Short Introduction To Philosophy For Complete Beginners

A great way to ease into philosophy, develop key skills, and expand your understanding of yourself and the world!

What you'll learn

Become familiar with philosophy, different areas in philosophy, and periods in the history of philosophy

Understand and formulate philosophical questions

Understand and reproduce some answers to important philosophical questions

Learn or develop critical thinking and the ability to formulate arguments and counter-arguments

Requirements

No previous knowledge of philosophy is needed. The course will help you to learn philosophy and how to philosophize as you go.

Description

Have you ever wondered about what it all means? Why we exist? What our purpose is on earth? Or perhaps you've thought about whether you're really free, what the best political system is, or how to make moral decisions? Perhaps you've heard about philosophy and want to get into it, but you're not exactly sure how to do that? Perhaps you have no idea at all what philosophy is, but some of these questions have been bugging you–or perhaps you're naturally curious and reflective. If so, then this course is definitely for you!This course is perfect for total beginners. It will introduce you to philosophy in engaging and memorable ways! You will learn what philosophy is, how to philosophize, as well as gain specific skills that you can use in other studies, academic fields, or areas of life!This course will give you a solid foundation in philosophy: it will teach you the features of philosophical questions, some of the areas within philosophy, the periods in the history of philosophy, and the questions that these areas and the great thinkers in them ask, as well as some answers to enduring philosophical questions.Also included in this course: quick quizzes, online resources, study tips, book and film recommendations, tests, and what you can do after or while studying philosophy.

Overview

Section 1: Preliminaries

Lecture 1 Welcome

Lecture 2 Introduction: Teacher Intro; course outline

Lecture 3 What is philosophy? What is a philosophical question?

Lecture 4 Why study philosophy? What can you do with philosophy?

Lecture 5 Free online philosophy texts

Lecture 6 Areas in philosophy

Lecture 7 History of philosophy: the Ancient period

Lecture 8 History of philosophy: the Medieval period

Lecture 9 History of philosophy: the Modern period

Lecture 10 History of philosophy: the Contemporary period

Lecture 11 Philosophy resources, tips, suggested media, etc.

Lecture 12 Why did philosophy begin in Ancient Greece? Part 1

Lecture 13 Why did philosophy begin in Ancient Greece? Part 2

Section 2: Deepening

Lecture 14 What does it mean to be free? Human freedom according to Jean-Paul Sartre

Lecture 15 Who should rule? The Social Contract according to Thomas Hobbes - part 1

Lecture 16 Who should rule? The Social Contract according to Thomas Hobbes - part 2

Lecture 17 Who should rule? The Social Contract according to Thomas Hobbes - part 3

Lecture 18 Who should rule? Plato on democracy

Lecture 19 Who should rule? Plato on the philosopher-kings

Lecture 20 What can I know? Descartes' search for certainty

Lecture 21 What or who am I? What is the human being? Plato on the immortal soul- part 1

Lecture 22 What or who am I? What is the human being? Plato on the immortal soul - part 2

Lecture 23 What or who am I? What is the human being? Marcel on embodiment

Lecture 24 What should I do? J. S. Mill's utilitarianism

Secondary school students, university students, general public, anyone curious about philosophy