Introduction to Philosophy

This course is intended to provide an overview of some of the central issues in philosophy. Its objective is to introduce philosophical topics and problems in a form suitable for students with little or no prior background in the subject. The course will focus on five main areas: human life and its meaning; knowledge and certainty; metaphysics; philosophy of mind; political philosophy. The course also aims to improve students’ skills in critical thinking and oral communication through participation in class discussion. The course will cover five core areas of philosophy and will be broken down into five thematic teaching blocks. The following topics will be discussed:

1. Human life and its meaning.

In this block, philosophical treatments of the meaning and worth of human life will be explored. Beginning with some of the answers offered by thinkers in the ancient world, the block will move forward to our own day, exploring the substance of a selection of answers, as well as the appropriateness of the question itself.

2. Knowledge and certainty.

In this block, basic issues in epistemology such as ‘what can we know for certain?’ will be examined through classic readings in idealism, empiricism and common-sense realism.

3. Metaphysics.

In this block, basic issues concerning what exists, and the nature of what exists, will be examined through a selection of premodern and modern texts.

4. Mind and body.

In this block, a selection from classic topics in philosophy of mind such as the nature of mind, its relationship to the body, and the problem of consciousness will be considered.

5. Political philosophy.

In this block, central topics in political philosophy such as freedom of speech, the just distribution of resources, and whether it is ever right to disobey the law will be examined.

The course will be taught by a mixture of lectures, tutor-led discussions and group work. Students will be encouraged to read relevant material before each class, including extracts from the works of key philosophers. The tutor will then develop discussion based on the reading and encourage the students to develop their understanding of the basic issues and the particular approach of the reading to that topic, and to engage critically with that approach. Emphasis will be placed on developing both an understanding of key philosophical positions and a willingness and ability to assess critically those positions.

On completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of basic issues in philosophy, for example scepticism concerning knowledge;

• Identify the positions of some philosophers on these issues;

• Critically read examples of historical and contemporary philosophical texts;

• Analyse and assess philosophical arguments and the concepts that they employ;

• Convey ideas and arguments in a well-structured and coherent form.

Essential:

• Cottingham, J., ed. 2008. Western Philosophy: An Anthology, 2nd ed. Oxford: Blackwell.

Recommended:

• Blackburn, S., 1999. Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Nagel, T., 1987. What Does It All Mean? A Very Short Introduction to Philosophy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Warburton, N., 2012. Philosophy: the Basics, 5th ed. London: Routledge.