Department of Philosophy Overview:
Because philosophy is such a broad field, you can put a concentration in philosophy to a very wide range of uses. Some majors go on to do graduate work in philosophy, with a view to teaching philosophy in a college or university. But more go on to other careers: in law, public service, journalism, business, computer science, medicine, religion and the arts. There is strong statistical evidence that philosophy majors do very well on the admissions tests required for graduate work in other areas.
The study of philosophy helps its students to develop their ability to analyze and clarify ideas, to think logically, and to present their ideas and arguments effectively, both orally and in writing. Because philosophers have historically focused on the most difficult and abstract questions, they have cultivated a standard of expository clarity and rigor rarely stressed so emphatically elsewhere. These abilities are useful in many occupations. Moreover, the development in recent years of the study of ethics in religion, medicine, business, law, and environmental studies, has encouraged the use of philosophy as a preparation for these enterprises. It makes sense to study philosophy for many professional reasons, not only to learn to teach it to the next generation.
Philosophy can also be a way of inquiring into the concepts and methods of other disciplines you might be interested in, such as physics or anthropology or religion or the arts. Thus the concentration or a minor can be used as an adjunct to other studies. They can also be used by someone who is inclined not to become too specialized, as a way of investigating a wide variety of topics while at the same time pursuing a concentration.
Many of these advantages can, of course, be gained without concentrating in philosophy, by taking a minor, or simply by taking a number of courses in it.
Philosophy
PHIL 160 - Moral Principles and Problems
Section 001
This course introduces students to principles of moral philosophy, and provides them with an opportunity to apply what they learn to the ethical questions we face in life. The overarching goal is to give students the conceptual resources they need to think about difficult and controversial ethical issues in a systematic and critical way. The lecture portion of the course will provide a systematic introduction to moral theory, aimed at equipping students with the concepts and tools needed to analyze moral problems and develop their own moral positions. The primary focus will be normative ethics, that is, philosophical theories about the nature and principles of moral rightness and wrongness. The dominant active traditions in normative ethics — natural rights theory, social contract theory, and consequentialism — will be given extensive treatment, though we will also discuss egoism, divine command theories, virtue theories, and moral particularism. Some topics from meta-ethics will also be discussed, in particular relativism, subjectivism vs. objectivism, non-cognitivism vs. realism, and the relation of morality to rationality. Throughout an effort will be made to tie questions in ethics to empirical issues in psychology, social and political theory, and anthropology, as well as questions in decision theory and game theory. Each discussion section will focus on a distinct area of applied ethics of contemporary concern. Discussion section leaders will seek both to ensure that students understand and can apply the contents of the lectures, and to introduce them to additional material — empirical, normative, and conceptual — that pertains to the section’s special topic.
Philosophy
PHIL 180 - Introductory Logic
Section 001
Credits: 3
This is a first course in logic and critical thinking. The course will be divided into two parts: (a) informal logic which involves analyzing and evaluating arguments using fallacy theory and theory of definitions, and (b) formal logic which involves symbolizing arguments and evaluating them using truth-tables and natural deduction. This course will be helpful to those planning on writing standardized tests for law school, graduate school, or medical school. It is also good background for more advanced logic courses, and in general, it is a good course for improving reasoning skills with applications to any field.
Philosophy
PHIL 181 - Philosophical Issues: An Introduction
Section 001
Fate, Freedom, and Happiness
1. Free Will
We take ourselves to be capable of genuinely free choice and action. When free, nothing makes one act as one does, and it follows that one could have done other than what one actually did.
2. Three Fatalist Arguments
Philosophers have worried that, if true, certain claims about the universe make freedom impossible. Consider two logical principles about the future: (1) either you will eat an egg salad sandwich for lunch tomorrow or you won’t; therefore (2) the future-tense statement that you make today, “I will eat an egg salad sandwich” is either true or it is false. Suppose it is true. Then you will eat egg salad tomorrow, but it also seems to follow that you must. You can do nothing else tomorrow, for that would make today’s true statement false—an absurdity. On the other hand, if today’s statement is false, it seems to follow for the same reasons that you cannot under any circumstances eat egg salad tomorrow. Whether tomorrow’s egg salad is necessary or impossible, you will have no freedom in the matter.
