Thought Experiments: Intro to Philosophy

This module introduces you to the four types of thought experiments that have been part and parcel of Western philosophy since its very inception, and focuses, more specifically, on the role that conceptual thought experiments play in attempts to put one's finger on the essence, core or nature of philosophically relevant concepts.

This module illustrates the role that thought experiments play in Socratic dialogues and conceptual analysis, by putting examples of and counterexamples to competing analyses of knowledge under close scrutiny.

This module distinguishes between different sceptical worries, suggesting that a motive for such scepticism about the external world, may be to avoid skepticism about knowledge.

This module discusses four contemporary materialist solutions to the mind-body problem, including the problem of qualia for materialism.

This module analyzes the consequence argument for the view that causal determinism is incompatible with both free will and moral responsibility, and considers some compatibilist alternatives.

This module explores theories of personal identity, including memory theory and psychological continuity theory, and their critiques.

This module considers several competing views in normative ethics and explores the open question argument in relation to analyses of good.

This module explores questions of the ideal state, social contract theories, and issues of distributive justice.