PHI 211

Philosophy in Culture
Fall 2014

Matt Bonzo
Professor of Philosophy
Cornerstone University
Office: FOB 117
Hours: MWF 9-10, 1-4; TTH 9-11 (During the day; Im usually in my office except when in
class)
email: matt.bonzo@cornerstone.edu
phone: 1200
Required
Texts:
William Cavanaugh, Being Consumed (Eerdmans, 2008).
Luc Ferry, A Brief History of Thought (Harper Perennial, 2011).
Heath White, Postmodernism 101 (Baker, 2006)
N.T. Wright, After You Believe. Why Christian Character Matters (Harper One, 2010).
Additional readings will be available via the Course Website.
Course
Description:
Philosophy in Culture is designed to introduce and develop the notion of worldview from a
Christian philosophical perspective. The course will play special attention to the hermeneutical
issues surrounding worldview and the important role philosophy has played in western culture.

Learning Objectives:
A. Comprehension
The student will be able to:
a. Define philosophy, worldview, and their relationship to other disciplines.
b. Distinguish the structure and direction of creation.

c.
d.
e.
f.

Identify ontology, ethics, and epistemology as the areas of philosophical inquiry.

Describe a Christian approach to philosophy.
Defends Creation, Fall, Redemption as the Christian Worldview.
Define culture

B. Analysis and Evaluation

The student will be able to:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Interpret the history of ideas using a Christian hermeneutic

Compare the antithesis as manifest in distinct historical periods
Criticize ones operational worldview from a Christian philosophical basis.
Appreciate the foundational nature of philosophical discourse for theoretical
investigation.
e. Engage in respectful conversation regarding philosophical matters.
f. Value legitimate difference in others.
g. Appreciate the culture-shaping role of the history of ideas.
Requirements:
4 Essay Exams
Final Essay Exam
Class points can be obtained through reading quizzes, class participation and other
assignments. Need 25 of the 50 to pass the class. Need all 50 to receive the 15% in your grade.

Grades
Top 3 Essay Exams (drop lowest of the 4) 45% (15% each)
Final Exam 40%
Class Points 15%

Scale
>92 A; 91-92 A-; 89-90 B+; >82 B ; 81-82 B-; 79-80 C+; >72 C; 71-72 C-; >67 D

Integration of Faith and Learning:

As Christians, our worldview must be shaped and tested by Scripture. If we understand
our worldviews to be the standpoints from which we see all of life and as that
which gives direction to our lives, the importance of critically evaluating
these frameworks is evident. To build our life upon any foundation other than
Gods revelation is disastrous. At this point the project seems easy. We just
need to read Scripture and it will simply shape us. The problem, however, is
sin. Sin affects all of life also. It even corrupts our intellectual framework. The
prevalence of sin means there is no pure worldview. Rather, each of us must
deal with distortions. These distortions are not only personal, but also
corporate and institutional. Hence, each of us is to be engaged in the task of
allowing Gods Word to change ourselves, our communities, and our cultures.

Christian philosophy undertakes this calling by looking at the basic structures

of reality and describing systematically what is subject to that structure.
Such investigation begins with the scriptural theme of
creation/fall/redemption. From this point of departure, we look such basic
questions as How and what can we know? (Epistemology), What should we
do? (Ethics), and What is reality like? (Ontology) In providing answers which
are firmly rooted in Scripture, we will begin to fulfill Pauls charge to bring
into captivity every thought (2 Cor. 10:5).

Instructor/Student Covenant
As instructor of this course, I covenant with each student that I will model
Christ-like behavior, value and respect each student as a child of God, come
to class prepared, begin and end class on time, make appropriate
assignments and grade them fairly, and be available for consultation outside
of class. In return, I expect each student to model Christ-like behavior, show
proper respect to me as the instructor, come to class prepared, arrive and
leave class on time, submit assignments and participate in ways that
demonstrate your integrity.

Schedule
Part 1

Community, Worldview and Virtue

Week of Sept. 1
Reading: Wright chps. 1-2
Week of Sept.8
Reading: Wright chps. 3-5, Olthuis article
Week of Sept. 15

Exam 1 (Sept. 18 or 19)

Reading: Wright chps. 6-9

Part 2

Desire, Sex, and Marriage

Focal Period: Greek

Week of Sept. 22
Reading: Ferry chp. 1, Plato selection
Week of Sept. 29
Reading: Ferry chp. 2, Aristotle selection
Week of Oct. 6

Exam 2 (Oct. 9 or 10)

Reading: Ferry chp. 3

Part 3

Evil, Death and Faithfulness

Focal Period: Medieval

Week of Oct. 13

Fall Break

Reading: Augustine selection

Week of Oct. 20
Reading: Aquinas Selection
Week of Oct. 27

Exam 3 (Oct. 30 or 31)

Reading: Ferry chp. 4

Part 4

Wealth, Politics and the Loss of the Good

Focal Period: Modern and Postmodern

Week of Nov. 3
Reading: Ferry chp. 5, Locke selection
Week of Nov. 10
Reading: White chps. 1-5, Hegel selection
Week of Nov. 17
Reading: White chps. 6-9, Marx selection
Week of Nov. 24

Exam 4 (Nov. 24 or 25) Thanksgiving

Week of Dec. 1
Reading: Cavanaugh chps. 1-4
Week of Dec. 8

Final Exam

University Statements
ADA
The university will make reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities, in
compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and with the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990. The purpose of accommodation is to provide equal access to
educational opportunities to students affected by disabilities, and the university does not intend
that the standards be altered, nor that the essential elements of programs or courses be changed.
Students having documented disabilities may apply for accommodations through Student

Disability Services (SDS), which is part of the Cornerstone University Learning Center located
in Miller Hall on the main campus.

In the event that students have questions regarding whether they are eligible for
accommodations, how they might provide appropriate documentation of disabilities, or how they
might handle a disagreement with a professor over questions of accommodation, the Director of
Academic Support should be contacted immediately at (616) 222-1596 or via email at
learning.center@cornerstone.edu. Further information about applying for and utilizing
accommodations is provided in the Student Handbook and on the universitys website.
Academic Integrity
As a Christian institution of higher education, Cornerstone University seeks to maintain the
highest standards of academic integrity. The faculty trusts the integrity of Cornerstone students
and encourages them to maintain the integrity of the faculty-student relationship. Academic
dishonesty, therefore, is a serious breach of university standards and will result in substantial
penalties. See Cornerstones full policy at
https://portal.cornerstone.edu/undergrad-divisions/Documents/Academic%20Integrity
%20Policy.pdf
Copyright Violation and Plagiarism
COPYRIGHT VIOLATION and PLAGIARISM have serious ramifications for Cornerstone
students, both legally (the former) and ethically (the latter). Unauthorized copying or use of
copyrighted materials, including downloaded files of various kinds, can result in criminal
charges and fines. Plagiarizing anothers words or ideas (passing them off as your own) can
result in loss of grade or failure. For a fuller explanation of these issues or of CUs copyright
policy, see Miller Librarys website under Help/FAQ see the FAQ concerning copyright and
plagiarism:http://library.cornerstone.edu/content.php?pid=125720&sid=1079827
FERPA
https://portal.cornerstone.edu/undergrad-divisions/Documents/FERPA%20Policy
%20Statement.pdf