Search : Index : Faculty of Arts : Philosophy
Prev 161-003 Logic and Rationality: The Art of Good Reasoning
Next 161-005 Freedom and Constraint: Existentialism and Feminism

 161-004 Fundamental Questions in Philosophy

Note

Formerly available as 161-105. Students who have completed 161-105 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Availability

1st year

Credit Points

12.5

Coordinator

Dr Doug Adeney

Semester

1 (view timetable)

Contact

Two 1-hour lectures per week throughout the semester, and a 1-hour tutorial per week beginning the second week of semester

Subject Description

An introduction to some of the fundamental questions of philosophy, based upon one of the most influential philosophical works ever written - the Meditations of René 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

Two essays, one of 500 words and one of 1500 words, regular attendance and participation in tutorials, and a 2-hour examination.

Prescribed Texts

Materials prepared by the department.

  • R Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy. CUP 1996.


Search : Index : Faculty of Arts : Philosophy
Prev 161-003 Logic and Rationality: The Art of Good Reasoning
Next 161-005 Freedom and Constraint: Existentialism and Feminism
Status:                   Official 1999
Last Modified:            Tuesday October 20 11:48
SGML to HTML Conversion:  Information Technology Services
Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au