Introduction to Philosophy
Module Code: 402PIP Credits: 10 Contact Hours: 30 Level: 4 Lecturer: Seamus Mulholland OFM
Syllabus
This module will begin by raising the question of the necessity and importance of philosophy and will then ask what makes a question philosophical. From these questions there will emerge some key features of the nature of the philosophical quest. A number of philosophical issues will be addressed and reflections of philosophers across the ages on these issues will be examined.
The first area will be that of Metaphysics with a study of texts from Plato. This will be followed by an introduction to Epistemology, text studies being taken from John Locke. The third thematic area is that of the relationship between reason and faith using the writings of Kierkegaard as a basis for discussion. The question of the understanding of the self forms the next area of focus, with Sartre being used as a basis for discussion. The final theme is that of Politics, Society and the Individual, the chosen text being taken from the writings of John Stuart Mill.
Aims
- to encourage an interest in philosophy as a critical approach to human thinking
- to create the realisation that in studying philosophy, students are already doing philosophy
- to create an awareness that philosophical questioning has concerned people of all ages and times
Assessment
This module will be assessed through a 2000 word essay.
Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of this module students will be expected
- to have acquired a knowledge and understanding of the way in which philosophers investigate philosophical problems
- to have acquired the skills to be able to express philosophical understanding of the basic concepts of metaphysics, epistemology, knowledge, truth, rationality, belief, the self, the self and society.
- to have developed the ability to comprehend, analyse, interpret and evaluate the chosen philosophical texts
- to have developed the skill of synthesising the knowledge gained from the textual study into judgement about the question or problem.
sending...
