PH552/PH852
Murphy
PH552/PH852: METHODS IN PHILOSOPHY. Nancey Murphy.
DESCRIPTION:
- The aims of this course are: (1) to familiarize students with
changing conceptions of the nature of philosophy and a philosophy of methods
since the beginning of the Modern period; and(2) to investigate the consequence
of methodological changes for philosophy of religion, philosophical theology
(i.e., theological method), and apologetics. In the historical section of the
course we examine Cartesian rationalism, empiricist foundationalism, Kantian
critical method, and Hegelian idealism. We then examine the four current
options: analytic philosophy, continental philosophy, pragmatism, and
MacIntyre's tradition-constituted inquiry.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- No direct relevance.
COURSE FORMAT:
- This is a bi-level course for Ph.D. and Th.M. students and
advanced M.A. and M.Div. students. Class time will be divided between
lectures and discussion of the readings. Lectures by professor and visiting
scholar Heiko Schulz will address the background and significance of the
philosophers whose works we read.
REQUIRED READING:
- Hegel, G. W. F.. Introduction to the Lectures on the History of
Philosophy. University of Nebraska Press, 1994.
- Kant, Immanuel. Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics. Hackett,
1977.
- MacIntyre, Alasdair. Three Rival Versions of Moral Enquiry. Notre
Dame, 1990.
- Moser, Paul and Dwayne Mulder, eds. Contemporary Approaches to
Philosophy. Macmillan, 1994.
- Stout, Jeffrey. The Flight from Authority. Notre Dame, 1981.
- Readings from S. Kierkegaard (available in bookstore).
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Careful reading of assignments, regular attendance, class
participation. M.A. and M. Div. students will write ten 2-page papers. The
first page of each paper will summarize the method of the philosopher we are
reading; the second will describe the significance of the philosophical method
for philosophy of religion, philosophical theology, or apologetics. CATS
students will write a 20-30 page paper as per CATS requirements; topics to be
chosen in consultation with the professor.
PREREQUISITES:
- Permission of instructor required for masters students.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Methods seminar for CATS students in philosophy of religion;
elective for masters students.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- None.