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Professional Diploma in Philosophy

Course Synopsis

This diploma in Philosophy introduces you to all of the central topics of Philosophy. It is designed for those seeking to explore Philosophy for personal development, for enjoyment, and for those seeking a solid preparation for degree level study in the subject. Throughout the course you will be encouraged to think critically about a wide range of philosophical issues. In doing so you will develop an understanding of the discipline and develop your ability to think clearly and to argue effectively. Philosophy is a hugely rewarding subject. It will help you to develop intellectual skills that will enhance your personal life and be valuable in your career.

Course Content

This course will provide the student with a diploma in Philosophy. It will contain 10 sub modules [termed units] made up as follows:

1. Moral Philosophy – This module looks at central traditional and contemporary disputes in moral philosophy. People are commonly moral relativists but is this view defensible? The consequences of our actions are often thought to be morally relevant, but are they the only consideration? In this module we will look at alternative answers to these questions.

2. Applied Ethics – In this module what we have learnt from the first module is applied to animal ethics, environmental ethics, and the controversy surrounding abortion. Ethical issues are always in the news and in this module we develop the philosophical skills needed to assess them.

3. Political Philosophy – Here we look at the social contract and the extent to which we are obliged to obey our rulers. This takes us to classical texts by Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, and important contemporary texts by John Rawls and Robert Nozick. We also consider social justice and why we should care about inequality. Should we, as Nozick thinks, accept any amount of inequality so long as people have well protected property rights?

4. Epistemology – What is the basis of our belief in an external world? Can we be certain about anything? In epistemology, or the theory of knowledge, we consider the reliability of our perceptions. We draw on Descartes, Locke, Russell, Berkeley, and Kant to ask whether a mind-independent world really exists. We also look at the major contemporary contribution to epistemology made by John McDowell in his book Mind and World.

5. Philosophy of Mind – Are we composed of mind and body are we merely physical things? How can you be sure that other people have minds? Are you the same person today that you were last year? These issues (mind-body dualism, the problem of other minds, and personal identity) are considered on this module, drawing on the works of Descartes, Davidson, and Wittgenstein.

6. Metaphysics – In this module we consider two central themes in metaphysics. First we look at the problem of universals. Individual objects can be red, hard, and so on. People can be brave or good. But do such things as redness, hardness, courage, and goodness exist? Then we consider freedom of will. We appear to freely decide what to do from moment to moment. We make plans and try to execute them. But is free will merely an illusion?

7. An Introduction to Logic – A large part of the philosopher’s task is to examine arguments. It can be important to have a grasp of an argument’s underlying logic in order to assess its merits. This module introduces some of the techniques logicians use to uncover the logic behind what people say.

8. Philosophy of Religion – Does God exist? Doesn’t the existence of natural disasters show that God is a myth? Is there life after death? On this module we consider these religious issues drawing on arguments in, among others, Descartes, Kant, and Aquinas.

9. Aesthetics – What is the value of art? Is it simply a matter of personal taste or are there objective reasons for liking a painting, sculpture, or novel? Should art be assessed according to its moral value or is art independent of morality? We look at these issues in light of long-standing debates in aesthetics.

10. Philosophy of History – In this module we draw on earlier modules in epistemology and metaphysics and religion to consider what history is. Is history merely a series of events or does it have larger meaning? What causes historical change? Is it individuals or larger changes in social structure? We draw on Hegel, Marx, and others to address these questions.

Upon completion of each unit in the course you will be provided with an assignment, based upon essay questions in order to test your understanding of the course material. Upon completion of the final 10th unit you will complete a thesis. This will be a 5,000 word assignment, with the option to select from one of numerous subjects.

Benefits of the Course

Students will expect to derive the following benefits from the diploma course:

• A thorough grounding in all of the central areas of philosophy
• An introduction to the ideas of a wide range of classical and contemporary philosophers
• An ability to conduct philosophical argument
• An opportunity to explore and challenge personal beliefs
• An enhanced ability to analyse arguments and to think critically

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