* Department of Philosophy * Faculty of Philosophy * Vilnius University *
Philosophy on the Internet
Course Materials in Philosophy
Webpages created by my students Immanuel Kant
(Romas Degutis, The Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics)
INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
ECTS credits: 3
Contact hours: Lectures (32), Seminars (32 )
Assessment
Assigned reading, active participation at the classroom discussions and colloquiums, written paper for students who are seeking the best grade, course midterm tests (written) and final examination (written).
Assessment methods
The lectures present the attempt to combine historical and problem orientated approaches to subject.
The seminars concentrate on the dialog and debates based on the comparative analysis of reading texts from several different philosophical traditions.
Course syllabus
The course deals with the main themes and problems in philosophy: the origin and uniqueness of philosophical knowledge and wisdom, primary methods of philosophical inquiry, analysis, and criticism, a special language of philosophy. The selection of texts for reading assignments presents an attempt to illustrate what philosophical inquiry is and to explain why it is important to engage in it. Although the main attention is paid to the history of the Western philosophy the main aim of the course is not to impart information about which author said what. The aim is rather that students acquire the kind of skill in reasoning which will enable them to tackle problems of a philosophical character and to think intelligently about abstract questions like: being, knowledge, truth, values, society, etc.
Main objectives
To enable students to identify the constant state of transition in philosophy and main historical shifts, to recognize some of the basic content in various issues of philosophy, to demonstrate familiarity with the main areas of the philosophic discourse and to be able to state what major schools of thought there are that have contributed to the ongoing discussion of these issues, to develop skills of critical analysis and comparative studies; to enable students� ability to recognize links between philosophical theory and daily life.
