Type of Credit: Partially Required
Credit(s)
Number of Students
This course introduces students to some of the classical themes in philosophy, including knowledge, mind, free will, the self, God, valid reasoning, the world, and moral obligations. Students will explore how corresponding disciplines – epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and logic – have formed the foundation of philosophy, tracing their historical development and intellectual significance.
The final module delves into the enigmatic world of secret societies in the Western tradition, examining groups such as the Templars, the Illuminati, and Freemasonry as cultural and philosophical phenomena. Through this lens, students will investigate the connections between the pursuit of knowledge, the dissemination of radical ideas, and the secretive networks that have shaped modern history. Designed to provoke curiosity and foster intellectual rigor, this course bridges classical education with the enduring mysteries of the human quest for truth.
能力項目說明
| 教學週次Course Week | 彈性補充教學週次Flexible Supplemental Instruction Week | 彈性補充教學類別Flexible Supplemental Instruction Type |
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週次 Week |
課程主題 Topic |
課程內容與指定閱讀 Content and Reading Assignment |
教學活動與作業 Teaching Activities and Homework |
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1 |
Introduction |
Introduction |
Lecture |
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2 |
Knowledge |
How do we address skepticism about the external world? |
Lecture |
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3 |
Mind |
What is consciousness? |
Lecture & Discussion |
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4 |
Free Will |
Are we genuinely free, or is our behavior determined? |
Lecture & Discussion |
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5 |
The Self |
What is the self? |
Lecture & Discussion |
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6 |
God |
How does belief in God relate to the meaning and morality of life? |
Lecture & Discussion |
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7 |
Holiday |
N/A |
N/A |
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8 |
Reasoning |
What constitutes sound reasoning and logical argument? |
Lecture & Discussion |
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9 |
The World |
What is the nature of the external world? |
Lecture & Discussion |
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10 |
Self-Study |
Self-Study |
Self-Study |
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11 |
What to Do |
How should we live, and what determines moral actions? |
Lecture & Discussion |
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12 |
Ethics |
What is the basis of ethical principles and moral obligations? |
Lecture & Discussion |
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13 |
Secret Societies |
What role have secret societies played in the moral, social, and intellectual progress of humanity? |
Lecture & Discussion |
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14 |
Secret Societies |
Historical Origins, Symbolism, and Rites |
Lecture & Discussion |
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15 |
Guest Talk |
TBC |
Lecture & Discussion |
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16 |
Secret Societies |
The Templars, the Illuminati, the Freemasons |
Lecture & Discussion |
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17 |
Self-Study |
Self-Study |
Self-Study |
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18 |
Final |
Essay preparation |
Topic Consultation |
Attendance: 10%
Group Discussion: 30%
Final Essay: 60%
Assessment Criteria
90-100: The student is familiar with the thinkers’ positions and elaborates on the arguments that support the positions. The student proves his/her independent thinking and understanding by critically examining the arguments and defending them against possible counter-arguments.
80-89: The student knows the thinkers’ positions to a certain extent and shows an approximate understanding of the arguments. The student tries to develop his/her own critique or his/her own response to a possible critique, but the attempt is not effective.
70-79: The student conveys the central ideas in the texts/ of the positions correctly, but does not present the arguments in an organized, systematic manner. Nor does he/she consider any critique or possible answers to objections.
60-69: The student fails to explain the thinkers’ positions or arguments and shows a seriously incomplete understanding.
Below 60: The student shows the problems mentioned above and fails to complete the assignment.
Blackburn, S. (1999). Think: A compelling introduction to philosophy. Oxford University Press.
Arnold, A. C. L. (1854). Philosophical history of Freemasonry and other secret societies; or, The secret societies of all ages considered in their relations with, and influence on, the moral, social, and intellectual progress of man. Clark, Austin, & Smith.
| 書名 Book Title | 作者 Author | 出版年 Publish Year | 出版者 Publisher | ISBN | 館藏來源* | 備註 Note |
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