Introduction to philosophy and philosophy of religion

1
Welcome

• Introduction to philosophy and philosophy of
  religion
• What is philosophy? Why study it?
• What are some of your views?
• Introduction to the Ancient Greeks

2
The contented pigs

• Which would you chose, discontented philosopher
  or contented person?
• Do you think the pig had to pick one or the other?

3
You are what you think

• We live life according to assumptions and ideas
  about what the world is like, that you picked up
  along the way
• People have a lot of great ideas and stupid ideas
  about reality. If you are able to sort out these
  ideas and make sense of them, you may be able to
  understand your own reality.
• During this course you will be able to examine
  for your selves which ideas make sense for you
  and which belong on the scrap heap of
  intellectual history
• We could be sometimes be getting personal. I
  would like to create an atmosphere where we are
  comfortable expressing ideas. Need for
  confidentiality makes a safe environment.

4
In pairs answer these questions. You will have
to summarise what your partner said, so make notes

• Why did you chose this course?
• How do you best learn or gain knowledge, through
  learning and logic or through experience and
  emotion?
• Do you believe in God?
• How would you define God?
• What is goodness?
• Is there life after death?

5
homework

• Buy Sophies World -Jostein Gaarder
• -you should start reading it, from start to end
• -You must read pp 1-40 by next week.
• Buy a folder and at least 8 dividers, for next
  lesson

6
Course documents foundations

• Important to look at the course content as a
  check list.
• If you feel not so confident in a particular area
  read up make notes on topic in
• -foundation for the study of religion (text book)
  OCR
• - philosophy of Religions and Religious ethics
  for OCR (easier summary, but cannot rely on this
  only, I have a copy and does not cost too much on
  Amazon)
• Look at examination questions for topic that
  studying and ask your self how would I (can I)
  answer this question?

7
Secret to Success

• Know what examiner is expecting of you and play
  the game, they are not there to trick you.
• Complete all home work
• Good time management, pace your self during the
  year. Plan time to plan your time, and write lots
  of to do lists.
• Well organized
• ASK FOR HELP from each other and from me. If you
  do not understand, then I will work out how to
  explain things in another way

8

• Do not get intimidated by fancy language, it will
  become easier, (LEARN THE WORDS)
• Enjoy the sixth form it is a wonderful time for
  self discovery, learning from life is just as
  important as what you learn in the classroom.
• You need to do the work set in order to get the
  results for your future life.
• Be responsible for your own learning. There is a
  lot of course content. I can give you the basic
  ideas an skills. In order to succeed you will
  have to do some independent learning, using
  sheets that I give you

9
Main branches of Philosophy

• Ontology being what exists?
• Epistemology knowing what do I know?
• Ethics acting how should I act?

10

• Find out how, when where why Socrates died.
  Write it up 100-150 words