An examination of such central philosophical problems as ethics, theories of knowledge, the nature of reality, philosophy of religion and political philosophy. Critical Thinking 3 Emphasis on developing skill at logical criticism of arguments. Topics include informal fallacies, deceiving with statistics, the role of definitions in reasoning, the importance of evidence and confirmation. The biblical world view and modern science, controversies over the nature of Scripture, doctrines of religious authority, the nature of theological language and existentialist interpretations and myth. Philosophy in Popular Culture 1-4 Philosophical ideas expressed in popular media such as science fiction or fantasy literature, films and music.
Topics are variable.
May be repeated for up to four credit hours. Business Ethics 3 Ethical theory applied to moral problems in business. Corporate social responsibility, and ethical issues in advertising, personnel and investment. Social and Political Philosophy 3 Classical and contemporary views on such problems as the proper scope and functions of government, on what a just distribution of wealth is, and on the extent of an individual's rights, liberties and obligation to obey the law. The application of philosophical techniques to contemporary moral problems such as abortion, punishment, biomedical ethics, reverse discrimination and sexual morality.