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Course Code: 
PHIL 241
Semester: 
Fall
Course Type: 
Core
P: 
3
Lab: 
0
Laboratuvar Saati: 
0
Credits: 
3
ECTS: 
6
Course Language: 
English
Course Objectives: 
Introduction of the distingushing features of ontology by enabling the students to understand what an ontological argument is.
Course Content: 

This course focuses on questions such as "what is/are the meaning(s) of existence?", "what types of existence can we make sense of?", etc.. In addition to this, the views of Aristotle, Spinoza, Locke, Leibniz, Descartes, Kant concerning substance and attributes, categories, universals and particulars, physics and meta-physics, space and time will be discussed in detail.

Course Methodology: 
1: Lecture, 2: Question-Answer, 3: Discussion
Course Evaluation Methods: 
A: Testing, C: Homework

Vertical Tabs

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of this course a student:

Program

Learning Outcomes

Teaching Methods

Assessment Methods

1) is informed of the speciality of the ontological problematics.

1,2,3

1,2,3

A,C

2) is introduced with ontological concepts.

7,8,9

1,2,3

A,C

3) starts acquiring the knowledge of how to look at ontological arguments throughout history of philosophy. 

1,2,9

1,2,3

A,C

4) starts referring to ontological arguments in relation to theoretical and practical matters.

3,4,5,6

1,2,3

A,C
 
 

Course Flow

Week

Topics

Study Materials

1

Introduction to Ontology

Foundations of Ontology

2

 

 Theistic Arguments. 

1. Cosmological (Aquinas). 

Aquinas

3

2. Teleological (Hume). 

Hume

4

 

 3. Ontological (Anselm)

Anselm

5

 

  Atheistic Arguments. 

1. The Paradox of the Stone. 

-

6

 

2. The Problem of Evil (Leibniz) 

Leibniz

7

 

A Pragmatic Approach: Pascal's Wager (Pascal).

Pascal

8

MID-TERM

 

9

 

 C. Descartes’s Ontological Argument. 

Descartes

10

 

D. The Cartesian Circle.

Locke

11

D. The Circle of Our Own Ideas. 
1. Locke. 
2. Berkeley 

Berkeley

12

Cartesian Dualism (Descartes) 

1. A Statement of Cartesian Dualism (Ryle). 
2. Alleged Advantages of Cartesian Dualism. 

Ryle

13

3. Problems for Cartesian Dualism. 

a. Interactionism (Ryle). 
b. Other Minds (Russell) 

Russell

14

C. Mental States (Lewis, Dennett, Churchland).

Lewis, Dennet

15

Final Examination

 
 
 

Recommended Sources

Textbook

 

Additional Resources

Ontology Or the Theory of Being: An Introduction to General Metaphysics, Peter Coffey, Ulan Press (August 31, 2012)

Metametaphysics: New Essays on the Foundations of Ontology, ed. By.David Chalmers, David Manley ,Ryan Wasserman Oxford University Press, USA (April 25, 2009)

Routledge Companion to Metaphysics. Edited by Robin Le Poidevin Robin et al. New York: Routledge 2009,
 
 

Material Sharing

Documents

-

Assignments

-

Exams

-
 
 

Assessment

IN-TERM STUDIES

NUMBER

PERCENTAGE

Mid-terms

1

30

Assignment

2

30

Final Examination

1

40

Total

 

100

CONTRIBUTION OF FINAL EXAMINATION TO OVERALL GRADE

 

40

CONTRIBUTION OF IN-TERM STUDIES TO OVERALL GRADE

 

60

Total

 

100
 

 

COURSE CATEGORY

Area specific course
 
 

Course’s Contribution to Program

No

Program Learning Outcomes

Contribution

1

2

3

4

5

1

Grasps the fundamental concepts and analytical methods necessary to succeed in academic studies in the field of philosophy.

 

 

X

 

 

2

Acquires a versatile critical and analytical approach, and problem-solving, interpretative and  argumentative skills necessary for a successful career in philosophy.

 

 

 

X

 

3

Communicates effectively, is specifically successful in written and oral presentation, has proper capacities for teamwork and interdisciplinary studies, takes the initiative, has developed a sense of responsibility, contributes original ideas to the field of philosophy, and is loyal to ethical principles.

 

 

X

 

 

4

Reaches the perfection of pursuing professional and personal development by using all means of knowledge with a view to lifelong learning.

 

X

 

 

 

5

Develops a consciousness of professional and social ethics.

 

X

 

 

 

6

Gains the skills of choosing and developing contemporary means required in philosophical applications as well as using computing technologies effectively.

 

 

X

 

 

7

Acquires substantial knowledge of the history of philosophy.

 

 

X

 

 

8

Learns a classical and at least one modern foreign language so as to read the historical texts of philosophy in the original.

 

X

 

 

 

9

Pinpoints, recognizes, grasps and discusses the problems of philosophy within their context in the history of philosophy.

 

 

 

X

 

10

Develops perfection in reading, understanding and analyzing philosophical texts in different languages.

X

 

 

 

 
 
 

ECTS

Activities

Quantity

Duration
(Hour)

Total
Workload
(Hour)

Course Duration (Including the exam week: 15x Total course hours)

15

4

60

Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)

15

3

45

Mid-terms

1

10

10

Assignments

2

10

20

Final examination

1

15

15

Total Work Load

 

 

150

Total Work Load / 25 (h)

 

 

6

ECTS Credit of the Course

 

 

6
 
 

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