Introduction to Western

Philosophy

FALL 2021-22

Nevia Dolcini ndolcini@um.edu.mo

https://fah.um.edu.mo/staff/staff-philosophy/nevia-dolcini/
 GENERAL CONTENT

This course attempts to provide an

encompassing introduction to philosophy
by looking at some of the fundamental
problems philosophers discuss in a
number of different areas of Western
philosophy.
 AREAS OF PHILOSOPHICAL
INVESTIGATION COVERED BY THIS
COURSE

• Metaphysics
• Ontology
• Epistemology
• Philosophy of Mind
• Artificial Intelligence
 THE AIM

The main aim of the course is to invite

YOU

to do philosophy.
 2 SECTIONS

The course is divided into two sections and each

section is devoted to a key area within the Western
philosophy:

1.Knowledge & Reality : we will discuss problems

in epistemology, ontology, and metaphysics

1.Mind & Body: we will discuss problems in the

philosophy of mind and artificial intelligence
PLEASE NOTE:

YOU ’ RE REQUIRED TO
READ EACH LESSON ’ S
ASSIGNMENT CAREFULLY
& IN ADVANCE!
 REQUIREMENTS
• Please acknowledge that there will be a pop quiz in most
class sessions and on line T/F quizzes for homework (pls.
check the deadline for submission!).

• We’ll have a midterm examination and a final examination

• You must come to class with the printed reading material

• You are warmly invited to actively contribute to class

discussions
 EVALUATION

• Participation in class: 10%

• Quizzes: 30%
• Midterm Examination: 20 %
• Final Examination: 40%
 READING MATERIAL

• Pojman L.P., Fieser J. (Eds.), Introduction to

Philosophy. Classical and Contemporary Readings,
Oxford University Press, 2008 (Fourth Edition)
• Reading material uploaded on UM Moodle
• Teacher‘s presentations uploaded on UM Moodle
 TAKE NOTES!
Taking notes is a very important practice! Note
taking is a form (a very important one!) of self-
discipline.
By taking notes from my lectures, you will be able
to:

• Improve your ability to understand and organize

concepts
• better focus on the presented topics
• Record the essence of the information
• Better and faster improve your English
WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?
 THE MEANING OF “PHILOSOPHY”

PHILOS + SOPHIA

PHILOS = LOVE

SOPHIA = WISDOM

• Philosophy is the love of wisdom

• Philosophy begins with wonder at the marvels and misteries of the
world
• The aim of any philosophical inquiry is the truth
• The idea is that truth is good and worth pursuing for its own sake
(the truth for the truth)
HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY
OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY
THE EARLY PHASE OF PHILOSOPHY
IN GREECE
WHAT IS A PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEM?
1. What is imagination?
2. What is the origin of the universe?
3. Do we all have the same rights?
4. What are the causes of the flu?
5. What is friendship?
6. Is it legal to steal money?
7. Who am I?
8. Would I be the same person while having a different body?
9. What is the exact number of stars in the universe?
10. How do we know that the world is so and so?
11. Does the world exist at all?
12. Are drugs useful for enhancing human imagination?
13. What is the exact distance between the earth and the moon?
14. What is the best possible life?