Philosophy is the systematic exploration and analysis of fundamental questions about the world around us and the human condition. Courses within this major are structured around the areas in which ANU Philosophy boasts a robust international reputation: epistemology, logic, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, moral and political philosophy, European philosophy, and Asian philosophy. The methodological core of Philosophy as a discipline lies in critically and explicitly addressing issues through argumentation and reasoning. By completing this major, students will develop the ability to critically assess arguments both for and against contentious positions, as well as to adeptly formulate and defend their own arguments in support of their beliefs. Courses engage with both historical and contemporary literature, often spanning diverse disciplines, and enable students to refine their interpretive and critical evaluation skills. Courses also tackle a wide array of significant and fundamental issues stemming from some of the most compelling and urgent real-world problems we currently encounter.
Learning Outcomes
- examine and describe major philosophical issues, theories, and positions across various fields and contexts;
- critically evaluate arguments in historical and contemporary literature that, where relevant, spans diverse disciplines, and analyse their core concepts, assumptions, and implications; and
- articulate and defend written and oral arguments for and against positions using rationally persuasive argumentation.
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
The Philosophy Minor requires the completion of 24 units from the following lists, which must include:
12 units from the completion of the following list:
PHIL1004 Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction (6 units)
PHIL1005 Logic and Critical Thinking (6 units)
A minimum of 12 units from the completion of the following list:
ASIA2054 Chinese Philosophy: Creation and Development (6 units)
PHIL2012 Buddhist Philosophy (6 units)
PHIL2014 Topics in Analytic Philosophy (6 units)
PHIL2020 Theories of Social Justice (6 units)
PHIL2042 Philosophy of the Cosmos (6 units)
PHIL2057 Philosophy of Science (6 units)
PHIL2061 Philosophy of Mind (6 units)
PHIL2074 Modern Theories of Knowledge (6 units)
PHIL2082 Sex and Death: the Philosophy of Biology (6 units)
PHIL2087 Nietzsche (6 units)
PHIL2122 Philosophy and Public Policy (6 units)
PHIL2125 Rationality and Social Cooperation (6 units)
PHIL2126 Science in Society: Ethics, Public Policy and Scientific Practice (6 units)
PHIL2127 The Philosophy of Time (6 units)
PHIL2128 Philosophy of Physics (6 units)
PHIL2129 Normative Ethical Theory (6 units)
PHIL2289 Leviathan, Art and Law: Constituting the Body Politic (6 units)
PHIL2290 Philosophy, AI and Society (6 units)
PHIL3073 Advanced Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy (6 units)
PHIL3074 Advanced Philosophical Topics (6 units)
PHIL3075 The Philosophy of Gender: Knowledge, Power, Bodies (6 units)
PHIL3076 Philosophy of the Life Sciences (6 units)
PHIL3077 The Metaphysics of David Lewis (6 units)
PHIL3078 The Philosophy of Emotions (6 units)
PHIL3079 Evolution and Human Nature (6 units)
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