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Program in philosophical studies
The
Ralph McInerny Center for Thomistic Studies will offer a three-year
program in philosophical studies that will provide a wide-ranging
introduction to classical philosophy. This program will
consist of six courses over three years (during the fall and
spring semesters), each course consisting of 6 or 7 two-hour
sessions, including lectures and time for discussion.
This
program is intended for generally educated citizens who wish
to develop a deeper grounding in philosophy. No previous
formal study in philosophy is required. Our goal is
to provide people with sound philosophical “tools” that will
help them to evaluate and form judgments about problems and
issues facing them and their fellow citizens, drawing especially
on the ethics and metaphysics of Thomas Aquinas.
Our
first course will be an introduction to ancient Greek philosophy.
We will begin September 27, 2006 (Wednesday) from 7 to 9 p.m., at the
McInerny Center office at 616 E Street, NW, Suite 1214. Short
recommended readings will be provided online, along with suggestions
for further reading.
Classes
will be taught by Fulvio Di Blasi (University of Palermo),
Joshua Hochschild (Mt. St. Mary’s College), Ralph McInerny
(University of Notre Dame), Christopher Wolfe (Marquette University)
and other Visiting Professors.
Cost
of enrolling: $ 100.00 per course ($ 50.00 for students).
Some tuition grants are available. To register contact
the Center at 202-393-7777 or at mcinerny_center@verizon.net.
First course - fall 2006
I.
Philosophy, the Beginning
1.
9/27: Birth of Philosophy. Naturalists and Eleatics.
Purpose and Goal of Philosophical Studies.
2.
10/11: Sophists and Socrates. The Beginning of Moral
Philosophy.
3.
10/25: Plato: Theory of Ideas, Second Navigation, and Knowledge
as Remembering.. Myth, Faith and Reason.
4.
11/8 : Plato: Philosophy as “Training for Dying.” The
Human Soul. The Meaning of Life.
5.
11/15: Aristotle: Logic, Physics, and Theory of Knowledge.
6.
11/29: Aristotle: Metaphysics, Ethics, and Politics.
7.
12/13: Hellenistic Philosophy (Epicureans, Stoics, Skeptics),
and Neoplatonism.
Second course - spring 2007
II.
Philosophy through the Ages
1.
1/31: Medieval Philosophy.
2.
2/14: Augustine.
3.
2/28: Scholasticism.
4.
3/21: Aquinas.
5.
4/11: Early Modern Philosophy.
6.
4/25: Modern Philosophy.
7.
5/9: Contemporary Philosophy.
Third course - fall 2007
III.
Basic Principles in Natural
Philosophy and Logic
1.
9/19: The structure of logic (three parts, its relation to
the rest of philosophy).
2.
9/26: On the Categories - substance, accident, "the problem
of universals".
3.
10/10: Scientific and Dialectical Reasoning (Posterior Analytics,
Topics).
4.
10/24: Physics - motion, the four causes.
5.
11/7: Physics - the four causes (cont.), the first cause.
6.
11/28: On the soul - its definition.
7.
12/5: On the soul - its powers.
FOURTH course - spring 2008
IV.
Basic Principles in Metaphisics
1.
2/27: What
is Metaphysics? -preliminaries from logic and physics; controversy
over interpreting Aristotle.
2.
3/12: A
science of first principles -the characteristics of a wise
man; method of seeking first principles; abstraction.
3.
3/26: The
questions of metaphysics -the aporiae, especially concerning
the problem of universals and the question of immaterial being.
4.
4/9: A
science of being qua being -Analogy of being; real vs.
rational being; the real distinction between essence and existence.
5.
4/23: A
science of substance -Actuality; Aristotle vs. Plato on form.
6.
5/7: Theology
(a science of separate substance).
7.
5/21: Revealed
Theology and Metaphysics.
FIFTH course - fall 2008
V.
Basic Principles in Ethics and Political Philosophy
1.
9/17: Moral Philosophy: The Human Good; Man's Ultimate End; The Structure of the Human Act.
2.
9/24: Moral Philosophy: Freedom and Conscience; Habits; Virtues; Pleasure.
3.
10/8: Moral Philosophy: Natural Law; the New Natural Law debate; Utilitarianism and Kantianism.
4.
10/22: Political Philosophy: The Common Good; Authority, Law, Rights; Various Forms of Govt.
5.
10/29: Political Philosophy: Solidarity and Subsidiarity; Human Dignity and Life, Religious Liberty, Education.
6.
11/12: Political Philosophy: Family; Economics, Property, and Work; Foreign Affairs and War.
7.
12/3: Ethics and Politics: Law and Mores: How Regimes Shape People.
SIXTH course - spring 2009
V.
Philosophy in the Public Square: Debating Current Issues
1.
1/28: Law and Morality: What is the Legitimate Scope of Political Power Regarding Issues of “Personal Morality”?
2.
2/11: The Moral and Political Status of Human Life in its Earliest (Embryonic and Pre-Embryonic) Stages.
3.
2/25: Environmental Stewardship and Agriculture: Ethical Principles for Relating to Non-Human Life.
4.
3/11: The Death Penalty: Human Dignity and Capital Punishment.
5.
3/25: The Family in Public Policy: Families Ideal and Actual, and What Should Government Do?
6.
4/15: Immigratration.
7.
4/29: Homosexuality and Public Policy.
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