Introduction to Philosophy

Used as a critical first step in helping you step into the field of philosophy, during the course, you will examine the history of Western thought, from Greek philosophy through the intellectuals of today, in addition to diving into various thematic topics.

What you’ll learn

  • Gain valuable critical-thinking skills
  • Understand the main ideas of existentialism
  • Evaluate the concepts of free will and determinism
  • Study famous Greek philosophers up to the cutting-edge intellectuals of today
Introduction to Philosophy

$79

Plus membership

3 Credits

All courses include:

eTextbooks

2 to 3-day turnaround for grading

Multiple chances to improve your grade

On-demand tutoring & writing center

Student support 7 days a week

$79

Plus membership

3 Credits

All courses include:

eTextbooks

2 to 3-day turnaround for grading

Multiple chances to improve your grade

On-demand tutoring & writing center

Student support 7 days a week

Introduction to Philosophy

$79

Plus membership

3 Credits

About This Course

|
ACE Approved 2023

The Introduction to Philosophy online course is critical in helping you step into the field of philosophical inquiry. After defining philosophy and identifying the major fields of philosophical study, our Intro to Philosophy course examines the history of Western thought, from the famous Greek philosophers up to the cutting-edge intellectuals of today. During your studies, you will dive into various thematic topics, including metaphysics, epistemology, free will and determinism, evil and the existence of God, personal identity, ethical values, and political philosophy.

Course Outcomes

Identify the major philosophical controversies.

Evaluate the Socratic method and the basic principles of logic.

Evaluate the Socratic method and the basic principles of logic.

Analyze the concepts of empiricism with reference to the theories of Locke, Hume, and Berkeley.

Analyze Kant's theory that experience is the result of sense data processed by the mind and relate it to modern cognitivism and constructivism.

Explore the concepts of structuralism and deconstruction.

Understand the main ideas of existentialism as a counter to Hegelian Absolute Idealism.

Examine some modern approaches to the debate on the mental-physical divide.

Compare the approaches of Kant, Nietzsche, and the pragmatists to the concept of knowledge.

Analyze the theories that see mental states as functional states and examine their implications.

Critically evaluate the concepts of free will and determinism.

Examine the cosmological arguments for the existence of God.

Compare theories that insist on universal values with those that argue that values are culture-specific.

Critically examine theories that see the self as a self-generating process rather than as a static entity.

Compare Mill's and Marx's views on the relation between the individual and the state.

Examine the teachings of Taoism, Confucianism, Zen Buddhism and other Eastern influences on philosophy.

Read Less

Course Text

Prefer the hard copy? Simply purchase from your favorite textbook reseller; you will still get the eTextbook for free. This text is provided digitally as part of the course enrollment. Students may find used, new, or rental print copies.

Philosophy: The Power of Ideas

Moore, Brooke Noel and Kenneth Bruder. Philosophy: The Power of Ideas, 10th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2019. ISBN: 9781259320521

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