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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Arts : Philosophy

161-105 Fundamental Questions in Philosophy

Credit Points:

12.5 1st year

Coordinator:

Dr Barry Taylor

Timetable:

Semester 1

Contact:

Three hours a week

Subject Description:

An introduction to the some of the fundamental questions of philosophy, based upon one of the most influential philosophical works ever written - the Meditations of Rene Descartes. Could the world be an illusion - say, a dream? Does God exist? Am I more than a mere body? Can these questions be settled by reason? By studying Descartes' thought on questions such as these, students should attain a recognition of the distinctive nature of philosophical thinking and of the relevance of such thinking to other disciplines, and achieve a sound basis for further work in philosophy.

Assessment:

One 2000-word essay during the semester (50 %) and a 2-hour end-of-semester examination (50 %).

Prescribed Texts:

Additional teaching material will be made available in booklet form from the Philosophy Department.

  • Rene Descartes (trans. John Cottingham), Meditations on First Philosophy, Cambridge Univ Press, 1986.
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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Arts : Philosophy 
Status:                   OFFICIAL 1997
Last Modified:            Wednesday March 12 3:36 pm
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Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1997.