Or consider belief in an omniscient being like God. If God is all knowing, then he knows what you will freely do before you do it. But if she already knows that you will decide tomorrow to lunch on egg salad, then it must be the case that you have egg salad tomorrow; otherwise, he will have been wrong. But it is absurd to claim that he knows what you will do and he is wrong. Yet, if you must have egg salad no matter what, you have no freedom in the matter.
Finally, consider the belief that every event occurs because of prior causes that determine it in strict accord with the laws of nature. Given its causes, then, each event must happen precisely as it does. Humans are parts of the universe, so each act is determined by its causes to occur just as it does. Since one could not have done other than what one did, one never acts freely.
That’s philosophy; reasonable assumptions lead us into startling dilemmas: either freedom is an impossible illusion or universal causation, omniscience, and future truth are. The aim of the class is to get out of these binds if we can. Careful examination may uncover unwarranted beliefs or fallacious inferences. Or there may be another way out of perplexity.
3. Human Happiness
Though the universe or the will is not as we hope, that may not undermine what is most worthwhile in human life—pursuit of what is good. So, the class concludes with an investigation of the nature and importance of happiness.
Philosophy
PHIL 196 - First Year Seminar
Section 001
Causation, Responsibility, and the Force of Language in The Brothers Karamazov
Excerpts from The Brothers Karamazov are often discussed in introductory philosophy classes, but reading the novel closely reveals that philosophical questions are raised on every page. For example, Dostoevsky explores judgment and punishment, moral luck, the distinction between doing and allowing, special obligations (especially those to family), the nature of testimony, the relationships between intention, causation, and culpability, and the force of our words and actions on others. We will read Dostoevsky's novel alongside work in contemporary analytic philosophy that refines and tries to address the questions it raises.
Philosophy
PHIL 196 - First Year Seminar
Section 005
A Moral Institution?
This course examines moral dimensions of the University and its faculty, students, and staff in their roles as citizens of an academic community. Our goal is to help students think about how to approach participation in this community and develop their deliberative competencies by questioning academic life and the University from moral and social standpoints. We will organize our inquiries into three domains: academic integrity; the University as an academic community; the University’s moral obligations as an institution.
Philosophy
PHIL 201 - Introduction to Logic
Section 005
An introduction to logic at the elementary level. Topics include discussions of such notions as the validity and invalidity of arguments, fallacies in reasoning, the nature of argument, and the justification of belief. Basic elements of deductive reasoning are considered, and there is a survey of fundamental principles of modern formal logic. Elements of inductive reasoning may also be discussed.
Philosophy
PHIL 202 - Introduction to Philosophy
Section 001
This course introduces students to philosophy through an examination of some central philosophical problems. Topics might include some of the following: Are minds immaterial spirits, or are minds brains and hence nothing but complex physical objects? If human actions are causally determined by heredity and environment, is there any moral responsibility?
Is abortion, or euthanasia, or suicide, morally permissible?
Is the nature and extent of our moral obligations determined by our feelings, self-interest, social convention, Divine commands, or something else?
What are the reasons for preferring one kind of social, political, and economic organization to another?
Are there good reasons for believing that God exists? How do we know that anything exists, other than ourselves? Some sections focus on major historical figures, e.g., Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, and Kant; others focus on writings of twentieth century philosophers.
Philosophy
PHIL 224 - Global Justice
Section 001
Current controversies over globalization take place against a background of severe poverty in much of the world, extreme economic inequalities between rich and poor countries, and profound international effects of domestic policies. To understand these controversies, we must engage both normative and social scientific questions. This interdisciplinary course on global justice therefore integrates approaches from political philosophy and political economy. It is co-taught by faculty from the departments of philosophy and economics. Foundations of development economics and theories of global justice are introduced and applied to specific issues such as immigration, free trade, child labor, and sweatshops.
Philosophy
PHIL 232 - Problems of Philosophy
Section
This course is open to students from all areas of the University. No previous work in philosophy is assumed. First-term undergraduates are welcome. The course will provide an introduction to some fundamental philosophical problems drawn from a variety of branches of philosophy. The course also seeks to develop, through written work and intensive discussion, skills in critical reasoning and argumentative writing. Topics will be selected from among the following: determinism, free will, and moral responsibility; arguments for and against the existence of God; skepticism about knowledge of the material world; the nature of personal identity; the relationship between mind and body; egoism, altruism, and the nature of moral obligation; and the ethics of belief and nature of faith. There will be two required papers and a midterm and cumulative final examination.
