Access the course community above. This is our place for communication, sharing, discussion and knowledge building.
Philosophy is the subject that specializes in exploring fundamental questions about the world and our place in it. For example: What is reality? What does it mean for me to ‘know’ something? What is reasoning? What is a Mind? Does God exist? How should I live, and who should decide? Philosophical discussion draws on imaginative speculation, scientific evidence, sustained reflection on lived experience, and the different histories, cultural perspectives and texts that shape current thought.
The aim of this course is to provide an overview of the key areas in the study of Philosophy and to get participants thinking philosophically. We will initially explore what philosophy actually is, some of the history and development of historical thought and then move into some key philosophical areas. The best way of studying philosophy is by doing it. This means there is a heavy emphasis on discussion and knowledge building with others in this course. Anyone enrolling should be enthusiastic about that prospect.
Philosophy cannot be done ‘solo’. In a philosophy course the participating students become a community with a shared interest in exploring and discussing ‘big’ questions. Anyone wanting to take this course will need to fully participate in ongoing online discussion, whether through social media type platforms or in the video conference. Discussion is a fundamental part of the course.
This is a multi-level course in which all students learn together. Students will be assessed at either L2 or L3 depending on what best meets their needs. NCEA Standards from the Religious Studies, History and/or Social Studies domain can be used for assessment. Alternative standards will be sourced for individuals where there is a clash with another course
As has been mentioned before this is a discussion based course that also places a high value on curiosity, exploration and team-work. In such an environment it is vital that everyone feels they can trust each other, are comfortable expressing themselves without judgement by others and are willing to work with, and off others. The following two weeks are designed to build a feeling of community
Work through the following tasks (generally in order of priority)
The next one to two weeks is entirely focused on discussion. I will post the following ‘big’ questions into the community as separate posts. Each of you then participates in each of them in whatever order or whatever time you want. The key is participation across the board. These two weeks are an important indicator of how willing you are to engage in discussion. It also serves as a valuable time to develop your ability to effectively engage in discussion.
HAVE FUN WITH THIS EVERYONE. WHEN ELSE HAVE YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND THIS AMOUNT OF TIME JUST DISCUSSING THINGS. PARTICIPATE. YOU WILL GET A NUDGE FROM ME IF YOU ARE A LITTLE QUIET
The current ‘Eternal Questions’ module is set up as a two week module. We have done one week, and what has developed over that time has been extremely impressive.
Now you need to develop those discussions further
As always, participation is key. This is your work for the week.
A part of the video conference next Thursday is an examination of the discussions. As you work through the week ensure you start taking note of some of the key ideas that have come out of them. We almost need to be able to create a small synthesis or summary of each main idea. For example one that has emerged is the whether or not suicide is acceptable. We will be pulling this out together and then assigning quick summaries. Be prepared. You will need to know the discussion well.
Objective: To research and curate useful philosophical sources on the eternal questions. To identify new questions | Time: Two Weeks |
Research and Curate |
The next one to two weeks is focused on gathering and identifying relevant philosophical sources. To do this we…
This is a very open approach to learning. I am not telling you what to do every day. It is up to you. You need to ensure you continue to participate and contribute to the community. It is not up to a select few.
Objective: To explore and develop our understanding of the most influential philosophers through the ages | Time: Two Weeks |
Over the next two weeks we will focus on building a broad foundational knowledge of the great philosophers and thinkers through the ages. In essence, some Historical Research. As our understanding of these thinkers grows we will use that knowledge to build up our wall of ‘Big’ Questions. This will provide us some direction for the rest of the year.
Tasks: