PHI-400: Philosophical Foundations

This content-rich course offers a wide and deep review of philosophical foundations for graduate students in theological and interfaith studies.

This module approaches this topic from the perspective of the interface between philosophy and religion, covering two major themes:

• Great ideas of philosophy
• Philosophy of religion

Videos are provided as supplemental material for each study period (1-5).

This revision of the course represents a merger of the older PHI-400 and PHI-410.

• Credit value: 3 (US standard) | 5 (ECTS standard)
• Indicative duration (full time): 2-3 weeks
• Indicative duration (part time): 4-6 week
• Certificate: Yes

This course is based on standard EUCLID methodology. Students may refer to the following resources:

Academic Guidelines (HQ version)
Academic Guidelines (most recent version even if unofficial)
Student Orientation Guidelines (most recent version even if unofficial)
Zotero instructions for EUCLID students

At the end of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Discuss majors ideas and figures of philosophy, with a focus on Aristotle, Plato, and Aquinas
2. Discuss key concepts associated with the field of study known as “philosophy of religion”
3. Discuss how theology interfaces with philosophy
4. Express arguments in favor and against the use of philosophy in Christian theology.

Some of the course material is provided in PDF format. Textbooks include:

• Great ideas of philosophy (Daniel Robinson)
• Six Ways Theology Uses Philosophy (David Foster)
• An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion (Davies Brian)
• A Companion to Philosophy of Religion (Philip Quinn)
• Toward analytic theology (Georg Gasser)