Welcome

Aloha!!!

A Philosophical Question is an invitation to Self-Exploration

 This site is designed to introduce you to my philosophy courses at Honolulu Community College. In all my courses we conduct a search for wisdom through an exploration of the Western philosophical tradition, the voices ignored or silenced by that tradition, and the ideas and insights of other cultures, as well as an examination of our own lives and beliefs. Below you will find information on these courses. Since, most students are curious about who they may be studying with I have provided a short biographical sketch. I have also created a photo gallery where you can view pictures of some of my adventures and my home here in Kaaawa (as you will see my backyard is now my favorite place in the world). The photo gallery also has pictures of some of my classes. In the tips section I have given my answer to that key question, “Why Study Philosophy?” as well as some advice on how to be successful in my courses. You will be required to read critically and write philosophical papers in all my courses. Some examples of past assignments are: " Is the meaning and purpose of your life created or discovered?", "Is happiness a choice?", "Is intervention by members of another culture in the practise of Female Genital Mutilation morally permissable, morally obligatory or morally prohibited?" I have provided advice on and guidelines for how to accomplish these tasks.

By clicking on the button above indicated by the titles in black lettering below you will find the information described.

COURSES:

Here you will find the syllabi for all my courses. I teach six courses.

Phil.101E, Morals and Society, is study of and deliberation on contemporary ethical issues through the perspectives of classical and contemporary ethical theories, and your own developing moral theory. Phil.101 fulfills a humanities requirement as well as your E-focus requirement.

Phil.101E, Morals and Society, Television and Web Course, 23 hours of my lectures in philosophy and seven films, depicting contemporary ethical controversies, are broadcast throughout the islands every semester on  Channel 55.  Students watch these programs and submit their work and participate in class discussions via an internet website.

 Phil.100, An Introduction to Philosophy, explores some of the great philosophical questions. Phil.100 fulfills a humanities requirement.

  Phil.211WI and 213WI are seminar courses in the history of western philosophy and each fulfills a writing intensive requirement. The basic structures of these courses are similar but their focus and requirements differ significantly.

 Phil.110, Logic, develops basic reasoning skills and an understanding of the principles and concepts involved in clear thinking. Phil.110 fulfills your symbolic reasoning requirement. I teach 100 and 101 every semester. I teach 211, 213 and 110 in alternate semesters. However, Dr. Ron Pine and Judy Sokie-Benhot teach Phil.110 every semester. The course syllabi outline the objectives and requirements for each course.

BIO:

Here you will find that short biographical sketch.

PHOTO GALLERY:

Here, of course, you will find pictures.

TIPS:

This section has four sections. Each should help you be successful in my classes.

Why Study Philosophy?

How to Read Philosophy

How to Write Philosophy (and avoid plagiarism)

Guidelines for Papers

This section provides information on the requirements for your papers. Here you will find the specifications for the page layout of your papers, a guide to catching and changing common grammatical errors, and a key for understanding the correction marks I will use to indicate errors in your writing.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me at my E-mail address: chris@hcc.hawaii.edu.