Introduction to Philosophy
A broad overview of philosophy, including its major branches such as metaphysics, ethics, logic, and epistemology.
- Key Topics:
- What is Philosophy?
- Major Philosophical Questions
- Philosophical Methodology
History of Western Philosophy
Students explore the development of Western philosophy from the ancient Greeks to the modern era.
- Key Topics:
- Socratic Philosophy and Plato
- Aristotle and Hellenistic Philosophies
- Modern Philosophy (Descartes, Kant, Nietzsche)
Logic and Reasoning
The study of formal logic, argumentation, and reasoning techniques.
- Key Topics:
- Deductive and Inductive Logic
- Logical Fallacies
- Philosophy of Language
Ethics and Moral Philosophy
Focusing on the nature of morality, ethical decision-making, and key ethical theories.
- Key Topics:
- Utilitarianism, Deontology, Virtue Ethics
- Moral Dilemmas and Theories of Justice
- Applied Ethics (Bioethics, Environmental Ethics)
Metaphysics
Exploring the fundamental nature of reality, existence, and the universe.
- Key Topics:
- Existence and Reality
- Time, Space, and Causality
- Free Will vs. Determinism
Epistemology
The study of knowledge, belief, and justification.
- Key Topics:
- Theories of Knowledge
- Skepticism and Certainty
- Empiricism vs. Rationalism
Philosophy of Mind
Investigating the relationship between mind and body, consciousness, and cognition.
- Key Topics:
- Mind-Body Problem
- Consciousness and Perception
- Personal Identity
Philosophy of Science
The philosophical foundations of science, including the nature of scientific inquiry and the relationship between science and truth.
- Key Topics:
- Scientific Realism vs. Anti-Realism
- Theories of Scientific Change
- Ethics in Scientific Research