Introduction to Philosophy from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

What is Philosophy?

(Dr. Dave Ward) We’ll start the course by thinking about what Philosophy actually is: what makes it different from other subjects? What are its distinctive aims and methods? We'll also think about why the questions that philosophers attempt to answer are often thought to be both fundamental and important, and have a look at how philosophy is actually practiced. Finally, we'll briefly touch upon two very influential philosophers' answers to the question of how we can know whether, in any given case, there really is a right way of thinking about things.

Morality: Objective, Relative or Emotive?

(Dr. Matthew Chrisman) We all live with some sense of what is good or bad, some feelings about which ways of conducting ourselves are better or worse. But what is the status of these moral beliefs, senses, or feelings? Should we think of them as reflecting hard, objective facts about our world, of the sort that scientists could uncover and study? Or should we think of moral judgements as mere expressions of personal or cultural preferences? In this module we’ll survey some of the different options that are available when we’re thinking about these issues, and the problems and prospects for each.

What is Knowledge? And Do We Have Any?

(Professor Duncan Pritchard) We know a lot of things – or, at least, we think we do. Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that studies knowledge; what it is, and the ways we can come to have it. In this module, we’ll take a tour through some of the issues that arise in this branch of philosophy. In particular, we’ll think about what radical scepticism means for our claims to knowledge. How can we know something is the case if we’re unable to rule out possibilities that are clearly incompatible with it?

Week 2 review: Lesson Choices

Do We Have an Obligation to Obey the Law?

(Dr. Guy Fletcher) The laws of a state govern what we can and cannot do within that state. But do we have an obligation to obey those laws? In this module, we'll discuss this question, together with some of the main positions that philosophers have developed in response to it. We'll start off by examining what obeying the law means exactly. Then we'll look at three factors that might form the basis of an obligation to follow the law. Finally, we'll discuss what the consequences might be if the problem can't be solved.

Should You Believe What You Hear?

(Dr. Allan Hazlett) Much of what we think about the world we believe on the basis of what other people say. But is this trust in other people's testimony justified? In this module, we’ll investigate how this question was addressed by two great philosophers of the Scottish Enlightenment, David Hume (1711 - 1776) and Thomas Reid (1710 - 1796). Hume and Reid's dispute about testimony represents a clash between two worldviews that would continue to clash for centuries: a skeptical and often secular worldview, eager to question everything (represented by Hume), and a conservative and often religious worldview, keen to defend common sense (represented by Reid).

Week 3 review: Lesson Choices

Minds, Brains and Computers

(Dr. Suilin Lavelle) If you’re reading this, then you’ve got a mind. But what is a mind, and what does it take to have one? Should we understand minds as sets of dispositions to behave in certain ways, as patterns of neural activation, or as akin to programmes that are run on the computational hardware of our brains? In this module, we’ll look at how and why recent philosophy of mind and psychology has embraced each of these options in turn, and think about the problems and prospects for each.

Are Scientific Theories True?

(Professor Michela Massimi) In this module we will explore a central and ongoing debate in contemporary philosophy of science: whether or not scientific theories are true. Or better, whether a scientific theory needs to be 'true' to be good at all. The answer to this question comes in two main varieties. Scientific realists believe that theories ought to be true in order to be good. We will analyse their main argument for this claim (which goes under the name of 'no miracles argument'), and some prominent objections to it. Scientific antirealists, on the other hand, defend the view that there is nothing special about 'truth' and that scientific theories and scientific progress can be understood without appeal to it. The aim of this session is to present both views, their main arguments, and prospects.

Week 4 review: Lesson Choices

Do We Have Free Will and Does It Matter?

(Dr. Elinor Mason) We typically feel that the actions that we make are the result of our own free choices. But what if those actions are simply the end result of a long chain of cause and effect? What does this mean for free will? In this module, we'll look at the concept of determinism. In particular, we'll consider the implications that determinism might have for the notion of free will.

Time Travel and Philosophy

(Dr. Alasdair Richmond) In this module we'll think about some issues in metaphysics, a branch of philosophy that investigates the ways that reality could intelligibly be. Our case study will be the possibility, or otherwise, of time-travel. Some have thought that the apparent possibility of creating a machine that we could use to transport a person backwards in time can be ruled out just by thinking about it. But is time-travel really logically impossible? What would the universe have to be like for it to be possible? And can we know whether our universe fits the bill?

