Extensive Notes for Introductory Philosophy (DISTINCTION)

Description

These extensive notes for ARTS1361, Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality, are organised week-by-week, with a summary of the assigned readings, including notes from Descartes' principal text 'Meditations', followed by lecture material. Key terms and discussion points have been highlighted for quick reference, with dot-points for easy reading. Notes are fully typed and links have been provided to readings where they were available. CONTENTS / TOPICS COVERED - The basis of arguments - Ideas of God (including omnipotence) and the Problem of Evil - Theories of knowledge (epistemology) - Metaphysics - The Mind/Body Problem - Scepticism, Dualism and Materialism - Identity and personhood, including explanations of Soul Theory, Memory Theory, the no-self view and Narrative Theory - Theories of being (ontology) - The main arguments of Plato, Aristotle, Galileo, Hume and Descartes - Modal logic - Possible worlds - Free will and Determinism - Time travel - Truth - Constructivism and Relativism The week 5 notes also includes an analysis of the text 'A Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality', which is no longer an assigned reading but provides useful and interesting information on the topic of personhood, to extend your knowledge.