Philosophy
PHIL 362 - Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion
This course covers, among other topics: traditional arguments for the existence of the God of the world's major monotheistic religions; the problem of evil; the relation of religion and morality; and the relationship between religion and modern science.
PHI-302 CHRISTIAN ETHICS (3)
Probes the Biblical and theological aspects of 20th century ethics; social awareness, societal conscience, and the affectation of change in society.
PHI-308 PHILOSOPHICAL BACKGROUNDS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH (3)
Deals with the problems that arise in relating the facts of human experience to the truths of the Christian Faith.
PHI-305 CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN ETHICS (3)
Examination of the systems by which moral decisions are made and the criteria of value and evaluation which they presuppose.
PHI-310 SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH (3)
A study of the relationship between Christian principles and the modes of human organization.
PHI-320 CHRISTIAN AESTHETICS (3)
The nature and aims of art and of the aesthetic experience, criteria of judgment and standards of criticism in the various genre of art; literary, visual, auditory and performance.
PHI-401 LOGIC AND THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY (3)
Elementary logic oriented to the needs of the minister. The emphasis is placed upon integrity, clarity and precision in argument.
PHI-402 CHRISTIAN ETHICS IN A POSTMODERN WORLD (3)
Video also available This course examines critical questions such as abortion, euthanasia, bioethics, human sexuality, politics, war, capital punishment, race, the arts, and the environment from a biblical viewpoint.
PHI-420 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION (3)
Study of the nature of religion and religious experience, it’s varieties, and the metaphysical, epistemological and ethical problems involved in examining their meaning in life.
PHI-450 ORIENTAL PHILOSOPHY (3)
In depth study of the major philosophical systems of India, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia including various schools of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism in comparison to Christian Philosophy.
PHI-460 POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY (3)
Study of theories of the state, authority and the individual, law, natural rights and the nature of justice in comparison to Christian Philosophy.
PHI-501 WESTERN PHILOSOPHIES OF RELIGION (3)
Study the nature and experience of Western religion, it’s varieties, the metaphysical, epistemological and ethical problems involved in examining meaning.
PHI-503 THEISM (3)
A study of the belief that their is creator and supreme ruler of the universe; and of the Biblical confirmation of that belief.
PHI-500 EASTERN PHILOSOPHIES OF RELIGION (3)
Study of the nature of eastern religions and religious experience, its varieties, and the metaphysical, epistemological and ethical problems involved in examining their meaning.
PHI-501 WESTERN PHILOSOPHIES OF RELIGION (3)
Study of the nature of Western religions and religious experience, it’s varieties, and the metaphysical, epistemological and ethical problems involved in examining their meaning.
PHI-712 AMERICAN PHILOSOPHIES IN RELIGION (3)
Study of the nature of American religions and religious experience, it’s varieties, and the metaphysical, epistemological and ethical problems involved in examining their meaning.
PHI-713 THEISM (3)
A study of the belief that there is a creator and supreme ruler of the universe; and of the Biblical confirmation of that belief.
PHI-504 HISTORICAL SURVEY OF ETHICS AND MORALITY, A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE (3)
Survey of the history of ethics and morality.
PHI-515 LANGUAGE AND LOGIC A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE (3)
Selected topics in semantics, semiotic, formal logic and scientific method are examined in relation to contemporary theories of meaning and truth.
PHI-520 CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY (3)
Main trends of 20th Century philosophy: pragmatism, analytic philosophy, positivism, existentialism and phenomenalism.
PHI-530 SELECTED TOPICS THE HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY (3)
Intensive study of the lives works and influence of selected philosophers or of the nature and influence of selected schools or periods in the history of philosophy.
PHI-535 HISTORICAL SURVEY OF PHILOSOPHERS (3)
Survey of Philosophers down through history to present day.
PHI-570 PHILOSOPHY AND THE COSMOS, A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE (3)
An in-depth examination of the major world views which have characterized the human experience, their epistemological assumptions and their historical impact on religion, politics, morals and the
arts.
