PHI105P Introduction to Philosophy
Course Description
In this course, philosophical thinking and reasoning are introduced through the evaluation of the historical development, key contributors, and principle issues of philosophy. Topical areas include both Western and Eastern philosophy, moral and political philosophy, religious philosophy, as well as feminism. Student activities include, but are not limited to, creating campaign ads for fictional political parties, writing a letter in the persona of a historical philosopher, and creating a PowerPoint® presentation that expresses personal philosophies.
Topics and Objectives
The Beginnings: Metaphysics and Epistemology
- Recognize the role of argument and logic in various divisions of philosophy.
- Compare and contrast the philosophical views of pre-Socratic philosophers.
- Compare and contrast the philosophical views of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
- Describe Christianity's impact on metaphysical philosophy.
Western Philosophy: 17th-19th Centuries
- Identify the key contributions of Renaissance philosophers.
- Identify the historical developments of philosophy from the 17th to the 19th century.
Western Philosophy: 20th-21st Centuries
- Describe the relationship between Continental philosophy and Hegelian idealism.
- Describe the historical development, key contributors, and principle issues of pragmatism, analytic philosophy, and the philosophy of mind.
Moral and Political Philosophy
- Recognize the connection between moral and political philosophies.
- Outline the historical development of moral and political philosophies.
Traditional and Modern Ethics
- Differentiate between traditional and modern moral and political ethics.
Belief in God
- Outline the historical development, key contributors, and principle issues of religious philosophy.
Eastern Influences
- Identify the key contributors and principle issues of Eastern philosophy.
Other Voices
- Discuss the cause of feminism's transition of thought from feminism's First Wave to its Second Wave.
- Compare and contrast philosophy's historical development in Africa, the Americas, and Asia.
Making Connections
- Develop a viewpoint concerning principal philosophical issues.
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