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:43, 6 August 2025
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	\| The student will acquire a beginner's knowledge of philosophy that will introduce him to more technical aspects of the discipline, and specifically of the discipline of applied ontology, in subsequent semesters.		\| The student will acquire a beginner's knowledge of philosophy that will introduce him to more technical aspects of the discipline, and specifically of the discipline of applied ontology, in subsequent semesters.
	\| Lectures and class discussions		\| Lectures and class discussions
	\| ~~Lectures~~\|-		\| Assessment of questions submitted at the end of the lectures
	\| The student will acquire experience in using ~~one~~ principal ~~tool~~ of philosophy, namely engaging in arguments ~~based~~ on questioning the validity of claims made~~, in this case, by the lecturer~~.		\|-
			\| The student will acquire experience in using two principal tools of philosophy, namely 1. formulating questions in relation to matters that have been left open by an interlocutor, 2. engaging in arguments with the interlocutor in favor of one or other answer to questions discussed in the final synchronous meeting of the classbased on questioning the validity of claims made.
	\| Formulation of questions, taking part in oral arguments in the final -- synchronous -- session of the course		\| Formulation of questions, taking part in oral arguments in the final -- synchronous -- session of the course
	\| Review of results		\| Review of results

Phismith at 14:39, 6 August 2025

2025-08-06T14:39:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:39, 6 August 2025
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	'''[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyngZgIl3WTjov-UhEW7N145LVBPrRYLZ Course content can be found here].'''		'''[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyngZgIl3WTjov-UhEW7N145LVBPrRYLZ Course content can be found here].'''


			== '''Student Learning Outcomes''' ==

			{\| class="wikitable"
			\|-
			! Program Outcomes/Competencies
			! Instructional Method(s)
			! Assessment Method(s)
			\|-
			\| The student will acquire a beginner's knowledge of philosophy that will introduce him to more technical aspects of the discipline, and specifically of the discipline of applied ontology, in subsequent semesters.
			\| Lectures and class discussions
			\| Lectures\|-
			\| The student will acquire experience in using one principal tool of philosophy, namely engaging in arguments based on questioning the validity of claims made, in this case, by the lecturer.
			\| Formulation of questions, taking part in oral arguments in the final -- synchronous -- session of the course
			\| Review of results
			\|-
			\| The student will acquire experience in formulating ideas using powerful persuasive prose.
			\| Creation of documentation and youtube presentations
			\| Review of results
			\|}

Phismith at 16:03, 23 July 2025

2025-07-23T16:03:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:03, 23 July 2025
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	'''Grading'''		'''Grading'''
	Grading for the course will take the following form. For each of the 8 lectures the student is required to prepare a single question relating to the content of that lecture. The question should be a maximum of one sentence. It should also be such that an answer to the question is not provided in the lecture. It should also be of general interest to the other students taking the course. After digesting the content of all lectures the student should send a list of all 8 questions to phismith@buffalo.edu with the subject heading "8 Questions". After receiving emails of this form from all students enrolled in the class, '''and not later than November 15''', a zoom meeting will be organized at which students will be invited to provide answers to a subset of these questions. Participation in this zoom meeting is required by all class participants, and class contributions will be part of the grade for the course.		Grading for the course will take the following form. For each of the 8 lectures the student is required to prepare a single question relating to the content of that lecture. The question should be a maximum of one sentence. It should also be such that an answer to the question is not provided in the lecture. It should also be of general interest to the other students taking the course. After digesting the content of all lectures the student should send a list of all 8 questions to phismith@buffalo.edu with the subject heading "8 Questions". After receiving emails of this form from all students enrolled in the class, '''and not later than November 15''', a zoom meeting will be organized at which students will be invited to provide answers to a subset of these questions. Participation in this zoom meeting is required by all class participants, and class contributions will be part of the grade for the course.
	~~Grade~~ will be calculated on the basis of:		The final grade will be calculated on the basis of:
	:1. quality of questions, measured in terms of interestingness, clarity, and relevance to the course		:1. quality of questions, measured in terms of interestingness, clarity, and relevance to the course
	:2. completeness of the list of questions received		:2. completeness of the list of questions received