Thought Experiments: Intro to Philosophy
Explore philosophical concepts through thought experiments. Learn to use imagination in philosophical inquiry.
Explore philosophical concepts through thought experiments. Learn to use imagination in philosophical inquiry.
This course introduces students to philosophical inquiry through thought experiments. Participants will learn to use their imagination systematically to explore fundamental philosophical questions and concepts. The course covers four types of thought experiments used in Western philosophy, focusing on conceptual analysis of key philosophical ideas such as knowledge, reality, mind-body relationships, free will, personal identity, and ethics. Students will engage with classic philosophical problems and contemporary debates, developing critical thinking skills and the ability to construct and evaluate philosophical arguments.
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What you'll learn
Understand the role of thought experiments in philosophical inquiry
Analyze and critique philosophical concepts using imaginary scenarios
Explore fundamental questions in epistemology, metaphysics, and ethics
Develop skills in conceptual analysis and argument construction
Engage with classic philosophical problems and contemporary debates
Apply philosophical thinking to real-world ethical and social issues
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
4.5 Hours PreRecorded video
8 assignments
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There are 8 modules in this course
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to philosophical thought experiments and their application in exploring fundamental questions in philosophy. Students will learn to use their imagination systematically to analyze concepts, test theories, and explore hypothetical scenarios across various philosophical domains. The curriculum covers key areas such as epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, ethics, and political philosophy. Through engaging with classic thought experiments and developing their own, students will enhance their critical thinking skills, learn to construct and evaluate philosophical arguments, and gain a deeper understanding of major philosophical problems and debates.
The problems of philosophy
Module 1 · 2 Hours to complete
The Gettier problem
Module 2 · 1 Hours to complete
The problems of scepticism
Module 3 · 1 Hours to complete
The mind-body problem
Module 4 · 1 Hours to complete
The problem of free will
Module 5 · 1 Hours to complete
The problem of personal identity
Module 6 · 1 Hours to complete
The is-ought problem
Module 7 · 1 Hours to complete
The problem of justice
Module 8 · 4 Hours to complete
Fee Structure
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Instructor
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."
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4.1 course rating
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