Philosophy 1A: How Should I Think?

Description

This course will introduce students to the practice of thinking philosophically, by encouraging the development of critical reasoning skills and exploring issues pertaining to the nature and acquisition of knowledge . Students will apply their critical skills to issues of current interest and importance within society today. Course aims: This course aims to: ■ Introduce students to core reasoning skills. ■ Allow students to develop analytical thinking skills via (a) the identification and clarification of conceptual relationships and (b) the identification and evaluation of assumptions and arguments. ■ D evelop students' skills of interpretation, criticism, clarity, relevance, concise expression and sound argumentation. ■ Apply reasoning skills to important issues in today's world. ■ Engage with wider philosophical issues relating to the nature, possibility and scope of knowledge. Intended learning outcomes: By the end of this course students will be able to: ■ Explain and apply the concepts of logical structure, premise, conclusion, deductive validity, soundness, and other concepts central to logical argumentation. ■ Explain the value of critical thinking and argument analysis; identify and reconstruct arguments drawn from a variety of sources. ■ Identify and explain key rhetorical ploys and fallacies. ■ Apply critical and analytical skills to issues of current philosophical importance. ■ Analyse and critically evaluate theories and arguments from other areas of philosophy using reasoning skills acquired on this course. ■ Explain and evaluate competing theories on the nature and acquisition of knowledge.