History of Philosophy: Contemporary

PH216

Semester 2, 2021

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Tuesday Mornings from 9:15am to 11:15am

Class Dates: Jul 27,  Aug 03, 10, 17, 24, 31,  Sep 07, 14, 21,  Oct 05, 12, 19, 26,  Nov 02, 09, 16,  2021

Examination: Not Confirmed (TBA)

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The first part of this unit gives an impression of the Western philosophical thought in the period of the 1720s through the 1800s. It assists the students to appreciate the dynamics of interplay between the philosophers and their time, involving their social, cultural and historical-philosophical aspects. It will facilitate their exploration of contemporary ideas and the study of modern theology. Students will be introduced to the thoughts of some major philosophers of this period, including Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz Locke, Hume, Kant and Hegel, with occasional readings of the texts by the thinkers. Some attention will also be paid to the general characteristics of Rationalism, Empiricism and German Idealism. The second part of this course provides a basic understanding of the philosophical trends and philosophers of the 19th and 20th century. Attention is given especially to Process Philosophy, Existentialism, Phenomenology and the Analytical Philosophy. Philosophers introduced include Bergson, Whitehead, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, Marcel, Husserl, Russels and Wittgenstein. It also challenges them to reflect critically on issues discussed and to facilitate their study of contemporary theology, which is directly or indirectly influenced by these philosophical trends.

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