Detailed Course Objectives (Modern European Philosophy)

In my course in Modern European Philosophy, I have five overraching course objectives, but each of those involves dozens of separate virtues and skills. Here I have provided some examples of those more specific skills. Others will be discovered and discussed in the context of our philosophical community.

1. Take interest in philosophical questions and follow through on that interest through reflection, conversation, and reading a succession of historical philosophers.

o For example, you will learn how to take issues that concern you from ordinary life and reflect on the underlying or overarching philosophical issues relevant to those topis.

o You will learn to invest energy in projects based on part on your personal interest in those projects.

o You will learn how to identify history philosophers that you particularly appreciate because they help you support your convictions, or offer productive challenges to your beliefs, or provide alternative points of view.

o You will learn how to see historical philosophers’ views in relation to each other, constructing a narrative that traces those ideas through a succession of thinkers.

2. Approach different points of view from a stance of humble self-confidence in your own ability to think, decide, listen, and communicate.

o For example, you will learn how to identify assumptions underlying both your own arguments and those of others.

o You will learn to challenge supposed epistemic authorities, those presenting ideas or interpretations that you might be tempted to simply accept without thinking for yourself

o You will learn how to engage in dialogue, debate, and collaboration with others in ways that both assert your own distinctive contributions and make room for learning from others’ points of view.

3. Investigate philosophical issues that matter to you with rational rigor, including self-criticism.

o You will learn to offer rigorous arguments (e.g. arguments that are “valid”) for provisional claims, including identifying key premises and the steps needed to get from those to your conclusions.

o You will learn to question your own assumptions and premises, including through bringing those into conversation/collision with historical philosophers who have very different assumptions.

o You will learn to relate abstract philosophical concepts to real-world/personally relevant issues and problems

4. Build a philosophical community and work together with others on common projects with patience, respect, diligence, empathy, and understanding.

o You will learn what it takes for you to be vulnerable and productive while engaging in conversations about difficult or unfamiliar topics

o You will learn to attend to what others require in order to be vulnerable and productive while engaging in conversations about difficult or unfamiliar topics

o You will learn some specific ways that you can help build a philosophical community

5. Engage others in philosophical discussion, including leading discussion on topics and figures of interest to you.

o You will learn how to present philosophical material in ways that are engaging to others (especially your peers)

o You will learn how to craft discussion questions in order to generate discussion amongst your peers.

o You will learn how to adjust your participation in discussion depending on whether you are in a small group or large group and whether you are leading or participating

o You will learn how best to prepare to participate in discussions led by others.