Introduction to Philosophy
Overview
We take ourselves to know, but do we? We take ourselves to be free, but are we? What is the nature of the reality that we believe ourselves to live in? When are our actions moral? The oldest questions asked by human beings meet with the newest technology, to offer students the opportunity to explore these questions in this introductory online philosophy course.
Even as our knowledge continually expands, philosophical questions asked since the time of the Ancient Greek philosophers continue to perplex us. This course offers students the opportunity to explore four topics in philosophy - knowledge, reality, free will and morality. Through a series of guided readings, and participation in discussions and other online events, you will not only learn how philosophers have tackled these topics, but learn how to tackle them for yourselves.
Programme details
- Introduction to learning online
- Why do Philosophy?
- Knowledge
- Free Will
- The World
- Morality
We strongly recommend that you try to find a little time each week to engage in the online conversations (at times that are convenient to you) as the forums are an integral, and very rewarding, part of the course and the online learning experience.
Course aims
The aim of the course is to introduce students to central topics in philosophy. The objectives are to promote interest in philosophy, to develop an understanding of the nature of philosophical questions, and of ways in which these can be answered.
Teaching methods
- Guided reading of texts
- Group discussions of particular issues
- Questions to be answered in personal folders
- Debating from positions given rather than from personal belief (to hone skills of debate)
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will be able to:
- Understand the nature of philosophical problems.
- Understand the different ways of responding to these problems, be able to differentiate between them, and to evaluate them.
- Grasp philosophical concepts and terms and reason philosophically.
- Interpret and analyse a philosophical text.
- Participate in philosophical debates.
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/courses/introduction-to-philosophy-online?code=O19P441PHV