Welcome to Introduction to Philosophy
SUBJECT OVERVIEW
TEACHER: Dr Patricia Grant (patricialouisegrant@gmail.com)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this first subject of the philosophical biennium is to introduce students to the nature and importance of philosophical reflection, as well as the main characteristics of its working method. The definition, nature and parts of Philosophy will be explained, as well as the dynamic relationship between philosophical knowledge and the other human and natural sciences. The various aspects of philosophical methodology – the descriptive moment, the argumentative moment, etc. – will also be exposed, as well as a synthetic panorama of the various disciplines in which Philosophy is structured. It will be shown, on the one hand, how Philosophy, which has a true scientific autonomy by virtue of its own method, not only can, but must be helped by faith; and, on the other hand, that philosophical knowledge contributes to the deepening of Christian truth, that is, to the development of theological thought. Students will be made aware of the importance of the classical-Christian philosophical tradition, especially St Thomas Aquinas, and the orientations of the Church’s Magisterium on Philosophy, especially from the Encyclical Æterni Patris to the Second Vatican Council and the documents of the later Pontiffs (in particular the Encyclical Fides et Ratio).
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this course students should:
- Be familiar with key figures in the history of philosophy and evaluate it from the perspective of classical-Christian tradition
- Understand and explain the nature of philosophical reflection
- Understand and explain the importance of philosophical reflection for human flourishing
- Understand and explain the relationship between science and philosophy
- Understand and explain the importance of philosophy for the study of the Christian faith and theology
- Be familiar with the orientations of the Church’s Magisterium on Philosophy
- Identify philosophical errors underlying problematic ways of thinking in society and culture
PROGRAM
The course will cover the following topics:
- Brief History of the Concept of Philosophy
- The Nature of Philosophy
- Philosophy in human life
- Philosophy and the sciences
- Philosophy, Christian Faith and Theology
- Philosophy and the Church
- Method and principal areas of philosophy
The subject program is available here VIEW
ASSESSMENT
- Description: Create a video
- Length: 5-10 minutes
- Weighting: 100%
- Due Date: 13 January
- How to submit: email to (patricialouisegrant@gmail.com)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Artigas, M., Introduction to Philosophy, Sinag Tala, Manila, 1984.
De Torre, J., Christian Philosophy, Sinag Tala, Manila, 1980.
Sullivan, D., An Introduction to Philosophy: Perennial Principles of the Classical Realist Tradition, TAN, 1992
Reading list by topic:
Brief History of the Concept of Philosophy
De Torre, J., (2011), Christian Philosophy, Manila: Sinag Tala, Part II, Chapter 10, Part VII, Chapter 44
Podcast – “History of philosophy without any gaps”
The Nature of Philosophy
Artigas, M., (1990) Introduction to Philosophy, Manila: Sinag Tala, Part I, Chapter 1
What is Philosophy? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A_CAkYt3GY [start at 2 minutes, end at 8-minute mark]
Philosophy in Human Life
Artigas, M., (1990) Introduction to Philosophy, Manila: Sinag Tala, Part I, Chapter 2
Philosophy and the Sciences
Artigas, M., (1990) Introduction to Philosophy, Manila: Sinag Tala, Part I, Chapter 3
Philosophy, Christian Faith and Theology
Artigas, M., (1990), Introduction to Philosophy, Manila: Sinag Tala, Part III, Chapters 1 & 2
De Torre, J., (2011), Christian Philosophy, Manila: Sinag Tala, Part II, Chapter 4
Philosophy and the Church
Artigas, M., (1990) 0Introduction to Philosophy, Manila: Sinag Tala, Part III, Chapters 3 & 4
7 Reasons to LOVE St Thomas Aquinas (an Introduction to the Angelic Doctor)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvvtC6f8gpQ
Method and Principal Areas of Philosophy
Artigas, M., (1990) Introduction to Philosophy, Manila: Sinag Tala, Part I, Chapter 4