PHI-601 COMPARATIVE RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHIES (3)
A comparative study of world religious philosophies.
PHI-704 DIRECTED RESEARCH IN CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY (3)
This course focuses on the research, and preparation of that research for the dissertation. The student will learn how to organize knowledge within his field for presentation in a standard scholarly fashion.
PHI-710 THE PROPOSAL FOR THE DISSERTATION (3)
This course requires that the student present in an acceptable proposal form the research done in course for review and analysis in lieu of final course examination.
PHI-711 THE DISSERTATION (12)
The student will develop and compile an original work demonstrating the ability to add to the body of knowledge in his field for presentation to the university. Dissertation to be 150-300 pages, original, type written, bound and presented in approved form.
PHI-601 COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS (3)
Definition of religion, comparison and analysis of various aspects, including rituals, social, experiential, and symbolic.
PHI-602 RECENT TRENDS IN RELIGION (3)
Comparison of recent changes and trends in religion.
PHI-603 METHODS OF CRITICAL THINKING, A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE (3)
Selected topics contemporary Anglo-American philosophy from Moore to Wisdom.
PHI-601 COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS (3)
Definition of religion, comparison and analysis of various aspects, including rituals, social, experiential, and symbolic.
PHI-709 DIRECTED RESEARCH IN PHILOSOPHY, A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE (3)
This course focus on the research, and preparation of that research for the dissertation. The student will learn how to organize knowledge within his field for presentation in a standard scholarly
fashion.
PHI-710 THE PROPOSAL FOR THE DISSERTATION (3)
This course requires that the student present in an acceptable proposal form the research done in
course PHI-704 for review and analysis in lieu of final course examination.
PHI-711 THE DISSERTATION (12)
The student will develop and compile an original work demonstrating the ability to add to the body
of knowledge in his field for presentation to, and acceptance by the university. Dissertation to be
150-300 pages, original, type written, bound and presented in approved form.
Copyright © 2009 The President and Fellows of Petrus Fidei Seminary & University
Because philosophy is such a broad field, you can put a concentration in philosophy to a very wide range of uses. Some majors go on to do graduate work in philosophy, with a view to teaching philosophy in a college or university. But more go on to other careers: in law, public service, journalism, business, computer science, medicine, religion and the arts. There is strong statistical evidence that philosophy majors do very well on the admissions tests required for graduate work in other areas.
The study of philosophy helps its students to develop their ability to analyze and clarify ideas, to think logically, and to present their ideas and arguments effectively, both orally and in writing. Because philosophers have historically focused on the most difficult and abstract questions, they have cultivated a standard of expository clarity and rigor rarely stressed so emphatically elsewhere. These abilities are useful in many occupations. Moreover, the development in recent years of the study of ethics in religion, medicine, business, law, and environmental studies, has encouraged the use of philosophy as a preparation for these enterprises. It makes sense to study philosophy for many professional reasons, not only to learn to teach it to the next generation.
Philosophy can also be a way of inquiring into the concepts and methods of other disciplines you might be interested in, such as physics or anthropology or religion or the arts. Thus the concentration or a minor can be used as an adjunct to other studies. They can also be used by someone who is inclined not to become too specialized, as a way of investigating a wide variety of topics while at the same time pursuing a concentration.
Many of these advantages can, of course, be gained without concentrating in philosophy, by taking a minor, or simply by taking a number of courses in it.
Philosophy
PHIL 160 - Moral Principles and Problems
Section 001
This course introduces students to principles of moral philosophy, and provides them with an opportunity to apply what they learn to the ethical questions we face in life. The overarching goal is to give students the conceptual resources they need to think about difficult and controversial ethical issues in a systematic and critical way. The lecture portion of the course will provide a systematic introduction to moral theory, aimed at equipping students with the concepts and tools needed to analyze moral problems and develop their own moral positions. The primary focus will be normative ethics, that is, philosophical theories about the nature and principles of moral rightness and wrongness. The dominant active traditions in normative ethics — natural rights theory, social contract theory, and consequentialism — will be given extensive treatment, though we will also discuss egoism, divine command theories, virtue theories, and moral particularism. Some topics from meta-ethics will also be discussed, in particular relativism, subjectivism vs. objectivism, non-cognitivism vs. realism, and the relation of morality to rationality. Throughout an effort will be made to tie questions in ethics to empirical issues in psychology, social and political theory, and anthropology, as well as questions in decision theory and game theory. Each discussion section will focus on a distinct area of applied ethics of contemporary concern. Discussion section leaders will seek both to ensure that students understand and can apply the contents of the lectures, and to introduce them to additional material — empirical, normative, and conceptual — that pertains to the section’s special topic.
