Philosophy: The Big Questions

This subject is not offered in 2011.

This subject provides a general introduction to philosophy through an examination of four big questions: (1) Knowledge and scepticism. What is knowledge and do we actually know what we take ourselves to know? Can we rule out the hypothesis that we occupy some kind of Matrix world in which all our apparent perceptions are the result of brain manipulation? And if we cannot, can we know anything at all? (2) Personal identity. What kind of a thing is a person? What makes you the same person now as you were when you were a baby despite all the enormous physical and psychological changes that have happened to you? What sorts of changes can you undergo and still survive? (3) Morality. Does the rightness of an action depend solely on its consequences? Or are there some actions, like torture, which are morally wrong no matter how desirable the consequences? (4) Personal responsibility in a non-ideal world. What is the responsibility of members of developed countries for global poverty? Is it morally permissible to spend money on non-essentials while children die of preventable poverty-related causes?

Students who successfully complete this subject will

• have a familiarity with a variety of important philosophical problems and the theoretical tools used to address them
• be able to present accurate and well-expressed exposition of philosophical problems and positions.
• be able to present informed and fair-minded philosophical evaluation of them.

Tutorial assignments 15%, an essay of 1400 words due mid semester 35%, and a 2-hour written examination (not open-book) 50% at the end of semester. This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75% tutorial attendance. Regular participation in tutorials is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop at the beginning of semester.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• develop the ability to read texts analytically.
• develop skills in critical and theoretical thinking.
• be able to apply the analytic and critical skills developed in this subject to other philosophical and non-philosophical studies.