Introduction To Philosophy[1]

What is it all about?

Who are you?

Why are you here?

What is real?

How do you know?

One of the reasons we study philosophy is to search for a better understanding of ourselves both as individuals and as members of groups and wider communities.

The Core Theme offers candidates the opportunity to do this from: the more epistemological perspective of

analytical philosophy and from the more ethical perspective of

existential philosophy.

Mind and Body

The Human Condition

What is a person? The question of self, the relationship of mind and body.

Manifestations of personhood: self-consciousness, language, agency, dreams, imagination, intuition, passion, reason and emotion.

Could animals or machines be persons? The universality of human nature and the

diversity of individuals. The question of self: Is it possible to know

oneself? To know others? Solipsism and intersubjectivity.

Freedom and determinism.

Interpretations of ‘human nature’: language use, sociability, empathy, aggression, creativity, play, reason and autonomy.

Interpretations of ‘the human condition’: our existence in time and space; biological and social necessities; gender and social conditioning.

Existential anxiety; meaning and meaninglessness.

Freedom, responsibility and authenticity. Nihilism versus the invention of values.

Philosophy of Religion – Is it possible to prove Gods existence? An investigation into the uses and limitations of language.

Philosophy of Ethics – What does it mean to say something is good? How do we make moral decisions? An investigation into nature of moral behaviour.

In order to extend your knowledge and understanding of philosophy, you will come into contact with at least some of the recognized and valued texts in philosophy.

Each text presents a unique challenge and it is the teacher’s responsibility to select the text or texts which are most suited to the students.

The texts are either examples of influential, classical works, or examples of important developments in modern philosophy.

The purpose of the study of a philosophical text is for you to achieve an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a challenging piece of work.

At the same time, you are expected to develop the skills required to undertake a critical analysis of the text.

Charles Taylor, The Ethics of Authenticity

Friedrich Nietzsche, The Genealogy of Morals

Plato, The Republic, Books V–IXLao Tzu, Tao de Ching

There are traditionally 55 main branches i.e.:- LOGIC AESTHETICS METAPHYSICS ETHICS EPISTEMOLOGY

This branch of Philosophy deals with the METHOD of argument.

It offers answers to questions such as: “Is that reasoning sound?” “Is that statement true?” “Is that conclusion valid ?”

This branch deals with beautybeauty in Music and Art.

It offers answers to questions like: “Is that good music?” “Is that painting better than this one ?”

This branch deals with the question of REALITY and BEING.

It deals with questions about the non-physical world, such as :-

“Do angels exist?” and “What do we mean by realreal?”

This branch is also known as MORAL PHILOSOPHY.

It deals with questions about right and wrong, e.g.

“Is morality subjective?” “What makes actions “right” and “wrong“wrong”?”

This branch deals with the theory of knowledge.

It considers questions like:- “How can we possibly knowknow anything?” “Is there such a thing as certainty?”

Take a look at the following claims and decide whether they are predominantly epistemological, metaphysical, logical, ethical, or aesthetic in nature.