This course offers an introduction to philosophy through the reading and interpretation of selected philosophical texts from the Western tradition. It is not designed as an "overview of the development of Western philosophy," but rather focuses on building the ability to read and understand the basic texts of key thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, etc. Graduates of the course will gain an appropriate insight into the basic concepts of ontology, epistemology, and ethics.
Last update: Synek Stanislav, Mgr., Ph.D. (23.09.2025)
This course offers an introduction to philosophy through the reading and interpretation of selected philosophical texts from the Western tradition. It is not designed as an "overview of the development of Western philosophy," but rather focuses on building the ability to read and understand the basic texts of key thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, etc. Graduates of the course will gain an appropriate insight into the basic concepts of ontology, epistemology, and ethics.
Last update: Synek Stanislav, Mgr., Ph.D. (23.09.2025)
(2) written reflection on a selected passage from a primary philosophical text (part of the oral examination)
approx. 1-2 pages long (1.800-3.600 characters)
summarise the selected passage, then add your own understanding of it (e.g.: What is the point? Why did you choose it? What do you find interesting?)
bring a printed copy of the reflection paper to the oral exam
do not use AI (see below)
(3) oral exam
For the exam there are three sets of primary philosophical literature (see below) arranged in thematic blocks.
Each student is required to choose one set of literature from the list and read all the titles / passages listed, paying particular attention to the main ideas and arguments of the authors.
Oral exam - sets of literature
1. What is man?
Aristotle: On the Soul, book I, chap. 1, books II-III
Descartes, R.: Meditations on First Philosophy
Arendt, H.: The Human Condition, part I. (§§1-3) and V. (§§24-26)
Plato: Phaedo
2. Freedom and action
Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics, books I-III, VI and X
Hume, D.: An Enquiry concerning the Human Understanding, section 8 (Of Liberty and Necessity)
Kant, I.: Groundworks of the Metaphysics of Morals (Introduction, part 1-2)
Nietzsche, F.: Genealogy of Morals
3. Knowledge and understanding
Aristotle: Metaphysics, book I, chap. 1-3
Descartes, R.: Meditations on First Philosophy
Hume, D.: An Enquiry concerning the Human Understanding, section 1-8
Kant, I.: Critique of Pure Reason, Preface to the second edition (B vii-B xliv), Introduction (second edition, B1-B30)
Plato: Meno
Note on the use of AI in the course:
I do not recommend using AI or LLMs. While these tools can produce relatively high-quality summaries of almost any text, the goal of this course — and of education in general — is not to produce summaries, but to help students develop their own ability to think, read and understand, whether the subject is a written text or someone else's opinion.
Last update: Synek Stanislav, Mgr., Ph.D. (07.10.2025)
Syllabus
The main aim of the course is to introduce students to some basic philosophical questions in the light of classical philosophical texts. The course will take the form of a seminar in which students will be expected to read assigned texts in advance and discuss them in class.
Weekly Schedule:
1. Introductory class
2. Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics I
3. Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics II
4. Kant: Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (Introduction, part 1)
5. Kant: Groundwork… (part 2)
6. Plato: Phaedo (57a-72d)
7. Plato: Phaedo (72d-84b)
8. Aristotle: On the soul (part I): book I 1, book II 1
9. Aristotle: On the soul (part 2): book II 2-3
10. Plato: Meno
11. Descartes: Meditations on First Philosophy - meditation 1+2
12. Descartes: Meditations… - meditation3
Last update: Synek Stanislav, Mgr., Ph.D. (02.09.2024)
Registration requirements
This course is specifically designed for 1st grade students of Liberal Arts and Humanities programme, therefore on-line registration is disabled.
Last update: Synek Stanislav, Mgr., Ph.D. (02.09.2024)
