PHI - Philosophy

Introduces significant theoretical and practical questions and emphasizes understanding the meaning and methods of philosophy. Includes: the human condition, logic, reality, knowledge, freedom, history, ethics, and religion.

Examines human life, experience, and thought to discover and develop the principles and values for pursuing a more fulfilled existence. This course examines ethical theories designed to both justify moral judgments, as well as apply these ethical theories to a selection of personal and social issues in the world today.

Studies effective thinking using language-oriented logic. Provides tools and develops skills for creative and critical thinking and the formal analysis of arguments. Emphasizes the development of decision-making and problem-solving.

Introduces the major religions of the Eastern and Western world. Covers Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Utilizes methods of religious studies to understand the historical development of each religious tradition as well its worldview and teachings. This course is one of the Statewide Guaranteed Transfer courses. GT-AH3

Introduces students to religions of the Western World: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Utilizes the methods of religious studies to understand the historical development of each religious tradition in terms of communities, cultural context, and modern manifestations, paying particular attention to differences between sects, denominations, schools, and factions within each tradition. Focus will include the examination of the charismatic leaders, prophets, and narratives that inform the worldview of each tradition.

Introduces the major religions of the Eastern World: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism. Utilizes the methods of religious studies to understand the historical development of each religious tradition in terms of communities, cultural context, and modern manifestations, paying particular attention to differences between sects, denominations, schools, and factions within each tradition. Focus will include the examination of the charismatic leaders, prophets, and narratives that inform the worldview of each tradition.

Examines major ethical theories and then applies ethical decision-making criteria to various moral issues and challenges in a business environment. This course will include issues such as job discrimination, worker’s rights, consumerism, advertising, whistleblowing, product safety, responsibility to the environment, as well as compassionate and fair responsibility to society.

Focuses on the critical analysis and evaluation of the fundamental concepts, ideas, and implications within religious worldviews. This course includes issues such as the nature of God, other conceptions of ultimate reality, arguments concerning God`s existence, the problem of evil and suffering, faith and reason, metaphysical foundations for ethics, the phenomenon of religious experience, and religious diversity.

Analyzes theories of the value of the natural world. Topics may include the relation between scientific and moral principles; theories of the moral worth of persons, animals, plants, and other natural objects; historical, religious, and cultural influences on conceptions of nature; alternative accounts of human relationships and responsibilities to nature; and the connection between moral and political values and economic policies.

Explores the major philosophical questions surrounding death and dying, the metaphysical arguments for and against the existence of the soul, life after bodily death, the major ethical theories and their relation to issues of physician-assisted suicide, care for the dying, the grieving process, death as expressed in aesthetics and contemporary society, as well as the existential contributions concerning meaning of life and the meaning of death.

Focuses on directed readings and independent study on specific philosophical topics.