Module Directory

This module provides students with an introduction to the major themes and thinkers in Western Philosophy.

It is divided into three main sections. The first provides a general introduction to the study of philosophy and explains what makes this subject so important and distinctive. It assumes no prior knowledge of the subject and it proceeds at a pace that is appropriate to students who are new to the subject. After the introduction, the module focuses on two main philosophical questions: what can we know and how should we live? The first of these questions refers to the possibility of knowledge. This area of philosophy is known as epistemology. The second question is about what it means to live a good life. This area of philosophy is known as ethics.

The section on epistemology begins with a study of the work of Plato and Aristotle. We then look at the major philosophical schools of thought in the Hellenistic world such as Cynicism and Stoicism. The module then proceeds to examine the work of Descartes, Hume and Kant. The following section on ethics engages with the work of Aristotle, Hume, Kant, Bentham, Mill and Nietzsche. The final section examines some contemporary examples of applied ethics. There is a broad range of topics that can be chosen such as Animal Rights, Embryo Research and Just War Theory.

The aims of this module are:

1. To provide an introduction to the main themes in ethics and epistemology.


2. To enable students to critically evaluate arguments and positions in the fields of ethics, applied ethics and epistemology.


3. To ensure that students understand the academic conventions of university life.


4. To ensure that students are confident in the expression of their thoughts and ideas.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Have a secure knowledge of the main ideas and arguments in epistemology and ethics.


2. Understand and evaluate different epistemological and ethical positions and arguments.


3. Write clear, well-structured and critical philosophical essays.


4. Comprehend major themes within philosophical texts.


5. Articulate and defend their philosophical positions in class discussions.


6. Select and evaluate primary and secondary sources and complete the accompanying bibliography.

Skills for your professional life (Transferable Skills) 

By the end of this module, students will have practised the following transferrable skills: 

• Intellectual skills (e.g. critical, analytical, synthesising and problem-solving skills) developed in lectures, classes discussion groups and seminars.


• Communication skills (written and oral). Writing skills are practised in essays and end-of-year exams and oral skills are developed through participation in discussions and debates.


• Organisational skills (e.g. working independently, taking initiative, time management.) Philosophy students are encouraged to work independently and to explore problems on their own initiative. The lecturer fosters these skills by providing bibliographies and referring to articles or books which students may then go and read.


• Inter-personal skills (e.g. ability to work with or motivate others, flexibility/adaptability). The ability to work with other people is fostered in discussion groups, classes and seminars.


• Research Skills. Students are encouraged to learn some research skills by selecting and evaluating relevant sources, using the University Library and desk research.

Syllabus

• Introduction to Western Philosophy.


• Introduction to Epistemology: Rationalism and Empiricism.


• Plato and Aristotle.


• Empiricism and Rationalism.


• The Philosophy of Doubt: Descartes and Hume.


• Kant: A response to Hume. Topic 7: Introduction to Ethics.


• Aristotle's 'Virtue Ethics'.


• Kant's ethics: 'The Categorical Imperative'.


• Bentham and Mill: 'Happiness and the Good Life'.


• Nietzsche: 'Slave Morality'.


• Freud and the Good Life.


• Applied ethics: Any two of the following: Embryo Research, Just War Theory, Animal Rights, Prostitution, Just War Theory, Euthanasia, Capital Punishment, Abortion. 

This module will be delivered via:

• One 2-hour lecture per week.
• One 2-hour seminar per week.

Teaching and learning on Essex Pathways modules offers students the ability to develop the foundation knowledge, skills, and competencies to study at the undergraduate level, through a curriculum that is purposely designed to provide an exceptional learning experience. All teaching, learning and assessment materials will be available via Moodle in a consistent and user-friendly manner.

Lectures will introduce key philosophical concepts and the discussion following it will consider how these can be applied to current epistemological and ethical problems. Seminars will be used to foster students' critical thinking skills. Major themes, concepts and thinkers will be discussed and elaborated.

There is tutorial time available for individual consultations. Students are set a reading task for each week from one of the set texts especially chosen for the module. They are also expected to complete detailed lecture notes to use as a basis for class discussion in the seminars and tutorials. Photocopied handouts are provided during the course of the year with relevant information from journals although students are encouraged to become independent learners in this regard. Students will have the opportunity to present their own work in seminars on a non-assessed basis.

Learning support

Lecture notes and slides will be available every week via Moodle as well as additional materials Students will be supported in developing their essays, in enhancing their critical thinking skills through interactive activities such as debates and various thought experiments.