PHL 100 Introduction to Philosophy
This course considers central problems of Western philosophy with particular emphasis on epistemology and metaphysics, through analysis of writing by influential ancient, modern and contemporary philosophers in historical context. After a brief survey of ancient and medieval systems of thought, such as Platonism and scholasticism, attention is focused on modern systems of thought, such as rationalism, empiricism, idealism, pragmatism, existentialism and logical positivism. Time is divided between developing a understanding of the history of ideas on the one hand and considering the central philosophical questions as they apply here and now on the other. Students will study a wide range of philosophical writings, and will begin to develop their ability to produce rigorous analysis, systematic critique and careful thinking in their own writing.