Online Class: Philosophy 101

The aim of this online course to introduce the student to the basics of philosophy and to provide a better appreciation and awareness of philosophy in a historical and, more importantly, personal context.

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13

Lessons
28

Exams &
Assignments
1,967

Students
have taken this course
12

Hours
average time
1.2

CEUs

Course Description

Philosophy is a mystifying, confounding, and wondrous discipline that affects virtually every aspect of human existence. While it attempts to consider the big issues of our lives, including our very existence, the nature of the world, whether or not knowledge is possible, what actions and thoughts are considered to be ethical, and more, philosophy--in one way or another--strives to place things in a meaningful context.

While often considered the purview of humorless old men that spend their lives in ivy-covered towers, philosophy is actually an integral part of the human experience. Indeed, it is often noted that most everyone engages in some sort of philosophy--whether they realize it or not. It is the aim of this course to introduce the student to the basics of philosophy and to provide a better appreciation and awareness of philosophy in a historical and, more importantly, personal context.

This course provides a brief overview of the academic discipline known as philosophy, a succinct history of philosophy from Ancient Greece to our modern day, a lexicon of philosophical terms and concepts, as well as an examination of the sub-disciplines of philosophy and several of the major philosophies that have shaped our world since the times of the pre-Socratic philosophers.

Philosophy Is Everywhere!

There is a feeling in modern popular culture that philosophy is a discipline of purely historical value or, if it is still in practice today, it is only engaged in by those with multiple graduate degrees on university campuses or various academic think tanks around the world. While there may be some truth to both of these views, the fact is that philosophy is much more common and pervasive than that.

The fact is, most people deal with philosophical issues every day, whether or not they recognize them as such. For example, most have an idea of what makes actions right or wrong, what types of things (or people) they find attractive, the value of learning, whether or not there is a God or ultimate authority in the universe, and so forth. Granted, most will not deem their thoughts on these issues as "doing philosophy", but these issues (and many others) are more than tangential parts of most human beings' lives.

A great deal of popular culture is built on philosophical observations and famous quotations from the philosophers of the near and distant past. "The unexamined life is not worth living" (Socrates/Plato), "God is dead" (Nietzsche), "What goes around comes around" (an American summation of the Buddhist concept of karma), "finding my soul mate" (Plato), and many others.

While this type of popular usage is fine, it is not true philosophy, but an altered, shorthand version. Thus, this course will periodically use some of these references as a springboard to the more refined concepts that birthed them.

Completely Online
Self-Paced
Printable Lessons
Full HD Video
6 Months to Complete
24/7 Availability
Start Anytime
PC & Mac Compatible
Android & iOS Friendly
Accredited CEUs

Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:

"Extraordinarily Helpful"

(1,478 votes)

Lesson 1: What is Philosophy?

This lesson will present a working definition for philosophy that will be used throughout this course, as well as the major sub-disciplines within the field of philosophy. Additional lesson topics: What is Philosophy?; The Philosopher Song PG-13 39 Total Points

Lesson 1 Video A
Lesson 1 Video B : Introduction Discussion
Lesson discussions: Philosophy Course; Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment
Complete Assignment: An Introduction
Assessment: Lesson 1: What Is Philosophy?

Lesson 2: Coming to Terms: A Philosophical Lexicon, Part I

A proper understanding of philosophy requires at least a basic familiarity with some of the most commonly-used words and phrases in the philosophical lexicon. Additional lesson topics: Philosophy Dictionary; Philosophical Terms 34 Total Points

Lesson 2 Video A
Lesson 2 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 2: Coming to Terms: A Philosophical Lexicon, Part I

Lesson 3: A Manner of Speaking: A Philosophical Lexicon, Part II

In the continuing study of the terms and concepts central to the study of philosophy, this section completes the glossary of terms for this introductory course. Additional lesson topics: Philosophy of Mind 34 Total Points

Lesson 3 Video A
Lesson 3 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 3: A Manner of Speaking: A Philosophical Lexicon, Part II

Lesson 4: Metaphysics

From a purely linguistic standpoint, metaphysics is a combination of two root words: meta (meaning "more than") and physics (which refers to the physical world that surrounds us). Additional lesson topics: Metaphysics; Metaphysics in Philosophy; Aristotle 34 Total Points

Lesson 4 Video A
Lesson 4 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 4: Metaphysics

