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Dave Yount, Ph.D.
Faculty Chair - Philosophy
Philosophy & Religious Studies
Office: BP 43A - Room: BP 13
480-461-7833
Notices
- If you are a current or possible future student, Here Is My Course Material
- I'm the Advisor for the MCC Philosophy Club
To be put on our email list for the Philosophy Club or for more information, contact
Dr. Dave Yount @ (480) 461-7833 or david.yount@mesacc.edu
Office Hours
Profile
Dr. Dave Yount received his B.A. in philosophy and psychology from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, and his Masters and Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Dr. Yount began teaching at Mesa Community College in the Fall of 2000 and was chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies from 2004 - 2007. He is the author of Plotinus The Platonist: A Comparative Account of Plato and Plotinus’ Metaphysics (Bloomsbury, 2014), and Plato and Plotinus on Mysticism, Epistemology, and Ethics (Bloomsbury, 2017), and has written a biography of Plotinus in Meet the Philosophers of Ancient Greece (Ashgate Publishing, 2005). His main philosophical interests lie in ancient philosophy and Buddhism.
For brief synopses of other works he hopes to publish, go here.
Classes Taught
Spring 2024
| PHI201 | History of Ancient Philosophy | 3 Credits | ||||
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Historical survey of the intellectual history of the Greco-Roman world, focusing on the philosophical tradition and social/historical context. Prerequisites: None. |
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| General Education Designations: Historical Awareness [H], Humanities, Fine Arts & Design [HU] | ||||||
| Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
29238 |
Dobson Campus |
In Person
Lecture
|
01/17/2024 - 05/10/2024 |
MoWe |
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM |
Class Started |
| Book Information | ||||||
| PHI213 | Medical and Bio-Ethics | 3 Credits | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A philosophical consideration of moral problems that arise in relation to medicine and biology, e.g., death, patient's rights and biological experimentation. Prerequisites: None. |
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| General Education Designations: Humanities, Fine Arts & Design [HU] | ||||||
| Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
27332 |
Dobson Campus |
In Person
Lecture
|
01/17/2024 - 05/10/2024 |
MoWe |
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM |
Class Started |
| Book Information | ||||||
| PHI218 | Philosophy of Sexuality | 3 Credits | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Philosophical examination of sexuality in human life. Historical and critical survey of philosophical and theological views. Comparison and evaluation of contemporary theories about the nature of sexual desire and sexual acts. Implications of theories for contemporary moral problems. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101 or ENG107 or permission of Instructor. |
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| General Education Designations: Humanities, Fine Arts & Design [HU], Literacy & Critical Inquiry [L] | ||||||
| Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
31598 |
Dobson Campus |
In Person
Lecture
|
01/16/2024 - 05/10/2024 |
TuTh |
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM |
Class Started |
| Book Information | ||||||
31597 |
Dobson Campus |
In Person
Lecture
|
01/16/2024 - 05/10/2024 |
TuTh |
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM |
Class Started |
|
Notes: Honors Program Only |
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| Book Information | ||||||
Fall 2024
| PHI101 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 Credits | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
General consideration of human nature and the nature of the universe. Knowledge, perception, freedom and determinism, and the existence of God. Prerequisites: None. |
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| General Education Designations: Humanities, Fine Arts & Design [HU] | ||||||
| Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
14046 |
Dobson Campus |
In Person
Lecture
|
08/20/2024 - 12/13/2024 |
TuTh |
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM |
Open 16 of 20 |
| Book Information | ||||||
15051 |
Online Course |
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
|
08/19/2024 - 12/13/2024 |
Open 18 of 20 |
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Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.
Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information. |
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| Book Information | ||||||
| PHI212 | Contemporary Moral Issues | 3 Credits | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Philosophical consideration of such moral issues as civil disobedience, preferential treatment, abortion, privacy, sexual morality, and poverty and hunger. Prerequisites: None. |
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| General Education Designations: Humanities, Fine Arts & Design [HU] | ||||||
| Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
16110 |
Dobson Campus |
In Person
Lecture
|
08/20/2024 - 12/13/2024 |
TuTh |
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM |
Open 10 of 10 |
| Book Information | ||||||
14743 |
Dobson Campus |
In Person
Lecture
|
08/20/2024 - 12/13/2024 |
TuTh |
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM |
Open 8 of 10 |
|
Notes: Honors Program Only |
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| Book Information | ||||||
| PHI213 | Medical and Bio-Ethics | 3 Credits | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A philosophical consideration of moral problems that arise in relation to medicine and biology, e.g., death, patient's rights and biological experimentation. Prerequisites: None. |
||||||
| General Education Designations: Humanities, Fine Arts & Design [HU] | ||||||
| Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
14045 |
Dobson Campus |
In Person
Lecture
|
08/19/2024 - 12/13/2024 |
MoWe |
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM |
Open 18 of 20 |
| Book Information | ||||||
| PHI234AA | Plato | 3 Credits | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The ideas of Plato and Socrates and their impact on western thought. Prerequisites: None. |
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| General Education Designations: Humanities, Fine Arts & Design [HU] | ||||||
| Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
33826 |
Dobson Campus |
In Person
Lecture
|
08/19/2024 - 12/13/2024 |
MoWe |
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM |
Open 17 of 20 |
| Book Information | ||||||
Degrees & Awards
DEGREES:
Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1998.
MA in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1994.
BA in Philosophy and Psychology from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Magna Cum Laude, 1986.
AWARDS:
Phi Theta Kappa Mentor Awards, October 27, 2011 and November 13, 2009.
Sabbatical awarded to research for and submit Plotinus: The Platonist; Fall 2007 – Spring 2008.
Academy for Leadership and Development Certificate; October 2005.
MCC Club Advisor of the Year; May 2003.
Arizona Community College Lifetime Teaching Certificate; July 2001.
Phi Beta Kappa, University of Michigan; inducted April 19, 1986.
Class Honors, University of Michigan; 1983-1986.
James B. Angell Scholar, University of Michigan; 1985.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
American Philosophical Association, Lifetime Member.
University of Michigan Alumni Association, Lifetime Member.
Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy, Fall 1994 – Present.
International Society for Neoplatonic Studies, 1993 – Present.
MCCCD Faculty Association, Fall 2000 – Present.
American Philological Association, 2009.
MCC Department Chair Association, September 2004 – May 2007.
My Links
If you are a current or possible future student, Here Is My Course Material
Why I think philosophy is important, no matter what you do for a living
My response to Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow’s claim that philosophy is dead
My piece on Harry Potter and Plato
My review of Bill Maher's "Religulous" movie
Eight Arguments in Favor of Eating Meat and my Objections Thereto
For more of my writings, please look under "Dr. Y's Internet Writings," on my Home Page, Here
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