Philosophy (PHIL) 231

Introduction to Philosophy: West and East (Revision 1)

PHIL 231 course cover

Revision 1 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version

Delivery Mode: Individualized study or grouped study

Credits: 3

Area of Study: Humanities

Prerequisite: None

Precluded Course: PHIL 251 and PHIL 261 (PHIL 231 may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for PHIL 251 or PHIL 261.)

Faculty: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences

Philosophy Studies home page

PHIL 231 has a Challenge for Credit option.

check availability

Overview

PHIL 231 introduces students to philosophical debate over some of the most fundamental questions humanity has encountered and continues to encounter. Through a study of some of the world's most influential thinkers—Socrates, Confucius, Chuang Tzu (Taoism) and the Buddha—we encounter debate and insights about our place in the universe, what it is to live the good life, what it is to overcome deception and falsity. “What exists?” “What can we know?” “What is the best way to lead our lives?” These questions mark three foundational areas of philosophical debate: Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics.

The course focuses on developing an ability to think critically and independently about these questions, initiating the process of making better decisions about which views are worth holding.

Outline

Unit 1: Introductory Concepts, Explanations, and Exercises - The Apology

Unit 2: The Phaedo Part I

Unit 3: The Phaedo Part II

Unit 4: Confucius and the Analects

Unit 5: Taoism

Unit 6: Buddhism

Evaluation

To receive credit for PHIL 231, you must complete all assignments required and achieve a composite course grade of at least "D" (50 percent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

Assignment 1:
Descriptive exposition of a Socratic

15%
or grouped study
Descriptive exposition of an Eastern text (section)

15%
Assignment 3:
Critical exposition essay

30%
Assignment 4:
Comparative/position essay

40%
Total 100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbooks

Plato, The Trial and Death of Socrates (3rd ed.) (G.M.A. Grube trans.) 2000. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Co.

Plato, The Phaedo (G.M.A. Grube trans.). 1977. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Co.

Confucius, The Analects of Confucius (A. Waley trans.). 1989. New York: Vintage Books.

Chuang-tzu, Basic Writings (Burton Watson, trans.). 1996 New York: Columbia U.P.

Other Materials

The course materials include a study guide and a student manual.

Challenge for Credit Course Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.

Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the PHIL 231 challenge registration, you must achieve an overall grade of at least “D” (50 percent).

Essay 1 Essay 2 Total
50% 50% 100%

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.

Opened in Revision 1.