Philosophy
PHIL 180 - Introductory Logic
Section 001
Credits: 3
This is a first course in logic and critical thinking. The course will be divided into two parts: (a) informal logic which involves analyzing and evaluating arguments using fallacy theory and theory of definitions, and (b) formal logic which involves symbolizing arguments and evaluating them using truth-tables and natural deduction. This course will be helpful to those planning on writing standardized tests for law school, graduate school, or medical school. It is also good background for more advanced logic courses, and in general, it is a good course for improving reasoning skills with applications to any field.
Philosophy
PHIL 181 - Philosophical Issues: An Introduction
Section 001
Fate, Freedom, and Happiness
1. Free Will
We take ourselves to be capable of genuinely free choice and action. When free, nothing makes one act as one does, and it follows that one could have done other than what one actually did.
2. Three Fatalist Arguments
Philosophers have worried that, if true, certain claims about the universe make freedom impossible. Consider two logical principles about the future: (1) either you will eat an egg salad sandwich for lunch tomorrow or you won’t; therefore (2) the future-tense statement that you make today, “I will eat an egg salad sandwich” is either true or it is false. Suppose it is true. Then you will eat egg salad tomorrow, but it also seems to follow that you must. You can do nothing else tomorrow, for that would make today’s true statement false—an absurdity. On the other hand, if today’s statement is false, it seems to follow for the same reasons that you cannot under any circumstances eat egg salad tomorrow. Whether tomorrow’s egg salad is necessary or impossible, you will have no freedom in the matter.
Or consider belief in an omniscient being like God. If God is all knowing, then he knows what you will freely do before you do it. But if she already knows that you will decide tomorrow to lunch on egg salad, then it must be the case that you have egg salad tomorrow; otherwise, he will have been wrong. But it is absurd to claim that he knows what you will do and he is wrong. Yet, if you must have egg salad no matter what, you have no freedom in the matter.
Finally, consider the belief that every event occurs because of prior causes that determine it in strict accord with the laws of nature. Given its causes, then, each event must happen precisely as it does. Humans are parts of the universe, so each act is determined by its causes to occur just as it does. Since one could not have done other than what one did, one never acts freely.
That’s philosophy; reasonable assumptions lead us into startling dilemmas: either freedom is an impossible illusion or universal causation, omniscience, and future truth are. The aim of the class is to get out of these binds if we can. Careful examination may uncover unwarranted beliefs or fallacious inferences. Or there may be another way out of perplexity.
3. Human Happiness
Though the universe or the will is not as we hope, that may not undermine what is most worthwhile in human life—pursuit of what is good. So, the class concludes with an investigation of the nature and importance of happiness.
Philosophy
PHIL 196 - First Year Seminar
Section 001
Causation, Responsibility, and the Force of Language in The Brothers Karamazov
Excerpts from The Brothers Karamazov are often discussed in introductory philosophy classes, but reading the novel closely reveals that philosophical questions are raised on every page. For example, Dostoevsky explores judgment and punishment, moral luck, the distinction between doing and allowing, special obligations (especially those to family), the nature of testimony, the relationships between intention, causation, and culpability, and the force of our words and actions on others. We will read Dostoevsky's novel alongside work in contemporary analytic philosophy that refines and tries to address the questions it raises.
Philosophy
PHIL 196 - First Year Seminar
Section 005
A Moral Institution?
This course examines moral dimensions of the University and its faculty, students, and staff in their roles as citizens of an academic community. Our goal is to help students think about how to approach participation in this community and develop their deliberative competencies by questioning academic life and the University from moral and social standpoints. We will organize our inquiries into three domains: academic integrity; the University as an academic community; the University’s moral obligations as an institution.
