Key Thinkers in the History of Western Philosophy

RELT21072 Key Thinkers in the History of Western Philosophy 20 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 2 Scott Midson Unit coordinator Religions & Theology 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Middle part of Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 10.0 This course provides students with a grounding in the thought of the major thinkers of Western philosophy. The course is organised according to two principles.Firstly, the focus will be on those thinkers who have influenced religious thought. This determines the two main themes on which the course will focus, namely epistemology and ontology. Epistemology is the branch of philosophy concerned with how we know what we know, while ontology, or the ‘study of being’, is concerned with what is ‘really real’.Secondly, the course is organised according to the boarder philosophical movements to which the individual thinkers contributed. The course will thus fall into seven broad sections, covering Platonism, Aristotelianism, Idealism, Existentialism, Process Philosophy, Linguistic Philosophy, and Postmodernism. Each of these philosophies has had a profound effect on Christian theology, particularly with regard to such questions as to how God should be conceptualised and how it is possible to know anything about God. Among the thinkers to be studied are Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Descartes, Kant, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Whitehead, Heidegger, Wittgenstein and Derrida. The discussion of each philosophical movement will conclude with an examination of its influence on theology. This course provides students with a grounding in the thought of the major thinkers of Western philosophy. The course is organised according to two principles.Firstly, the focus will be on those thinkers who have influenced religious thought. This determines the two main themes on which the course will focus, namely epistemology and ontology. Epistemology is the branch of philosophy concerned with how we know what we know, while ontology, or the ‘study of being’, is concerned with what is ‘really real’.Secondly, the course is organised according to the boarder philosophical movements to which the individual thinkers contributed. The course will thus fall into seven broad sections, covering Platonism, Aristotelianism, Idealism, Existentialism, Process Philosophy, Linguistic Philosophy, and Postmodernism. Each of these philosophies has had a profound effect on Christian theology, particularly with regard to such questions as to how God should be conceptualised and how it is possible to know anything about God. Among the thinkers to be studied are Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Descartes, Kant, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Whitehead, Heidegger, Wittgenstein and Derrida. The discussion of each philosophical movement will conclude with an examination of its influence on theology. <ul> <li> To provide an opportunity for second year undergraduates to deepen their knowledge and understanding key thinkers and philosophical movements in the history of Western philosophy.</li> <li> To gain a deeper familiarity with some key notions in Western philosophy, namely, epistemology and ontology.</li> <li> To understand how key thinkers and philosophical movements have influenced religious thought.</li> <li> To appreciate the enduring relevance and importance of long-standing philosophical problems.</li></ul> <ul> <li> Demonstrate a deeper understanding of key thinkers and philosophical movements in the Western philosophical tradition.</li> <li> Demonstrate an understanding of the philosophical disciplines of epistemology and ontology.</li> <li> Understand how key philosophers and philosophical movements have influenced religious thought.</li></ul> <ul> <li> Enhance their ability to formulate clear and convincing arguments within essays.</li> <li> Demonstrate a greater ability to problematise intellectual positions that philosophers have taken.</li> <li> Learn to critically engage with both primary and secondary sources with a view to forming your own opinions.</li></ul> <ul> <li> Debate in a group setting (seminars) key philosophical concepts, movements, and thinkers.</li> <li> Conduct research by using more extensive primary and secondary material.</li></ul> <ul> <li> Have increased confidence in public speaking skills.</li> <li> Form reasoned arguments in other contexts.</li> <li> Recognise and critique other arguments or positions.</li></ul> The course will take both a historical and thematic approach to philosophy with each week’s two-hour lecture focusing on a significant philosophical movement in the history of Western philosophy. The lectures will be complemented by seminars, which will give students the opportunity to consolidate their knowledge and understanding of the issues covered in the lectures by engaging in the close reading of classic texts in Western philosophy. Knowledge transfer in lectures will be augmented and consolidated by means of group work on classic texts in seminars. 0 Other 100% <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width:274px;"> Assessment task</td> <td style="width:115px;"> Formative or Summative</td> <td style="width:124px;"> Length</td> <td style="width:143px;"> Weighting within unit (if summative)</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:274px;"> Literature Review</td> <td style="width:115px;"> Formative</td> <td style="width:124px;"> 1000 words</td> <td style="width:143px;">  </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:274px;"> Essay</td> <td style="width:115px;"> Summative</td> <td style="width:124px;"> 2500 words</td> <td style="width:143px;"> 50%</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:274px;"> Exam</td> <td style="width:115px;"> Summative</td> <td style="width:124px;"> 2 hours</td> <td style="width:143px;"> 50%</td> </tr> </tbody></table>  <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:662px;" width="662"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width:321px;"> Feedback method</td> <td style="width:340px;"> Formative or Summative</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:321px;"> Written feedback on literature review</td> <td style="width:340px;"> Formative</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:321px;"> Written feedback on essay</td> <td style="width:340px;"> Summative</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:321px;height:7px;"> Additional one-to-one feedback (during the consultation hour or by making an appointment)</td> <td style="width:340px;height:7px;"> Formative</td> </tr> </tbody></table>  Y Caputo, J.D., Philosophy and Theology, (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2006).Copleston, F., The History of Philosophy: Vol 1-11, (London: Continuum Press, 2003).Hondereich, T., The Oxford Companion to Philosophy: New Edition, (Oxford: OUP, 2005).Kenny, A., A New History of Western Philosophy, (Oxford: OUP, 2007).Magee, B., The Great Philosophers, (Oxford: OUP, 1987).Russell, B., History of Western Philosophy, (London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1945). Lectures 22 Seminars 11 0 167 Blackboard:Course content and week by week breakdown.Lecture hand-out/PowerPoint slides.Seminar readings.Additional links to primary texts.Turnitin for essay submission and assessment. Other scheduled teaching and learning activities:1 dedicated consultation hour per week A full description of this course can be found in MyManchester.