The Politics of Skepticism
Skepticism, from ancient Greek philosophers to today's critical thinking, shapes how we question authority and evaluate political claims and truths.
Skepticism, from ancient Greek philosophers to today's critical thinking, shapes how we question authority and evaluate political claims and truths.
This course delves into the history of Skepticism from ancient Greece to the present, focusing on its political implications. It covers debates between Plato and the Sophists, Christianity's rise in Rome, and the Renaissance's 'Skeptical Crisis'. The course explores key thinkers like Pierre Bayle, David Hume, and examines the Natural Law tradition. It also investigates the relationship between Skepticism and Conservatism. The second part of the course explores the systematic relations between Skepticism and politics, addressing questions about doubt, tolerance, and freedom of expression. Students will learn how Skepticism can be applied to solve political problems critically and creatively.
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What you'll learn
Understand the historical development of Skepticism from ancient Greece to modern times
Analyze the debates between Plato and the Sophists and their political implications
Explore the relationship between Skepticism and Christianity in the Roman world
Examine the 'Skeptical Crisis' of the Renaissance and its impact on political thought
Investigate the connections between Skepticism and the Natural Law tradition
Understand the role of Skepticism in the development of Conservatism
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
1.6 Hours PreRecorded video
3 peer reviews, 14 discussion prompts
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There are 8 modules in this course
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of Skepticism's history and its impact on political thought. Students will examine key debates from ancient Greece to modern times, including Plato vs. the Sophists, the rise of Christianity, and the Renaissance's 'Skeptical Crisis'. The curriculum covers influential thinkers like Pierre Bayle, David Hume, and explores the Natural Law tradition. The course also investigates the relationship between Skepticism and Conservatism, and how Skepticism has served as both a conservative and progressive force. In the latter part, students will explore the systematic relations between Skepticism and politics, addressing questions about doubt, tolerance, and freedom of expression. The course aims to demonstrate how Skeptical thinking can be applied to solve political problems critically and creatively.
Political Origins
Module 1 · 1 Hours to complete
Skepticism and Religion
Module 2 · 35 Minutes to complete
Skepticism and Natural Law
Module 3 · 1 Hours to complete
Skepticism and Conservatism
Module 4 · 57 Minutes to complete
There's a method to his madness: Responses to Cartesian Skepticism
Module 5 · 3 Hours to complete
Fallibilism, prejudices and toleration: Lessons from Pyrrhonian Skepticism
Module 6 · 2 Hours to complete
The marketplace of ideas: An imaginative argument for freedom of expression
Module 7 · 1 Hours to complete
The benefit of the doubt: Critical creative problem solving in politics
Module 8 · 1 Hours to complete
Fee Structure
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Instructors
1 Course
Lecturer in Philosophy at Erasmus University Rotterdam
Tim De Mey, born in 1973, serves as a Lecturer in Philosophy at the Erasmus School of Philosophy and has held guest professorships in various universities including Groningen, Helsinki, Turku, and Ghent. His scholarly work encompasses topics such as abduction, colors, humor, skepticism, scientific discovery, and thought experiments, with a particular emphasis on the significance of imagination and creativity in the acquisition of knowledge, especially within the realm of science. He is notably recognized for his contributions to the Community for Learning and Innovation, which have led to the development of three MOOCs to date, earning him the affectionate nickname "MOOCieMonster."
Lecturer in Philosophy at Erasmus University Rotterdam
Wiep van Bunge (born 1960) is a professor of the History of Philosophy at the Faculty of Philosophy, Erasmus University Rotterdam. He is a prolific scholar with a focus on the history of early modern philosophy, particularly the works of Spinoza and the Enlightenment.
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4.5 course rating
39 ratings
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