Introduction to Philosophy

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/philosophy

Introduction

### Course Review: Introduction to Philosophy on Coursera If you’ve ever pondered over life’s fundamental questions or felt a desire to explore the depths of human thought, then the *Introduction to Philosophy* course on Coursera is the perfect gateway for you. Offered in a well-structured format, this course provides a fascinating insight into various philosophical disciplines through engaging lectures from renowned philosophers. #### Overview of the Course The *Introduction to Philosophy* course presents participants with an opportunity to delve into contemporary philosophical issues guided by experts in the field. The course is designed to break down the complexities of philosophy into digestible modules, making it accessible for both newcomers and those looking to refresh their philosophical knowledge. #### Syllabus Highlights 1. **What is Philosophy? (Dr. Dave Ward)** This opening module lays the foundation for philosophical inquiry by addressing what philosophy entails. Dr. Ward explores its distinctive aims and methodologies while differentiating it from other subjects. Importantly, he also touches upon the relevance of philosophical questions in our everyday lives, setting an engaging tone for the rest of the course. 2. **Morality: Objective, Relative or Emotive? (Dr. Matthew Chrisman)** The exploration of morality invites students to grapple with profound questions regarding the nature of good and evil. This module introduces various theories about moral beliefs, encouraging critical thinking about the factors that form our ethical convictions. 3. **What is Knowledge? And Do We Have Any? (Professor Duncan Pritchard)** This module tackles epistemology, prompting students to reflect on the essence of knowledge itself. Professor Pritchard’s discourse on radical skepticism captivates and challenges participants to evaluate the validity of their own claims to knowledge. 4. **Do We Have an Obligation to Obey the Law? (Dr. Guy Fletcher)** Delving into legal philosophy, this engaging module stimulates discussion on the nature of laws and our moral obligations toward them. Dr. Fletcher invites critical examination of different philosophical standpoints surrounding legal compliance. 5. **Should You Believe What You Hear? (Dr. Allan Hazlett)** In a world inundated with information, Dr. Hazlett's examination of testimony and trust becomes particularly relevant. By exploring the works of Hume and Reid, students are encouraged to assess the reliability of knowledge gained from others. 6. **Minds, Brains, and Computers (Dr. Suilin Lavelle)** This thought-provoking module invites students to explore the nature of consciousness and its alignment with computers and neural functions. Dr. Lavelle’s insights into the philosophy of mind bridge contemporary psychology with philosophical inquiry. 7. **Are Scientific Theories True? (Professor Michela Massimi)** This session sheds light on the age-old debate concerning the truth of scientific theories. The clash between scientific realists and anti-realists prompts students to critically engage with their understanding of scientific progress. 8. **Do We Have Free Will and Does It Matter? (Dr. Elinor Mason)** In this engaging examination of free will versus determinism, Dr. Mason challenges students to reflect on accountability and moral responsibility in light of determinist theory. 9. **Time Travel and Philosophy (Dr. Alasdair Richmond)** This imaginative module encourages exploration of metaphysical questions surrounding time travel. Dr. Richmond’s thought experiments push the boundaries of philosophical thought, making for a truly enriching experience. 10. **Peer Review** The course culminates in a peer review process that encourages students to engage with and critique each other's insights, reinforcing community learning and fostering dialogue. #### Recommendations The *Introduction to Philosophy* course stands out for its structured approach to complex topics and the expertise of its instructors. Each module is designed to stimulate inquiry and promote critical thinking, making it an excellent choice for anyone interested in philosophical exploration. **Who Should Take This Course?** - **Beginners**: If you're new to philosophy, this course is presented in an accessible format that doesn't assume prior knowledge. - **Curious Learners**: For those interested in deepening their understanding of fundamental philosophical issues, this course serves as a rich source of insight. - **Students in Related Fields**: Those studying psychology, law, or sciences will find connections and enhancements to their existing knowledge through philosophical frameworks. #### Conclusion In a world where asking 'why' holds profound significance, engaging with the *Introduction to Philosophy* course on Coursera is not just intellectually rewarding; it’s essential for cultivating a broader, more critical understanding of the world. With its robust syllabus and esteemed instructors, this course is highly recommended for anyone ready to embark on a philosophical journey.

