Students are provided with an introduction to philosophical reflection and an examination of some of the central questions of human existence. Through various forms of literature and texts, students will be introduced to the major philosophical disciplines, key issues, and significant philosophers and philosophies. During discussions, critical explorations, Socratic seminars, and activities, students will explore the nature of truth and reality, whether we can know anything for certain, and the study of ethics. Students will learn how to evaluate arguments, construct arguments of their own, analyze both their own views and the views of others, and inspect and scrutinize their deeply held beliefs.
Students will analyze literature for underlying philosophical arguments as well as to look at the literary tools used to write the various poems, short stories, and books used in the class.
Thematic Framework: In the West, philosophy has been about the search for truth. For thousands of years philosophers have attempted to answer the bigger questions of how the world works, what is the nature of change, and what makes life meaningful. Trying to understand the “truths” behind these questions and being able to use sound reasoning to argue personal beliefs helps us to lead a meaningful and purposeful life.
Enduring Understandings:
Having an articulated philosophy provides a framework for living a meaningful life
Philosophy can enhance your ability to evaluate, think logically, and solve problems
Literature can help us develop and understand personal philosophical beliefs
Essential Questions:
How does logic help us uncover what is true?
How do novels, short stories, poetry, and other written work relate to the larger questions of philosophy and humanity?
How can we use literature to understand or clarify our own ideas about the world?
Skills: critical thinking, analytical tools, oral and written communication, craft and defend personal arguments
Instructional Strategies: Readings, Discussions, Videos, Writing Assignments
Major Texts/Resources Used:
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
The Stranger by Camus
Anthem by Ayn Rand
Poems, songs, and short stories
Selections from Welcome to the Monkey House by Kurt Vonnegut
Videos: TEDTalks, Crash Course Philosophy, Philosophy Vibe, The Good Place
Unit One: Introduction to philosophy
Concepts: construction of philosophical arguments, validity, soundness
Content: Historical Background, branches of Philosophy, Basic philosophical questions, structure of philosophical arguments, logical fallacies, literary devices
Assessment: Argument - Topic of choice
Unit Two: Metaphysics and Epistemology
Concepts: being, existence, reality, permanence and change, time, free will and determinism
Content: Different philosophical beliefs, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Berkeley, Spinoza, elements of allegory in story telling
Assessment: Argument - Do you have free will?
Unit Three: Ethics
Concepts: Right vs. Wrong, the good life, the doctrine of the Mean
Content: Utilitarianism, Categorical Imperative, the Ideal Society, Moral Absolutism, Cultural Relativism, Kant, Mill, and Moral development through literature
Assessment: Visual presentation of a character’s ethical position.
Unit Four: Existentialism, Objectivism, and Eastern Philosophy
Concepts: importance of the individual, freedom and choice, rational decision making, anxiety, meaning and absurdity
Content: Existentialist themes and philosophers (Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre), Nihilism, Existential Crisis, Basic philosophical ideas of Objectivism/Ayn Rand and Eastern philosophers
Assessment: Personal statement of beliefs
Final: Personal Choice Philosophy Project