Intro To Philosophy

Course Description

Phil 0002 introduces students to problems in metaphysics and epistemology through close reading of several texts of Western Philosophy.  Metaphysics is the study of the fundamental nature of reality.  We will focus on the following metaphysical questions: What are we?  Are we immaterial things, bodily things, some combination?  Does God exist?  Are our choices determined?  Epistemology is the study of knowledge.  How could we ever come to know the answers to these metaphysical questions?  What is knowledge and how do we get it?  Is knowledge attainable?  Throughout our examination of these questions, we will also consider questions about values and what we should do.  For example, what attitude should we take toward death?  Is death the worst of evils?  If we cannot be certain that some of our most fundamental beliefs are true, would it matter?  If our choices are determined, then is there no such thing as good and bad, right and wrong?  Philosophers have proposed thought provoking answers to these questions.  We will read their works, consider their theories, and analyze and evaluate their arguments, with the objective of coming closer to our own answers, however tentative, to some of life’s biggest questions.

Basic Enrollment Requirements: 

Academic Year (Fall/Spring): Unofficial Transcript – High School Diploma or current high school transcript (for high school students only in applicable classes), Bachelor’s Degree, or progress towards a Bachelor’s Degree + 3.0 GPA.

Summer: None

Refund Policy: The refund policy for Courses at Tufts offerings is dependent on the course length. Please refer to the section details to confirm any exceptions to the standard refund policy. The refund policies are viewable here: https://universitycollege.tufts.edu/policies#Refunds 

Remission Eligible: Yes; first day of term; all university policies apply.