I EPISTEMOLOGY - how do I know?
1 Definition of philosophy--Five features
2 Skepticism--popular forms and sources; informal fallacies
3 Empiricism and Rationalism: the antinomy
4 Reason and Argument
5 Presupposition: all is eternal or some is eternal
ll METAPHYSICS - what is real?
1 Material monism--Western Materialism
a) definition: concepts, contrasts, styles, history, appeal
b) 1st argument: can it explain change--sameness to diversity
c) 2nd argument: can it explain thought by mechanism
d) 3rd argument: can it explain perception (mind-body problem)
2 Spiritual monism--Eastern Mysticism
a) definition: concepts, contrasts, history, appeal
b) Absolute Non-dualism: is the world an illusion (maya)?
c) Qualified Non-dualism: can we be part of God?
3 Dualism--both matter and spirit are eternal
a) definition: concepts, contrasts, history, appeal
b) Platonic dualism: Is matter or spirit eternal?
c) Aristotelian dualism: what is pure potentiality?
4 Logically possible worlds: imagination and reason
5 Theism-- only some is eternal (God the Creator)
a) definition: concepts, contrasts, history, appeal
b) popular vs philosophical theism: some clarifications
c) the problem of evil: if God exists why is there evil?
(i) Hume (ii) free will
defense (iii) alternative solution
lll ETHICS - what ought I to do?
1 Ethical relativism: there is no absolute--analysis and objections
2 Humanism: the absolute is in man or nature
a) ethical egoism: hedonistic self-interest
b) utilitarianism: the greatest good for the greatest number
c) deontology: duty determined by rational will
d) existentialism: authentic will
e) naturalism: instinct
f) natural moral law: self-actualization of human nature
3 Theism: the absolute is in God
a) form and character of divine moral law
b) content: analysis of formal features