Philosophy
PHIL 201 - Introduction to Logic
Section 005
An introduction to logic at the elementary level. Topics include discussions of such notions as the validity and invalidity of arguments, fallacies in reasoning, the nature of argument, and the justification of belief. Basic elements of deductive reasoning are considered, and there is a survey of fundamental principles of modern formal logic. Elements of inductive reasoning may also be discussed.
Philosophy
PHIL 202 - Introduction to Philosophy
Section 001
This course introduces students to philosophy through an examination of some central philosophical problems. Topics might include some of the following: Are minds immaterial spirits, or are minds brains and hence nothing but complex physical objects? If human actions are causally determined by heredity and environment, is there any moral responsibility?
Is abortion, or euthanasia, or suicide, morally permissible?
Is the nature and extent of our moral obligations determined by our feelings, self-interest, social convention, Divine commands, or something else?
What are the reasons for preferring one kind of social, political, and economic organization to another?
Are there good reasons for believing that God exists? How do we know that anything exists, other than ourselves? Some sections focus on major historical figures, e.g., Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, and Kant; others focus on writings of twentieth century philosophers.
Philosophy
PHIL 224 - Global Justice
Section 001
Current controversies over globalization take place against a background of severe poverty in much of the world, extreme economic inequalities between rich and poor countries, and profound international effects of domestic policies. To understand these controversies, we must engage both normative and social scientific questions. This interdisciplinary course on global justice therefore integrates approaches from political philosophy and political economy. It is co-taught by faculty from the departments of philosophy and economics. Foundations of development economics and theories of global justice are introduced and applied to specific issues such as immigration, free trade, child labor, and sweatshops.
Philosophy
PHIL 232 - Problems of Philosophy
Section
This course is open to students from all areas of the University. No previous work in philosophy is assumed. First-term undergraduates are welcome. The course will provide an introduction to some fundamental philosophical problems drawn from a variety of branches of philosophy. The course also seeks to develop, through written work and intensive discussion, skills in critical reasoning and argumentative writing. Topics will be selected from among the following: determinism, free will, and moral responsibility; arguments for and against the existence of God; skepticism about knowledge of the material world; the nature of personal identity; the relationship between mind and body; egoism, altruism, and the nature of moral obligation; and the ethics of belief and nature of faith. There will be two required papers and a midterm and cumulative final examination.
Philosophy
PHIL 362 - Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion
This course covers, among other topics: traditional arguments for the existence of the God of the world's major monotheistic religions; the problem of evil; the relation of religion and morality; and the relationship between religion and modern science.
PHI-302 CHRISTIAN ETHICS (3)
Probes the Biblical and theological aspects of 20th century ethics; social awareness, societal conscience, and the affectation of change in society.
PHI-308 PHILOSOPHICAL BACKGROUNDS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH (3)
Deals with the problems that arise in relating the facts of human experience to the truths of the Christian Faith.
PHI-305 CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN ETHICS (3)
Examination of the systems by which moral decisions are made and the criteria of value and evaluation which they presuppose.
PHI-310 SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH (3)
A study of the relationship between Christian principles and the modes of human organization.
PHI-320 CHRISTIAN AESTHETICS (3)
The nature and aims of art and of the aesthetic experience, criteria of judgment and standards of criticism in the various genre of art; literary, visual, auditory and performance.
PHI-401 LOGIC AND THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY (3)
Elementary logic oriented to the needs of the minister. The emphasis is placed upon integrity, clarity and precision in argument.
PHI-402 CHRISTIAN ETHICS IN A POSTMODERN WORLD (3)
Video also available This course examines critical questions such as abortion, euthanasia, bioethics, human sexuality, politics, war, capital punishment, race, the arts, and the environment from a biblical viewpoint.
PHI-420 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION (3)
Study of the nature of religion and religious experience, it’s varieties, and the metaphysical, epistemological and ethical problems involved in examining their meaning in life.
PHI-450 ORIENTAL PHILOSOPHY (3)
In depth study of the major philosophical systems of India, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia including various schools of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism in comparison to Christian Philosophy.
PHI-460 POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY (3)
Study of theories of the state, authority and the individual, law, natural rights and the nature of justice in comparison to Christian Philosophy.