Week 5 review: Lesson Choices

Peer review

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines fundamental questions in philosophy and introduces learners to key concepts and theories in major areas of the discipline

Taught by renowned philosophy professors from the University of Edinburgh

Provides a broad overview of different philosophical fields, including Epistemology, Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Mind, Political Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, and Metaphysics

Accompanied by a course companion book for additional support and reinforcement

Provides a solid foundation for learners interested in pursuing further studies in philosophy

Suitable for beginners with no prior background in philosophy who are eager to explore the subject

Reviews summary

Introduction to philosophy

Learners say Introduction to Philosophy is a very good introductory course in philosophy. Students found the lectures to be very interesting and insightful. The course is well-suited for beginners but may be too easy for enthusiasts. However, students do appreciate the wide range of topics covered and the different perspectives from multiple instructors. The course is well-structured and features active discussion forums that make the course engaging.

Different instructors lecture in their areas of specialization

"I liked that the lectures were given by different professors all lecturing in their areas of specialization."

Suitable for beginners

"This a beginner-friendly course that introduces you to Philosophy and it's sub-disciplines."

"Excellent introductory course- very suitable for those with no background in philosophy."

Interesting and thought-provoking topics

"This course will certainly peak your interest by the topics that it covers."

"It certainly made me take more of an interest in philosophy."

A great introduction to philosophy

"Good introductory course for a very difficult subject."

"It's not what I expected, but it is a great introduction to philosophy and to the fields of philosophy."

"It's a very good introductory course on philosophy, giving also good insights in the main contemporary philosophical issues and further readings."

Easy to understand and follow

"This is a great beginning course in philosophy."

"It was easy enough for anyone to understand and to become interested enough to want to study more philosophy."

Weekly quizzes are easy

"The course seemed a little too easy, with the only requirement for a statement of accomplishment being passing each of the weekly quizzes."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Philosophy with these activities:

Review basic logic and critical thinking skills

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This will ensure you are starting the course with a strong foundation

Browse courses on Logic

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Review the basics of formal logic
Practice identifying and evaluating logical fallacies
Take a quiz or test related to the material to self-assess

Read _Philosophy for Everyone_ by the Edinburgh Philosophy team

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This book provides an accessible overview of all the major philosophical topics covered in the course. Reading this book will help you to get the most out of the course and also introduce you to some of the most influential contemporary philosophers

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Read the book
Take notes on important points

Review philosophical research methods

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This activity will refresh your understanding of methods used to research philosophy and concepts in philosophy

Browse courses on Epistemology

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Read articles from academic journals on philosophical research
Take notes on the key concepts and arguments presented in the articles
Discuss the articles with a classmate or mentor

Five other activities

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Join a study group to discuss course concepts

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This activity will help facilitate deeper understanding through the exchange of ideas and perspectives with your peers

Browse courses on Philosophy

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Join a study group or form one with classmates
Meet regularly to discuss course material

Seek out tutorials on different branches of philosophy

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This activity will give you a deeper dive into specific areas of philosophical thought and will help you understand the nuances of different schools of thought

Browse courses on Philosophy of Science

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Search for online tutorials led by experts on various aspects of philosophy
Follow the tutorials and take notes
Apply what you have learned through discussion or writing

Analyze and interpret philosophical arguments and texts

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This practice will help finetune the ability to critically evaluate philosophical claims and identify fallacies

Browse courses on Logical Reasoning

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Identify the argument or text to be analyzed
Break down the argument or text into its component parts
Identify the premises and the conclusion
Evaluate the validity and soundness of the argument
Write a brief summary of your analysis

Write a short essay on a philosophical topic of your choice

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Writing an essay will force you to think deeply about a philosophical topic and develop your communication skills

Browse courses on Philosophy

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Choose a philosophical topic that interests you
Research the topic
Develop a thesis statement
Write an outline
Write the essay

Practice applying philosophical concepts to real-world issues

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This exercise will allow you to apply what you learn in the course and to see how philosophical thinking relates to real world concerns

