2020/2021 GST211 COURSE COMPACT

Course
Course code: GST 211
Course title: Philosophy, Logic & Human Existence (2 Units)
Course status: (Compulsory)
Course Duration
Two hours per week for 15 weeks (30hours)
Lecturer Data
Name of the lecturer: Mr. Ogoma Daniel Ebun
Qualifications obtained: B.A., M.A. Phd in view
Unit: Directorate of University Wide Courses.
E-mail: ogoma.daniel@lmu.edu.ng
Office Location: Number 224, Wing B, New College building
Consultation Hours: Monday-Friday (8-10am, 3-5pm).

Course Content – Illustration below:

This course is, being an introductory, will expose the students to the major branches of
philosophy. The following shall therefore be seriously considered: meanings of philosophy,
nature of philosophy, core branches of philosophy such as: ethics, metaphysics, epistemology
and logic. These areas shall be deeply treated in the class.

Course Description – Illustration below:

This course is an introduction to Philosophy. It introduces the students to the rudiments of
Philosophy. The essentials of philosophy are therefore the major focus of the course

Course Justification – Illustration below:

The world is in dire need of philosophy. Philosophy, if properly taught, understood and
religiously followed, is capable of salvaging the world that is daily increasing in vices.
Philosophy teaches moral. It teaches one not to be dogmatic and the same time, to avoid
extremism. It teaches one to be critical of received ideas. It teaches one of the present world and
the other unseen world. Above all, it teaches one to be rational, logical and critical. This course
is therefore relevant to the society as a whole, and to the students in particular because, they are
the future leaders.

Course objectives
At the end of this course, students would be able to:
(i) explain the nature and meanings of philosophy
(ii) explain in details the major branches of philosophy
(i) Change their orientation about philosophy
 (ii) Understand the value of philosophy in the society
(iii) Be moral, rational, critical and logical in their thinking

Course Requirement – Illustration below:

To derive maximum benefits from the course and for fast grasping of the basic ideas of the
course, it is required that the students consult the Library from time to time. They would also
have to make use of the internet facilities. Above all, they are required to be regular and
punctual in class. Attendance is compulsory and timely submission of assignment is essential.
Method of Grading- An example below
S/N Grading Score (%)
1. IST CA 7
2. Mid-Semester Exam 15
3. 3RD CA 8
4. Final Examination 70
Total 100

Course Delivery Strategies – Illustration below:

Lecturing method complimented with class participation is the best for the nature of
this course.

LECTURE CONTENT
For this section- the lecturer provides the topic of each week, objectives, description, study
question and other information posted below.

 Week 1: Introduction: meaning and nature of philosophy

 Objectives (list the objectives)
The students at the end of the lectures for the week should be able to
understand and explain the different meanings and the pre-occapation of
philosophy
 QUESTION: Explain what you understand by philosophy

 Week 2: Branches of philosophy: Ethics

 The students at the end of the lecture for the week should be able to explain the major
themes of ethics and its values to the society
 QUESTION: How are the Consequentialists different from the Deontologists?
 Week 3: Branches of philosophy: Epistemology
 The students should be able to explain the meaning of epistemology, its core
 concerns.
 QUESTION: Explain the Gettier problem
 Week 4: Epistemology: The Sophists challenges and the reactions of the
rationalists and the empiricists
 The students at the end of the lecture for the week should be able to explain the
positions of the sophists, and critically examine the reactions of the rationalists and
the empiricists to them.
 QUESTION: Discuss the positions of the Sophists
 Week 5: Metaphysics; meaning and nature
 The students should be able to explain the meaning and nature of metaphysics.
 Week 6: Metaphysics: the question of the existence of God
 The students at the end of the lecture for the week should be able to critically examine
the various arguments for the existence of God. This is expected to increase their faith
in God more than ever before.
 QUESTION: Discuss Thomas Aquinas’ cosmological argument for the existence
of God
 Week 7: Metaphysics: Mind/ Body Problem

 The students should be able to explain the nature of the problem, and responses to the
problem

 QUESTION: Trace the origin of the mind/body problem

 Week 8: Mid-Semester Examination

 Week 9: Existentialism and Existence
 The students at the end of the lecture of the week should be able to explain the
philosophy of Existentialism and its basic themes and values.
 QUESTION: Discuss the notion that ‘existence precedes essence.’
 Week 10: Logic: Meaning and nature
 The students should be able to explain the meanings and nature of logic
 Week 11: Argument; meaning, forms and types
 The students at the end of the lecture for the week should be able to explain the
meaning, forms and types of argument
 QUESTION: Differentiate between inductive and deductive arguments
 Week 12: Rules of Inference
 The students should be able to understand and apply the simple rules of inference.
They should be able to commute arguments into mathematical forms and carry out
little calculations
 QUESTION: STATE THE RULES OF INFERENCE
 Week 13: Fallacy: meaning and types
 The students at the end of the lecture should be able to explain the meaning and types
of fallacy. They should also be able to recognize fallacious arguments
 QUESTION: Explain any five types of fallacy
 Week 14: Revision

 Week 15
Topic: Examination

Objectives:
To examine the students on all that has been taught during the semester.

Reading List:
 Adeniyi, R.O. (2004) (ed): Introduction to Philosophy and Logic, Lagos, Newsletters.
 Aboluwodi, A. (1998): Philosophy of Education: An Introduction, Lagos, Greenline
Publications.
 Benjamin, I. (2011) (ed): Philosophical Reflection on the Common Good in Africa:
Enugu, Delta Publications.
 Bertrand, R. (2000): History of Western Philosophy, London Routledge.