Shortcut Links to Phil 1001 Course Webpages
Under weekly revision
3 Sept 2026
Short review and completion of previous class.
More: The Effects of Age, Biological Maturation and Sex on the Development of Executive Functions in Adolescents: “Four main EF factors are categorized during adolescence, i.e., inhibition, shifting, working memory and planning (Miyake et al., 2000; Laureys et al., 2021). Inhibition is associated with “the deliberate, controlled suppression of prepotent responses” (Miyake et al., 2000). Shifting concerns switching between multiple tasks, operations or mental sets (Miyake et al., 2000). Working memory refers to remembering, monitoring, coding incoming information and updating information (Miyake et al., 2000; Nemati et al., 2017); and planning is related to problem solving (Laureys et al., 2021). These four EF components (i.e., inhibition, planning, shifting, working memory) will further be used in this paper to determine EF performance during adolescence.”
Philosophy: Taking it personally: Personal interest can provide a source of curiosity, motivation, and engagement for learners (Dewey, 1913; Renninger & Hidi, 2016; Tobias, 1994; Wade, 2001). Interest combines both knowledge development and the values and positive emotions accompanying that development (Barron, 2006; Renninger & Hidi, 2016; Tobias, 1994). Psychological perspectives have situated interests within individual learners, as both a psychological quality and as a motivational attribute. Interests can be stimulated, maintained, and developed. Interests might become self-sustaining and support educational and career achievements. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2210656118301570
Further explanation of syllabus parts 1 & 2, exams, quizzes, homework and grading.
Quiz on the readings? Maybe, Maybe not. Be prepared! (Yes, a practice quiz.)
(i) discussion of Plato’s Apology & Student Notes Sheets; (ii) the value of outlines; (iii) sample quiz; (iv) using AI reminder.
============
1 Sept 2026
(i) The Good; (ii) dead cats and humans; (iii) the brain: language and meaning: univocity, equivocity, analogy
The Brain
Neurons & Synapses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0rHZ_RDdyQ
Neurotransmission: The Synapse: https://dana.org/resources/neurotransmission-the-synapse/
Neuroplasticity, NYTimes: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/science/neuroscience-brain-injury-pill.html?campaign_id=34&emc=edit_sc_20250909&instance_id=162190&nl=science-times®i_id=81431062&segment_id=205558&user_id=d8ad6a7537e7853b116652e7e40e471f
Brain Basics: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/public-education/brain-basics/brain-basics-know-your-brain
Lobes of the Brain and What They Control: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/anatomy-of-the-brain
Hippocampus and memory: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/memory
Building bodies, building brains: muscles and muscle suits: Men, Women
Gender differences: size and quantity (1) https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/battle-of-the-brain-men-vs-women-infographic (2) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6870411/ (3) https://stanmed.stanford.edu/how-mens-and-womens-brains-are-different/
Exercising your brains: (a) Electronic devices not permitted in class after 2 Sept.; (b) Attention (NYT Link); (c) Handwritten note sheets; (d) Complex thinking: Heraclitus; (e) using AI for this class: Faking it.
Handwriting and brain and memory development: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/05/11/1250529661/handwriting-cursive-typing-schools-learning-brain
Review and explanation of syllabus parts 1 & 2