Browse courses on Ethics

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Identify a real-world issue that interests you
Analyze the issue using philosophical concepts
Develop a solution to the issue based on your analysis

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Philosophy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Philosopher

Philosophers research, teach, and write about philosophical topics. This course is an excellent fit for Philosophers as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including epistemology, metaphysics, political philosophy, and moral philosophy. This course can help Philosophers gain a deeper understanding of these areas of philosophy and develop their philosophical skills.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts are responsible for analyzing and advising on public policy issues. This course may be useful for Policy Analysts as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including political philosophy and moral philosophy. These areas of philosophy can help Policy Analysts understand the ethical and theoretical underpinnings of public policy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Public Speaker

Public Speakers speak to audiences on a variety of topics. This course may be useful for Public Speakers as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including ethics, political philosophy, and metaphysics. These areas of philosophy can help Public Speakers understand the ethical and theoretical underpinnings of their speeches, which can be helpful for delivering engaging and thought-provoking speeches.

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Science Writer

Science Writers communicate complex scientific concepts to the public. This course may be useful for Science Writers as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including philosophy of science and metaphysics. These areas of philosophy can help Science Writers understand the philosophical underpinnings of science, which can be helpful for communicating scientific concepts to the public in a clear and engaging way.

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Lawyer

Lawyers advise and represent clients in legal matters. This course may be useful for Lawyers as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including ethics, political philosophy, and metaphysics. These areas of philosophy can help Lawyers understand the ethical and theoretical underpinnings of the law, which can be helpful for providing sound legal advice and representation.

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Author

Authors write books, articles, and other forms of literature. This course may be useful for Authors as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including ethics, political philosophy, and metaphysics. These areas of philosophy can help Authors understand the ethical and theoretical underpinnings of their writing, which can be helpful for writing engaging and thought-provoking literature.

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Ethics Consultant

Ethics Consultants advise organizations on ethical issues. This course may be useful for Ethics Consultants as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including ethics, political philosophy, and metaphysics. These areas of philosophy can help Ethics Consultants understand the ethical and theoretical underpinnings of ethical issues, which can be helpful for providing sound ethical advice to organizations.

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Consultant

Consultants provide advice and expertise to organizations on a variety of topics. This course may be useful for Consultants as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including ethics, political philosophy, and metaphysics. These areas of philosophy can help Consultants understand the ethical and theoretical underpinnings of their work, which can be helpful for providing sound advice to organizations.

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Museum curator

Museum Curators oversee the collections of a museum and interpret them for the public. This course may be useful for Museum Curators as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including aesthetics, metaphysics, and philosophy of history. These areas of philosophy can help Museum Curators understand the philosophical underpinnings of the collections they oversee and interpret them in a way that is engaging and informative to the public.

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Researcher

Researchers conduct research in a variety of fields. This course may be useful for Researchers as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophy of science. These areas of philosophy can help Researchers understand the philosophical underpinnings of their research, which can be helpful for conducting rigorous and meaningful research.

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Editor

Editors oversee the production of written content. This course may be useful for Editors as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophy of language. These areas of philosophy can help Editors understand the philosophical underpinnings of language and communication, which can be helpful for editing written content in a clear and concise way.

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Professor

Professors teach and research at colleges and universities. This course may be useful for Professors as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including epistemology, metaphysics, political philosophy, and moral philosophy. These areas of philosophy can help Professors develop a deeper understanding of these areas of philosophy and share their knowledge with their students.

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Teacher

Teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects. This course may be useful for Teachers as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics. These areas of philosophy can help Teachers understand the nature of knowledge, reality, and morality, which can be helpful for teaching students about the world around them.

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Journalist

Journalists research, write, and report on news and current events. This course may be useful for Journalists as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including epistemology and metaphysics. These areas of philosophy can help Journalists understand the nature of knowledge and reality, which can be helpful for critically analyzing and reporting on the news.

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Librarian

Librarians manage and organize the resources of a library. This course may be useful for Librarians as it provides an overview of various areas of philosophy, including epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophy of information. These areas of philosophy can help Librarians understand the philosophical underpinnings of information and knowledge, which can be helpful for managing and organizing the resources of a library in a way that is accessible to users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian