Philosophy for Beginners from Udemy

In this course, I will teach you the story of human philosophy encompassing an incredible 2500 years of philosophical history. By the end of this video, you will know all the basic philosophical ideas, schools and approaches, as well as some of the most influential philosophers from around the world. The video has 4 major parts and each with 2 or 3 sections, just like chapters in books.

In part 1, I will answer the most fundamental question. Why are humans the only species that have invented philosophy? Or where does philosophy really come from? Also how has philosophy evolved in the past 2500 years? And why philosophy has so many branches such as ontology, epistemology, rationalism, empiricism, humanism, utilitarianism, existentialism, postmodernism and more?

In part 2, I will look at the origin and differences between eastern philosophy and western philosophy. Why one emphasises spirituality, and changing yourself, while the other emphasises rationality, and changing the world . I will look at the Greek giants of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, as well as the three giants of eastern philosophy, the Buddha, Lao Tzu and Confucius.

In part 3, I will look at the philosophy of life and human civilisation. Is the purpose of human civilisation to promote equality or competition? Is the purpose of human life to seek knowledge or happiness? I will discuss philosophers such as Sun Tsu, Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacque Rousseau, Voltaire, Erasmus, Michel de Montaigne, Francis Bacon, Martin Heidegger, Michel Foucault, and Bertrand Russell.

In part 4, I will tackle the question of knowledge and human motivation. How do we know reality? I will discuss the school of European rationalism versus British empiricism and Kant’s reconciliation of the two. After Kant two distinct schools of philosophy emerged to explain human motivation. One sociological and one psychological. Hegel’s sociological philosophy argued we are motivated by historical forces, while Schopenhauer’s psychological philosophy argued we are motivated by a blind subconscious will.

What's inside

Learning objectives

You will learn about the entire human philosophy of the past 2500 years.
You get to know some of the most influencial philosophers from around the world.

You will understand some of the most important philosophical ideas, schools and approaches.
You will be able to understand a philosophical discussion or a book.

You will learn about the entire human philosophy of the past 2500 years.
You get to know some of the most influencial philosophers from around the world.
You will understand some of the most important philosophical ideas, schools and approaches.
You will be able to understand a philosophical discussion or a book.

Syllabus

Introduction

Eastern philosophers - Lao Tzu, Buddha and Confucius

Why have humans invented philosophy?

Branches of Philosophy

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Examines the entirety of human philosophy, providing a comprehensive understanding

Introduces learners to influential philosophers and their ideas, broadening their perspectives

Builds a strong foundation in philosophical concepts, enhancing learners' critical thinking skills

Explores philosophical discussions and texts, developing learners' analytical and interpretative abilities

Provides a multi-modal learning experience, engaging learners through videos, readings, and discussions

Covers a wide range of philosophical topics, offering learners a broad understanding of the field

Reviews summary

Broad philosophical overview for newcomers

According to learners, this course offers a positive and comprehensive introduction to 2500 years of global philosophical thought, making it accessible for beginners. Students appreciate the well-structured content covering major ideas, schools, and influential figures from both Eastern and Western traditions. While it provides a broad historical overview, some find the high-level coverage a warning if expecting deep dives into specific topics, suggesting it serves best as a foundational stepping stone for further study rather than an exhaustive analysis.

Logical flow makes learning easier to follow.

"The chapter-like organization and clear parts helped me easily follow the progression of philosophical thought."

"I found the breakdown into major parts and sections very helpful for understanding such a vast subject."

"The clear and logical structure made absorbing so much information about philosophy surprisingly manageable."

A springboard for future, more specialized learning.

"This course definitely piqued my interest and has encouraged me to read more about specific philosophers and schools."

"I now feel much more confident picking up a philosophical book, as I have a good base to understand the context."

"It's a great stepping stone to delve into more advanced philosophy courses or specialized texts in the future."

Extensive coverage of philosophical history.

"I appreciated how it spans 2500 years of history, providing a truly global and comprehensive start to philosophy."

"It was great to get a clear, concise look at both Eastern and Western philosophies, helping me understand the differences."

"I got a good sense of the major eras and thinkers, which was exactly what I needed to begin my journey."

Simplifies complex ideas for easy learning.

"Perfect for someone like me with absolutely no prior knowledge of philosophy; it eased me in nicely."

"The course broke down many intimidating concepts into digestible parts that made sense to me."

"As a complete beginner, I found the explanations and examples very easy to follow along with."

Prioritizes breadth over deep, specific analysis.

"It's a good starting point, but I felt that some topics and philosophers could use more in-depth discussion."

"Don't expect to become an expert from this course; it truly is just a very broad introduction to the field."

"While comprehensive in scope, the coverage of individual philosophers often felt quite brief."

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 Philosophy for Beginners with these activities:

Review history of western and eastern philosophy

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Review the basics of philosophy to prepare for this course

Browse courses on History of Philosophy

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Read a general overview of the history of western philosophy
Review a general overview of the history of eastern philosophy
Identify similarities and differences in the main ideas and concepts between the two traditions

Read 'History of Western Philosophy' by Bertrand Russell

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Provide a better understanding of the development of western philosophy

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Obtain a copy of the book
Read through each chapter
Summarize the main themes and arguments in each chapter
Write a brief essay on how this book has broadened your understanding of the history of western philosophy

Create a philosophical timeline

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Develop a visual representation of the development of philosophical thought

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Gather information about key philosophers and their ideas
Place the philosophers on a timeline
Include the main ideas and concepts associated with each philosopher
Annotate the timeline to show the connections between philosophers and ideas

Four other activities

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Read 'Eastern Thought, Western Thought' by Mortimer Adler

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Enrich the understanding of the differences between eastern and western philosophy

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Obtain a copy of the book
Read through each chapter
Compare and contrast the main themes and arguments of the chapters on eastern and western philosophy
Prepare a presentation summarizing the key differences between eastern and western philosophy

Attend a philosophy discussion group

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Engage in discussions to foster your understanding of philosophical ideas

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Locate a local philosophy discussion group
Attend a discussion group
Participate in the discussion
Share your own thoughts and ideas

Write a philosophical essay

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Solidify your grasp of philosophical concepts through analysis and argumentation

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Choose a philosophical topic
Research the topic and gather evidence
Develop an argument and organize your thoughts
Write a well-structured and persuasive essay

Contribute to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

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Involve yourself in the research and dissemination of philosophical knowledge

Browse courses on Academic Writing

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Identify an area of philosophy where you can make a contribution
Research the topic thoroughly
Write a well-structured and academically rigorous article
Submit your article to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Career center

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

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Philosophy for Beginners

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Broad philosophical overview for newcomers

Activities

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