PHIL 2101: Introduction to the Problems of Philosophy (Lurz): Home

The aims of the course are to acquaint students with important philosophical works and theories in areas of knowledge, reality, and values; and to acquaint students with characteristic philosophical methods of analyzing concepst and critically evaluating arguments in support of theories. By the end of the semester, students are expected to be able to clearly express (in writing and speech) a few perennial philosophical issues (e.g., freedom of the will, the question of personal identity, the possibility and scope of knowledge, the objective status of moral values) and philosophical theories (e.g., determinism, compatibilism, skepticism, idealism, realism, relativism, and dualism). Students are expected to be familiar with a number of important philosophical figures (e.g., Descartes, Kant, and Mill), and be able to interpret and analyze key selections from the writings of these figures. Finally, students are expected to be able to identify, explain, and evaluate philosophical arguments.