PHILC 1301-L

Joseph Magee, PhDPhilosophy of Nature and the Human PersonUniversity of St. Thomas
josephmagee@aol.comSpring 2026
(281) 733-6680Mo We 5:30PM – 6:45PMRobertson 116
School of Athens by Raphael in the Vatican Museums

Course Description:

A course in philosophical anthropology, studying many aspects of human nature: sensation, emotion, thought, will, habits, soul, and body.

Objective:

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to philosophical inquiry by examining the fundamental issues and arguments concerning the nature of material reality in general, and of human beings in particular. We will focus on the nature of physical bodies, the relationship between body and mind, and examine the nature of perception and intellection. We will also investigate the nature of emotion, desire, will, and habitual conditioning. If time permits, we will consider how the nature of human persons conditions their orientation to and ability to attain their ultimate destiny. The thought of Saint Thomas Aquinas will serve as a basis for our work, and we will seek to deepen our understanding of the issues by contrasting his views with alternative theories, both ancient and contemporary.

Requirements:

Success in all course requirements depends on the students’ attentive attendance and participation in the class discussions. Students are required to attend all classes consistent with university policy. Class attendance and participation will determine a part of each student’s grade.

Students are required to read all assignments carefully and more than once. The reading and analysis of any text, especially philosophical writing, is a skill difficult to acquire, but extremely useful in life. This course will help students to develop this skill. I will provide guide question to facilitate students’ understanding of the readings.  Students’ answering these questions will determine attendance and participation scores. Failure to read thoughtfully the assignments will show in class discussions, hinder students’ comprehension of the material (and thus hurt their grades), and make for a boring class.

The final grade for the course will be determined from the scores earned throughout the semester and weighted in the following manner: 25% midterm exam I, 25% midterm exam II, 40% comprehensive final exam, and 10% participation and attendance.  Study guides will be provided for exams.

Students should check their e‑mail for important updates about class, assignments, and exams. Students are encouraged to e‑mail questions, comments, and notifications of absences to the instructor.

Letter grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

95 – 100A77 – 79C+
90 – 94A-70 – 76C
87 – 89B+67 – 69C-
83 – 86B51 – 66D
80 – 82B-0 – 50F

Texts

Students will find the following texts in the bookstore containing required readings for the course. Additional reading assignments will be made available for download.

  • Plato, Five Dialogues (Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo). Second Edition. Translated by G. M. A. Grube. Revised by J. M. Cooper. Hackett, 2002. ISBN 978-0-87220-633-5.
  • René Descartes, Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy. Fourth Edition. Translated by D. Cress. Hackett, 1999. ISBN 978-0-87220-420-1.
  • Thomas Aquinas, On Human Nature. Edited by T. Hibbs. Hackett, 1999. ISBN 978-0-87220-454-6.
  • Joseph Magee, To Know the Truth of Things: An Overview of the Philosophy of Saint Thomas Aquinas. (Forthcoming).

Schedule of Readings

Dates and materials subject to change. (Revised 10/14/25)
(Readings in parentheses are recommended.)

Week 1 – January 12 – 14.

I. Introduction: What is philosophy? What are you? What does one have to do with the other?

Notes on the Rise of Philosophy

Guide Questions

Notes on Plato’s Meno (Recollection and Forms)

Week 2 – January 19 – 21.

M: MLK, Jr. Day – University Closed

II. Dualisms.

A. Plato, Phaedo in Five Dialogues, 57a-85e

Week 3 – January 26 – 28.

– Phaedo, 85e-107c

– Phaedo, 107c-118

(Magee, To Know the Truth of Things, Ch. 1)

Week 4 – February 2 – 4.

B. Basics of Logic: Substance and Accidents
Magee, To Know the Truth of Things, Ch. 2

C. Descartes, Discourse on Method
Meditations on First Philosophy

Week 5 – February 9 – 11.

Exam I Study Guide

Review

MIDTERM EXAM I.

Week 5 – February 16 – 18

III Materialisms.

A. Theories of Mind.

  1. Eliminative/ Reductive Materialism.
  2. Functionalism/ Cognitivism.
  3. Supervenience/ Emergence.

B. Problems.

  1. Substantial Unity (Are you one or many?)
  2. Consciousness (Are some people zombies?)
  3. Intentionality (How can you/your brain know?)
  4. Freedom (Do you/does your brain choose?)

Week 7 – February 23 – 25.

IV. Hylomorphism.

Notes: Form from Plato to Aristotle

  • A. Problem of Change
  • B. Four Causes

Magee, To Know the Truth of Things, Ch. 3

Notes on Aristotle on Change

Week 8 – March 2 – 4.

  • C. Body and Soul.

Magee, To Know the Truth of Things, Ch. 4.

Aquinas, On Human Nature, Ch. 1-2, 4.

Week 9 – March 9 – 11.

Spring Break

Week 10 – March 16 – 18.

  • D. Cognitive Powers.
    • 1. Senses

Aquinas, On Human Nature, Ch. 5.

Aquinas, On Human Nature, Ch. 6.

Week 11 – March 23 – 25.

    V. Immortality: Subsistence and Incorruptibility.

    Aquinas, On Human Nature, Ch. 4. (Ch. 3)

    Week 12 – March 30 – April 1.

    Exam II Study Guide

    Review

    MIDTERM EXAM II.

    Week 13 – April 6 – 8.

    M: Easter Monday – University Closed

      VI. Appetitive Powers

      • A. Sense Appetites: Passions
        • 1. Concupiscible
        • 2. Irascible

      Aquinas, On Human Nature, Ch. 8.

      Week 14 – April 13 – 15.

      • B. Rational Appetite: Will.
        • 1. Object – universal good.
        • 2. Specification of choice.
        • 3. Freedom in choosing.

      Aquinas, On Human Nature, Ch. 7.

      Week 15 – April 20 – 22.

      VI. Habits and Virtues.

      Aquinas, Summa Theologiae I-II, qq. 49-60 – Readings download

      • Guide Questions

      Week 16 – April 27 – 29.

      VII. Man’s Last End: Happiness

      Aquinas, ST I-II, 1-5. – Readings download

      • Guide Questions

      Final Exam Study Guide

      Review

      FINAL EXAM.

      Monday, May 4 – 4:00-6:30 PM