This course serves as an introductory exploration of philosophy, aiming to provide students with a solid foundation in the fundamental principles and themes that have shaped this discipline for centuries. Through readings, lectures and discussions, students will engage with some of the most significant questions in philosophy, including ethics, metaphysics and epistemology. By the end of the course, students will develop analytical and argumentative skills, enabling them to approach complex issues with a philosophical perspective.
Poslední úprava: Synek Stanislav, Mgr., Ph.D. (02.09.2024)
This course serves as an introductory exploration of philosophy, aiming to provide students with a solid foundation in the fundamental principles and themes that have shaped this discipline for centuries. Through readings, lectures and discussions, students will engage with some of the most significant questions in philosophy, including ethics, metaphysics and epistemology. By the end of the course, students will develop analytical and argumentative skills, enabling them to approach complex issues with a philosophical perspective.
Poslední úprava: Synek Stanislav, Mgr., Ph.D. (02.09.2024)
(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 and add your own understanding of it (what is the point, why did you chose it, what do you find interesting)
bring the printed version of the reflection paper to the oral examination
(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
Poslední úprava: Synek Stanislav, Mgr., Ph.D. (19.09.2024)
Sylabus - angličtina
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
Poslední úprava: Synek Stanislav, Mgr., Ph.D. (02.09.2024)
Požadavky k zápisu - angličtina
This course is specifically designed for 1st grade students of Liberal Arts and Humanities programme, therefore on-line registration is disabled.
Poslední úprava: Synek Stanislav, Mgr., Ph.D. (02.09.2024)
