Introduction to Philosophical Anthropology

Name: Introduction to Philosophical Anthropology
Rating: 4.3 (15 reviews)

All the key philosophical concepts for understanding the essentials of being human

Created byDr Daniel O'Shiel

Last updated 2/2023

English

What you'll learn

The key philosophical concepts when thinking about human beings
Thematic summaries of the key concepts, and their interrelations
A selection of the main philosophical theories and authors regarding these concepts
The value of understanding human beings theoretically, now and going forward

Course content

1 section • 12 lectures • 2h 4m total length

Introduction7:32
Examine what makes us human through key concepts in western philosophy, via philosophical anthropology rooted in anthropos and logos. Navigate a flexible, concept-driven course with lectures, readings, and quizzes.
Q1
Reality, Perception and Imagination15:43
Q2
Emotions and Values7:56
Q3
Freedom14:51
Q4
Space, Time and the Body11:06
Q5
Thinking and the Mind11:28
Examine what thinking is across mind processes, from explicit to intuitive, and trace how knowledge, judgment, reflection, reason, and logic drive decisions, action, and self-understanding.
Q6
Intersubjectivity, Language and Society11:56
Q7
Ethics and Politics11:20
Delve into ethics as moral philosophy, tracing virtue, deontology, and utilitarianism, and connect these ideas to contemporary politics, feminism, environment, and intersectionality for engaged citizenship.
Q8
Aesthetics and Art7:28
Explore aesthetics and art as core human domains, surveying theories of taste, Kant and the sublime, Sartre, Kandinsky, philosophy, and art’s role in imagination, ethics, and meanings.
Q9
Nature, Being and Metaphysics6:24
Q10
God and Religion8:42
Q11
Going Forward: Sex, Race, Environment and Technology9:54
Q12

Requirements

Simply an interest in the topic

Description

This course introduces the exciting theoretical field of philosophical anthropology, namely the study of human being through concepts. It is divided into 12 lectures (listed below); after a free introduction each one then focuses on a key concept or cluster thereof. It takes a thematic approach and draws on some of the most important and well-known theories from the history of Western philosophy, and it also includes the tutors own take and formulation on a number of important issues. Short and selective lectures introduce one into each idea where the main points and angles presently clearly and concisely. It is designed to get you thinking about your own humanity, as well as those of others, and it can be used as a good prelude to further study on this fascinating topic. Each lecture comes with a list for further reading and a quiz.

Lecture 1. Introduction

Lecture 2. Reality, Perception and Imagination

Lecture 3. Emotions and Values

Lecture 4. Freedom

Lecture 5. Space, Time and the Body

Lecture 6. Thinking and the Mind

Lecture 7. Intersubjectivity, Language and Society

Lecture 8. Ethics and Politics

Lecture 9. Aesthetics and Art

Lecture 10. Nature, Being and Metaphysics

Lecture 11. God and Religion

Lecture 12. Going Forward: Sex, Race, Environment and Technology

The lecture style is academic, with clarity and concision top priorities. It aims to give an overall picture of the main philosophical concepts when considering human being, and it should be these very that captivate and enchant. I hope you will try the introduction and enjoy the course!

Who this course is for:

This course is for anyone interested in learning about some of the basics of philosophical anthropology, for prospective undergraduate students who would like to familiarize themselves with the topic before or during further study, or anyone interested in a general and selective introduction to the topic.