Philosophy 3301-L2FILOZ-ANG

The course is an introduction to philosophy. It engages with both analytic and continental currents, with an emphasis placed on contemporary perspectives. The course is divided into modules that address different topics in philosophy. It begins with an initial tour of the history of philosophy, before moving to explore ontology, ethics, philosophy of language, and existentialism.

Each module outlines the general problem associated with the topic at issue, moving from position to position and examining the difficulties associated with different perspectives. The modules are independent in the sense that they do not depend on earlier modules, and they also vary in terms of their conceptual roots, ranging from classic analytic issues to more continental themes.

The philosophers discussed in the context of this set of modules include Aristotle, Locke, Kant, Putnam, Descartes, Shoemaker, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, and de Beauvoir, among others.

The aim of the lecture is to introduce students to these classic topics in philosophy, some of the key perspectives in each case, and to prompt reflection on the problems themselves. Students are prompted to participate through voting, and open discussion is also encouraged.

Course coordinators

Kamil Lemanek

Type of course

obligatory courses

Mode

Classroom

Learning outcomes

Knowledge: The student has familiarity with
K_W10 / K_W11 selected dilemmas and issues of contemporary civilization in the light of various academic disciplines, as related to the compulsory subjects included in the programme and other elective courses

Abilities: The student is able to
KU_U10 / K_U11 apply knowledge from different academic disciplines relating to selected dilemmas and issues of contemporary civilization

Assessment criteria

Written final exam (100% of the grade, objective exam form).

Bibliography

Blackburn, Simon (2001). Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Copleston, Frederick (2003). A History of Philosophy Vols 1-11. Great Britain: Continuum.
Kaufmann, Walter (1956). Existentialism: From Dostoyevsky to Sartre. New York: Meridian.
Levinson, Jerrold (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Aesthetics (2005; online edn, Oxford Academic, 2 Sept. 2009)
Copp, David (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Ethical Theory, Oxford Handbooks (2007; online edn, Oxford Academic, 2 Sept. 2009)

Notes

Term 2026Z:

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the classroom is governed by the rules set forth in Resolution No. 16 of the Teaching Council for the programs English Studies, English Studies – Linguistics, and English Studies – Literature and Culture of 9 December 2025 (chrome- extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https:/drive.usercontent.google.com/download?id=1wKaGcMrfFe5GaziQgxXkHS1e6t9TvQcB&authuser=0&acrobatPromotionSource=gdrive_chrome-list).