Course: Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 201/F09) — Instructor: Steve Naragon

Course Objectives

After a semester of hard work, deep confusion, and more hard work, you will have:

(1) become acquainted with the nature of Western philosophy and some of its perennial concerns; (2) further developed your logical and analytic skills for critically evaluating arguments and beliefs; (3) had the opportunity to reflect on some of the most pressing questions confronting each of us as human beings (once our material needs are met), such as: Is there an objective difference between right and wrong, and true and false? If there is, can we come to know it? Can we prove or disprove the existence of God? What is it to be human?

You will be asked in this course to learn and understand various concepts and theories and arguments; but in doing this, you will also be developing your skills in thinking critically and creatively about the world around you, and about the role you see yourself playing in it.

After this semester, most of you will never again be asked to explain Descartes’s argument against skepticism or Kant’s moral theory, but all of you will be required to live — and this you can do either intelligently or not, either well or not. You can aim to live lives of wonder, filled with beauty, and seeking truth — or not.

More detailed learning objectives are listed under each reading module.

Manchester College // Registrar // Department of Religion and Philosophy // Last updated: 18 Aug 2009