Year
2021
Units
4.5
Contact
2 x 1-hour lectures weekly
1 x 1-hour tutorial weekly
Enrolment not permitted
PHIL1010A has been successfully completed
Assessment
Assignment(s); Tutorial participation.
Topic description

This topic examines certain fundamental questions about ourselves, our world, and our place in the world. Questions include: Does God exist? Is the mind the brain? What is consciousness? What is knowledge? By thinking and writing about questions like these students will improve their ability to write clear, argumentative essays. No previous familiarity with philosophy is assumed.

Educational aims

This topic aims to:

  • Introduce students to philosophical issues concerning the existence of God
  • Introduce students to philosophical issues concerning the nature of mind
  • Introduce students to philosophical issues concerning the nature of knowledge
  • Improve students' ability to carefully express their views in written form
Expected learning outcomes
On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:

  1. State and critically assess arguments for and against the existence of God
  2. State and critically assess dualist and physicalist positions about the mind
  3. State and critically assess philosophical theories about the nature and scope of human knowledge
  4. Write a clear, carefully constructed, argumentative essay