An exploration of the lives, ideas and legacies of some important thinkers both past and present and East and West. Diverse contributions from the fields of science, religion, politics and culture will be connected by placement within a philosophical framework of understanding. Major figures from Classical antiquity will include Socrates, Plato, Confucius, Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad: from the Renaissance- Aquinas, Galileo, Luther and Shakespeare: from the Enlightenment- Descartes, Newton, Voltaire, Paine and Wollstonecraft: from more modern times Darwin, Marx, Nietzsche, Freud, Einstein and Wittgenstein. The course will seek to draw out the issues, questions and answers which continue to shape thinking in today's world.
Course aim
MAKERS of MODERN THOUGHT is an introduction to key thinkers who have shaped the understanding of ourselves and the world.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
- A general interest in news, current affairs, history, science and religious ideas will be an advantage. TV Documentaries by Bethany Hughes, Mary Beard and others are useful.
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Identify and comment upon a philosopher from Antiquity e.g. Plato, Buddha
- Identify and comment upon a philosopher from the Renaissance period e.g. Galileo, Luther
- Identify and comment upon a philosopher from the Enlightenment period e.g. Descartes, Paine, Voltaire
- Identify and comment upon a philosopher from modern times e.g. Darwin, Marx, Freud
- Comment upon the nature and importance of philosophy past and present.
What else do I need to know?
Material (slides) will be available on Canvas after each session. Notes will be available on paper and on Canvas but do make your own! Books about the key thinkers and philosophy are easily located. Some links to video material will be available on Canvas too.
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