Lesson 5: Epistemology

The major concepts and issues related to epistemology will be presented briefly in the following sections of this lesson Additional lesson topics: Epistemology; Epistemology in Philosophy 32 Total Points

Lesson 5 Video A
Lesson 5 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 5: Epistemology

Lesson 6: Philosophy of Mind

In this lesson, the basic concepts and schools of thought related to philosophy of mind will be presented. Additional lesson topics: Leibniz's Philosophy of the Mind; Functionalism 34 Total Points

Lesson 6 Video A
Lesson 6 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 6: Philosophy of Mind

Lesson 7: Philosophy of Religion

This lesson will briefly touch on these questions within the philosophy of religion. Additional lesson topics: Philosophy of Religion; Pascal's Wager; Does God Exist? 34 Total Points

Lesson 7 Video A
Lesson 7 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
Lesson discussions: God
Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 7: Philosophy of Religion

Lesson 8: Ethics, Part I

This lesson will discuss the basic nature of ethics, including the specialized concepts unique to the field. Additional lesson topics: Ethics; What is ethics? 31 Total Points

Lesson 8 Video A
Lesson 8 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 8: Ethics, Part I

Lesson 9: Ethics, Part II

A continuation of our consideration of ethics, this lesson provides a brief overview of some of the major ethical schools of thought within philosophy. Additional lesson topics: Utilitarianism; Stoicism; Cynicism Video 35 Total Points

Lesson 9 Video A
Lesson 9 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 9: Ethics, Part II

Lesson 10: Logic

This lesson will discuss the basic concepts of classical logic and touch briefly on the more recent development of symbolic logic. Additional lesson topics: Aristotle; Fallacies 35 Total Points

Lesson 10 Video A
Lesson 10 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 10: Logic

Lesson 11: Social & Political Philosophy

This lesson concentrates on the philosophical sub-discipline of political and social philosophy and the issues related to it. Additional lesson topics: Karl Marx; Jean-Jacques Rousseau 34 Total Points

Lesson 11 Video A
Lesson 11 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 11: Social & Political Philosophy

Lesson 12: Unsolved Problems & Paradoxes in Philosophy

This lesson delves into some of the more entertaining mental conundrums that pervade philosophy, but is by no means exhaustive. Additional lesson topics: Molyneux's Problem; Sorites Paradox 34 Total Points

Lesson 12 Video A
Lesson 12 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 12: Unsolved Problems & Paradoxes in Philosophy

Lesson 13: An Overview of the Great Philosophers

This lesson provides a brief overview of the major philosophers throughout history. Additional lesson topics: John Stuart Mill; David Hume; René Descartes 85 Total Points

Lesson 13 Video A
Lesson 13 Video B : Lesson Discussion Video
Lesson discussions: Favorite Philosopher; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course)
Complete: Lesson 13 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 13: An Overview of the Great Philosophers
Assessment: The Final Exam

495

Total Course Points

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

Define what philosophy is.
Describe the philosophical lexicon.
Summarize metaphysics.
Summarize epistemology.
Describe philosophy of mind.
Describe philosophy of religion.
Summarize ethics in relation to philosophy.
Describe logic and how it is used in philosophy.
Summarize social and political philosophy.
Identify unsolved problems and paradoxes in philosophy.
Summarize the works of the great philosophers.
Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

Additional Course Information

Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online

View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

Course Title: Philosophy 101

Course Number: 7550466

Lessons Rating: 4.7 / 5 Stars (1,478 votes)

Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries

Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class

CEU Value: 1.2 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)

CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.

Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams

Instructor: C. Michael McKenna, UniversalClass Instructional Team

Syllabus: View Syllabus

Course Fee: $85.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

"Great experience with you." -- Yasar S.
"Good instructor. I enjoyed the course!" -- Carlos C.
"Every part of the course added to my knowledge and understanding of philosophy." -- Adam B.
"Instructor was great; responded quickly, very fair, enjoyable to work with. also enjoyed the way it was broken down by categories - logic, ethics, religion, social and political, etc.; I thought the terms and definitions were excellent." -- Mark D.
"I will be taking Greek Mythology with this same Instructor next." -- Robert K.
"This is my first philosophy course. No previous experience. Found the content excellent. Easy to follow and understand. Feedback always encouraging which was a great help. Really enjoyed it all. I am converted. I thought philosophy was intense and difficult but I found it interesting, easy to follow. I realize I have only made a small start but it was every encouraging. Will go further with this subject." -- Frankie S.
"This is an excellent instructor." -- Karen R.