Introduction to Philosophy and Philosophers
This course provides a general introduction to philosophical questions and methods by exploring the work and lives of the most famous philosophers of the past.
Professor Zbysek Brezina, PhD
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(133)
What's included
15 live meetings
12 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
This course is a general introduction to philosophy based on an exploration of the work and lives of the most influential philosophers of the past. We will be surveying various philosophical topics in metaphysics, philosophy of mind, ethics, and political philosophy. Furthermore, students will learn to understand and assess the philosophical theories represented in works of philosophers such as Plato, Descartes, Locke, and Sartre. We will pay particular attention to the ethics (i.e., values and morals) of philosophy and the history of philosophy, both of which have shaped socially held beliefs, including the historical viewpoints of marginalized groups of people such as the Hussites in Bohemia. Also, in the course, there will be a strong emphasis on learning to discuss various philosophical issues, so class discussion will be an important component. Lesson 1: Socrates (470-399 BCE) Lesson 2: Plato (428-348 BCE) Lesson 3: Aristotle (384-322 BCE) Lesson 4: Saint Augustine (354-430) Lesson 5: Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Lesson 6: Machiavelli (1469-1527) Lesson 7: Descartes (1596-1650) Lesson 8: Spinoza (1632-1677) Lesson 9: Locke (1632-1704) Lesson 10: Rousseau (1712-1778) Lesson 11: Kant (1724-1804) Lesson 12: Hegel (1770-1831) Lesson 13: Marx (1818-1883) Lesson 14: Nietzsche (1844-1900) Lesson 15: Sartre (1905-1980) Some examples of questions for consideration: How can we be sure that there is an external world? Is the mind distinct from the brain? What is the self? Do we have free will? What makes an action morally right or wrong? What distribution of social goods is demanded by justice? Where did we come from? Why are we here and how should we live? Are humans innately good or evil? Can humans change their behavior? What makes us human? Why does suffering happen?
Learning Goals
This course is designed to introduce students to the practice of philosophy through the study of central philosophical questions and arguments, as represented by a selection of significant philosophers of the past. Just as important, however, is the ability to use this information productively. Thus, this class will also stress the ability to integrate the factual data into a basic understanding of the subject of philosophy. Rote memorization is not as important as the ability to produce and evaluate arguments based on historical/philosophical evidence.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The study of philosophy deals with some sensitive topics such as wars and death. Dr. Brezina takes great care to present the content in an age-appropriate manner.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
There are many sources that are used for teaching philosophy and history of philosophy in this course. Dr. Brezina studied various primary and secondary sources (articles, books, dissertations, etc.) during his years as a teacher and professor that will allow him to interpret philosophy objectively and address the full range of a variety of philosophy's histories. For example, Dr. Brezina will draw from these books, Five Dialogues by Plato, Plato Republic by G.M.A. Grube, On the Nature of Things by Lucretius, On Free Choice of the Will by Augustine, Enquiries Concerning Human Understanding and Concerning the Principles of Morales by David Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume, Women Philosophers of the Early Modern Period by Margaret Atherton, Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant, Meditations on First Philosophy by Descartes, Philosophical Essays G.W. Leibniz, and Introduction to Philosophy by John Perry and Michael Bratman, all of which are commonly used as objective and multi-cultural philosophy books and textbooks in U.S. higher education. Furthermore, Dr. Brezina will use various primary sources such as the Project Gutenberg, Philosophy Bookshelf, European Cultural Heritage Online, History of Women Philosophers, and Source Texts on Philosophy. (However, Dr. Brezina does not require students to purchase or use these books.)
Joined March, 2020
5.0
133reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
Doctoral Degree in History from Boston University
Dr. Brezina has taught philosophy and history at various university prep schools in Europe and the United States and as well as at several American colleges and universitiesReviews
Live Group Class
$375
for 15 classes1x per week, 15 weeks
50 min
Completed by 4 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-17
2-10 learners per class