PHI-501 WESTERN PHILOSOPHIES OF RELIGION (3)
Study the nature and experience of Western religion, it’s varieties, the metaphysical, epistemological and ethical problems involved in examining meaning.
PHI-503 THEISM (3)
A study of the belief that their is creator and supreme ruler of the universe; and of the Biblical confirmation of that belief.
PHI-500 EASTERN PHILOSOPHIES OF RELIGION (3)
Study of the nature of eastern religions and religious experience, its varieties, and the metaphysical, epistemological and ethical problems involved in examining their meaning.
PHI-501 WESTERN PHILOSOPHIES OF RELIGION (3)
Study of the nature of Western religions and religious experience, it’s varieties, and the metaphysical, epistemological and ethical problems involved in examining their meaning.
PHI-712 AMERICAN PHILOSOPHIES IN RELIGION (3)
Study of the nature of American religions and religious experience, it’s varieties, and the metaphysical, epistemological and ethical problems involved in examining their meaning.
PHI-713 THEISM (3)
A study of the belief that there is a creator and supreme ruler of the universe; and of the Biblical confirmation of that belief.
PHI-504 HISTORICAL SURVEY OF ETHICS AND MORALITY, A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE (3)
Survey of the history of ethics and morality.
PHI-515 LANGUAGE AND LOGIC A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE (3)
Selected topics in semantics, semiotic, formal logic and scientific method are examined in relation to contemporary theories of meaning and truth.
PHI-520 CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY (3)
Main trends of 20th Century philosophy: pragmatism, analytic philosophy, positivism, existentialism and phenomenalism.
PHI-530 SELECTED TOPICS THE HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY (3)
Intensive study of the lives works and influence of selected philosophers or of the nature and influence of selected schools or periods in the history of philosophy.
PHI-535 HISTORICAL SURVEY OF PHILOSOPHERS (3)
Survey of Philosophers down through history to present day.
PHI-570 PHILOSOPHY AND THE COSMOS, A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE (3)
An in-depth examination of the major world views which have characterized the human experience, their epistemological assumptions and their historical impact on religion, politics, morals and the
arts.
PHI-601 COMPARATIVE RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHIES (3)
A comparative study of world religious philosophies.
PHI-704 DIRECTED RESEARCH IN CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY (3)
This course focuses on the research, and preparation of that research for the dissertation. The student will learn how to organize knowledge within his field for presentation in a standard scholarly fashion.
PHI-710 THE PROPOSAL FOR THE DISSERTATION (3)
This course requires that the student present in an acceptable proposal form the research done in course for review and analysis in lieu of final course examination.
PHI-711 THE DISSERTATION (12)
The student will develop and compile an original work demonstrating the ability to add to the body of knowledge in his field for presentation to the university. Dissertation to be 150-300 pages, original, type written, bound and presented in approved form.
PHI-601 COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS (3)
Definition of religion, comparison and analysis of various aspects, including rituals, social, experiential, and symbolic.
PHI-602 RECENT TRENDS IN RELIGION (3)
Comparison of recent changes and trends in religion.
PHI-603 METHODS OF CRITICAL THINKING, A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE (3)
Selected topics contemporary Anglo-American philosophy from Moore to Wisdom.
PHI-601 COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS (3)
Definition of religion, comparison and analysis of various aspects, including rituals, social, experiential, and symbolic.
PHI-709 DIRECTED RESEARCH IN PHILOSOPHY, A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE (3)
This course focus on the research, and preparation of that research for the dissertation. The student will learn how to organize knowledge within his field for presentation in a standard scholarly
fashion.
PHI-710 THE PROPOSAL FOR THE DISSERTATION (3)
This course requires that the student present in an acceptable proposal form the research done in
course PHI-704 for review and analysis in lieu of final course examination.
PHI-711 THE DISSERTATION (12)
The student will develop and compile an original work demonstrating the ability to add to the body
of knowledge in his field for presentation to, and acceptance by the university. Dissertation to be
150-300 pages, original, type written, bound and presented in approved form.
Copyright © 2009 The President and Fellows of Petrus Fidei Seminary & University
DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
Petrus Fidei
Seminary & University
INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND LETTERS
Ecclesiam Dei Fide Aedificabo
Philosophy core courses
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