Syllabus

What is Philosophy?

(Dr. Dave Ward) We’ll start the course by thinking about what Philosophy actually is: what makes it different from other subjects? What are its distinctive aims and methods? We'll also think about why the questions that philosophers attempt to answer are often thought to be both fundamental and important, and have a look at how philosophy is actually practiced. Finally, we'll briefly touch upon two very influential philosophers' answers to the question of how we can know whether, in any given case, there really is a right way of thinking about things.

(Dr. Matthew Chrisman) We all live with some sense of what is good or bad, some feelings about which ways of conducting ourselves are better or worse. But what is the status of these moral beliefs, senses, or feelings? Should we think of them as reflecting hard, objective facts about our world, of the sort that scientists could uncover and study? Or should we think of moral judgements as mere expressions of personal or cultural preferences? In this module we’ll survey some of the different options that are available when we’re thinking about these issues, and the problems and prospects for each.

(Professor Duncan Pritchard) We know a lot of things – or, at least, we think we do. Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that studies knowledge; what it is, and the ways we can come to have it. In this module, we’ll take a tour through some of the issues that arise in this branch of philosophy. In particular, we’ll think about what radical scepticism means for our claims to knowledge. How can we know something is the case if we’re unable to rule out possibilities that are clearly incompatible with it?

(Dr. Guy Fletcher) The laws of a state govern what we can and cannot do within that state. But do we have an obligation to obey those laws? In this module, we'll discuss this question, together with some of the main positions that philosophers have developed in response to it. We'll start off by examining what obeying the law means exactly. Then we'll look at three factors that might form the basis of an obligation to follow the law. Finally, we'll discuss what the consequences might be if the problem can't be solved.

(Dr. Allan Hazlett) Much of what we think about the world we believe on the basis of what other people say. But is this trust in other people's testimony justified? In this module, we’ll investigate how this question was addressed by two great philosophers of the Scottish Enlightenment, David Hume (1711 - 1776) and Thomas Reid (1710 - 1796). Hume and Reid's dispute about testimony represents a clash between two worldviews that would continue to clash for centuries: a skeptical and often secular worldview, eager to question everything (represented by Hume), and a conservative and often religious worldview, keen to defend common sense (represented by Reid).

(Dr. Suilin Lavelle) If you’re reading this, then you’ve got a mind. But what is a mind, and what does it take to have one? Should we understand minds as sets of dispositions to behave in certain ways, as patterns of neural activation, or as akin to programmes that are run on the computational hardware of our brains? In this module, we’ll look at how and why recent philosophy of mind and psychology has embraced each of these options in turn, and think about the problems and prospects for each.

(Professor Michela Massimi) In this module we will explore a central and ongoing debate in contemporary philosophy of science: whether or not scientific theories are true. Or better, whether a scientific theory needs to be 'true' to be good at all. The answer to this question comes in two main varieties. Scientific realists believe that theories ought to be true in order to be good. We will analyse their main argument for this claim (which goes under the name of 'no miracles argument'), and some prominent objections to it. Scientific antirealists, on the other hand, defend the view that there is nothing special about 'truth' and that scientific theories and scientific progress can be understood without appeal to it. The aim of this session is to present both views, their main arguments, and prospects.

(Dr. Elinor Mason) We typically feel that the actions that we make are the result of our own free choices. But what if those actions are simply the end result of a long chain of cause and effect? What does this mean for free will? In this module, we'll look at the concept of determinism. In particular, we'll consider the implications that determinism might have for the notion of free will.

(Dr. Alasdair Richmond) In this module we'll think about some issues in metaphysics, a branch of philosophy that investigates the ways that reality could intelligibly be. Our case study will be the possibility, or otherwise, of time-travel. Some have thought that the apparent possibility of creating a machine that we could use to transport a person backwards in time can be ruled out just by thinking about it. But is time-travel really logically impossible? What would the universe have to be like for it to be possible? And can we know whether our universe fits the bill?