Skip to main content
Humanities LibreTexts

3.1: Introduction

  1. Last updated
  2. Save as PDF
  • Page ID
    86231

    • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    Foundations of Philosophy

    Module Introduction

    This module will focus on the themes of understanding and exploring:

    • The meaning of the term philosophy
    • The major branches of philosophy
    • The meaning of rationality

    During the first section of this introductory module, we will learn the origin and academic meaning of the word philosophy. We will explain how it differs from other fields, what the major branches of philosophy are, and briefly introduce the topics of their areas of research. Finally, we will analyze the meaning of the term rationality.

    In the second section, we will introduce students to four early philosophers whose works have contributed to our cultural understanding of the meaning of philosophy in significant foundational ways. (1)

    Learning Outcomes

    1. Recognize the relationships between cultural expressions and their contexts.
    2. Recognize concepts in metaphysics, axiology, and epistemology and the context of their development.
    3. Comprehend the scope of philosophic inquiry and how beliefs are formed and justified especially within a particular cultural construct.

    Objectives

    Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:

    • Explain the term Philosophy.
    • Define and distinguish the major branches of Western Philosophy.
    • Distinguish the concepts of foundationalism and constructivism as modes of rationality.
    • Recognize the contribution of four philosophers to the history of ideas. (1)

    Readings & Resources

    Supplemental Materials

    (Note: These materials are considered supplemental and thus are not used for assessment purposes)

    Assignments & Learning Activities

    • Review Introduction
    • Review Reading and Resources
    • Review Learning Unit
    • Participate in Greetings and Introductions
    • Participate in Module 1 Discussion
    CC licensed content, Original

    3.1: Introduction is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

    1. Back to top
    • Was this article helpful?

    Recommended articles

    1. Article type
      Section or Page
    2. Tags
      This page has no tags.