Unit 2540: Comprehensive Philosophy

1. The History of Philosophy

1.1 Ancient Philosophy

• Overview of early philosophical thought
• Key figures: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
• Major ideas: Forms, virtue, logic

1.2 Medieval Philosophy

• Synthesis of philosophy and theology
• Key figures: Augustine, Aquinas, Anselm
• Topics: Faith and reason, existence of God

1.3 Modern Philosophy

• Rationalism and empiricism
• Key figures: Descartes, Locke, Hume, Kant
• Developments: Scientific method, epistemological inquiry

1.4 Contemporary Philosophy

• Analytic vs. continental traditions
• Key figures: Wittgenstein, Heidegger, Sartre
• Themes: Language, existentialism, postmodernism

2. Metaphysics and Epistemology

2.1 Metaphysics

• Nature of reality and existence
• Concepts: Substance, causality, identity, free will
• Debate: Materialism vs. idealism

2.2 Epistemology

• Nature and scope of knowledge
• Sources of knowledge: Perception, reason, intuition
• Concepts: Truth, belief, justification
• Skepticism and the limits of knowledge

3. Ethics and Moral Philosophy

3.1 Ethical Theories

• Utilitarianism: Principle of greatest happiness
• Deontology: Duty and rules (Kantian ethics)
• Virtue ethics: Character and moral virtues (Aristotle)
• Ethical relativism: Cultural and individual perspectives

3.2 Moral Dilemmas and Decision-Making

• Case studies and practical applications
• Ethical reasoning and problem-solving

3.3 Nature of Morality

• Objective vs. subjective morality
• Moral realism and anti-realism

4. Political Philosophy

4.1 Theories of Justice

• Distributive justice, fairness, equality
• Rawls’ theory of justice

4.2 Rights, Power, and Authority

• Natural rights and social contract theory
• Key thinkers: Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau

4.3 Governance and Political Structures

• Democracy, authoritarianism, liberalism
• Role of the state and individual freedom

5. Philosophy of Mind and Consciousness

5.1 Nature of Mind and Consciousness

• Definitions and key questions
• Phenomenal and access consciousness

5.2 Mind-Body Problem

• Dualism vs. physicalism
• Functionalism and emergentism

5.3 Free Will and Personal Identity

• Determinism and libertarianism
• Theories of the self and personal continuity

6. Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art

6.1 Nature of Beauty and Art

• Definitions and concepts of beauty
• Theories of art: Formalism, expressionism, institutional theory

6.2 Aesthetic Experience and Interpretation

• Subjective vs. objective interpretations
• Role of context and culture

6.3 Art in Society

• Art’s social, political, and ethical roles
• Creativity and artistic freedom

7. Philosophy of Religion

7.1 Arguments for the Existence of God

• Ontological, cosmological, teleological arguments

7.2 Religious Experience and Faith

• Nature and validity of religious experience
• Relationship between faith and reason

7.3 Religious Language and the Problem of Evil

• Symbolism and literalism in religious discourse
• Theodicy and responses to the problem of evil