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 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.

Credit Points

12.5

HECS Band

1

Coordinator

Dr Douglas 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

This subject forms 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, participation in tutorials and a 2-hour examination.

Prescribed Texts

A subject reader will be available.

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


Search : Index : Faculty of Arts : Philosophy
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