PHIL 101 - Introduction to Philosophy

(HUMD, GEIR, GEEL)

Introduction to philosophical analysis of the problem of knowledge, the problem of reality, and the problem of the good. Major philosophical attitudes of Western civilization are introduced. Special attention is paid to some of the philosophical implications of contemporary natural and social science. The basic themes of the course are that the major questions philosophy deals with are present in the lives of all persons; that we must clarify the questions, if possible, before we try to answer them; and that the basic questions are always concerned with the nature and meaning of human existence. PREREQUISITE(S): Second-year standing or consent of department. Assessment Level(s): ENGL 101 /ENGL 101A , MATH 050 , READ 120 . Three hours each week. Formerly PL 201.

3 semester hours

May not be taken concurrently withMATH 017 or MATH 020 or MATH 045 without appropriate Math assessment score.

Course Outcomes:
Upon course completion, a student will be able to:

Describe humankind’s perennial issues and questions in a thematic way: what is real, true, and good.
Demonstrate an understanding of basic questions in metaphysics such as questions of God, personal identity, and being in the world.
Identify historical and current interpretations of truth and knowledge.
Analyze ethical concepts such as what is good and what is right in a multicultural society.
Distinguish between aesthetic and non-aesthetic experiences.
Critically evaluate different schools of philosophical thinking.
Identify and critically examine metaphysical or epistemological assumptions of a representative philosopher.

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