Basics of Philosophy (LUSDK_037)
About Study Course
Objective
The aim of this course is to provide students with a general overview of the main problems of philosophy and to promote independent and critical approach to those issues. During the course students develop understanding of what philosophy is and how it relates to other disciplines, for example, various sciences. Students are introduced to the main problems in philosophy of science. Students develop the basic skills for analysing philosophical and other texts. Students develop critical and independent stance regarding problems such as the mind/body problem, the problem of self, the problem of free will, as well as the most influential theories in ethics.
Prerequisites
Not required.
Learning outcomes
After successful completion of the course the student: knows what philosophy is and how it is related to other disciplines; knows the central problems and proposed solutions in the philosophy of science; knows the basic concepts and methods of critical thinking as text analysis; knows what the mind/body problem, the problem of self, and the free will problem are in philosophy, and also knows the most influential theories on these issues; knows the most influential ethical theories of Western philosophy.
After successful completion of the course the student: possesses skills to distinguish a philosophical question from other types of questions; possesses skills to argue his or her position on philosophical issues; possesses skills to independently and critically evaluate reasoning; possesses skills to independently and critically evaluate possible actions from the perspective of various ethical theories.
After successful completion of the course the student: has developed academic communication competence by participating in seminars; has developed the competence of critical self-reflection, reflecting on his position on various philosophical issues.
Study course planning
| Study programme | Study semester | Program level | Study course category | Lecturers | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Health, SVF | 2 | Bachelor’s | Required | Reinis Vilciņš |
