Course overview
This course engages with some of the most influential thinkers from ancient Chinese-speaking world to the early twentieth century Europe through their own writings. It will explore ancient Chinese philosophers’ views on virtue ethics, consequentialism, human nature and moral cultivation, early modern philosophers’ views on the limits of knowledge and contemporary European philosophers’ views on what makes us human.
- Ancient Chinese Thinkers and Their Views on How We Should Live
- René Descartes on knowledge: The Meditations on First Philosophy
- Existentialism
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of the main views of ancient Chinese philosophers, early modern philosophers, and contemporary European philosophers on ethics, knowledge and human nature.
- Create and revise extended written arguments on ethics, knowledge and human nature as discussed by ancient Chinese philosophers, early modern philosophers, and contemporary European philosophers.
- Analyse and evaluate arguments about ethics, knowledge and human nature as discussed by ancient Chinese philosophers, early modern philosophers, and contemporary European philosophers.
- Reflect on the main views of ancient Chinese philosophers, early modern philosophers, and contemporary European philosophers on ethics, knowledge and human nature, and communicate thoughts and ideas about those views effectively.
Degree list
The following degrees include this course