What is Philosophy

Summary

In this online course, 'Introduction to Philosophy (HUM 102)', Professor Riya Spartha Khan guides students through the essential themes and thinkers of philosophy. The course combines lecture videos and readings from John Chaffee's *The Philosopher's Way*, encouraging critical examination of key ideas like truth, justice, and ethics. Students will explore significant philosophical inquiries through the works of figures such as Plato, Descartes, and Nietzsche. While focusing on Western philosophy, the course excludes extensive coverage of ethics and non-Western traditions, paving the way for deeper understanding and critical thinking about our beliefs and values.

Takeaways

• 😀 This online course, Introduction to Philosophy (HUM 102), is guided by Professor Riya Spartha Khan from Brack University.
• 📚 The course includes lecture videos and weekly readings from John Chaffee's 'The Philosopher's Way' and original texts from key philosophers.
• 🔍 Philosophy seeks to uncover the hidden sources and values of our beliefs and ideas about truth, justice, and decency.
• ⚖️ Students will examine their own perspectives and question deeply held values, often leading to surprising insights.
• 🧠 Common sense can sometimes mislead us, as demonstrated by historical misconceptions like the flat Earth theory.
• 📖 The course will explore central philosophical issues, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and political philosophy.
• 🌍 Key philosophers studied will include Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, Hegel, Marx, and Nietzsche.
• 🚫 The course will not cover ethics extensively, as students are expected to have taken a separate course on ethics.
• 🌐 Non-Western philosophical traditions will be largely excluded from this course, though there are plans to address them in future offerings.
• 🗣️ A central aim of philosophy is to justify our beliefs and values, encouraging students to articulate their reasons and perspectives.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the course HUM 102?

The course focuses on a broad introduction to philosophy, examining key questions about knowledge, ethics, freedom, and the nature of reality.

Who is the instructor of the course, and what is her background?

The instructor is Riya Spartha Khan, a professor of history and philosophy at Brack University.

What types of materials will students engage with during the course?

Students will engage with lecture videos and weekly readings, primarily from John Chaffee's 'The Philosopher's Way' and other supplementary texts.

How does philosophy aim to impact students' understanding of common beliefs?

Philosophy seeks to question and justify our commonly held beliefs, making visible the assumptions we often take for granted.

What are some of the philosophical topics that will be covered in the course?

Topics include the nature of knowledge, the limits of human freedom, ethics, the good life, and forms of governance.

Which philosophical traditions will the course primarily focus on?

The course will primarily focus on the Western philosophical tradition, particularly classical philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, and Kant.

Why will ethics not be a primary focus of this course?

Ethics will not be covered in-depth because students are expected to have taken a separate course (HUM 103) that extensively addresses ethical theories.

What is the significance of questioning common sense in philosophy?

Questioning common sense is significant because it can reveal misleading assumptions, leading to a deeper understanding of truth and ethical conduct.

What does the course intend to achieve regarding students' beliefs and values?

The course intends to help students recognize, evaluate, and articulate the reasons behind their beliefs and values.

What rationale is given for not including non-Western philosophical traditions in depth?

Non-Western traditions will not be included extensively due to their complexity and the aim to propose a future course on world philosophy, ensuring they receive adequate focus.