Introduction to Philosophy

Course Summary

What is philosophy? What good is it? Join Dr Douglas Adeney to address these questions and then a couple of philosophy’s classic problems:  

(1)  The freedom of the will.  Are we genuinely free to act as we do?  Or are all our choices and actions totally decided by factors ultimately beyond our control?  What are the implications for e.g. our dignity and responsibility?

(2)  The nature of morality.  Can we know right and wrong, good and bad?  How so?  Or do moral judgements and beliefs just reflect the varying customs or preferences of societies or individuals?  Again, what are the implications?

A few pages of selected material will be available online before each class, with some comments and questions to aid comprehension and reflection.  It is intended that you should feel free to spend as much or as little time on this material as you find convenient. 

Presenter:  Dr Douglas Adeney lectured in philosophy for many years at Melbourne State College and then the University of Melbourne. Since 2011 he has greatly enjoyed teaching numerous CAE philosophy courses.

Douglas Adeney lectured in philosophy for many years at Melbourne State College and then the University of Melbourne. Since 2011 he has greatly enjoyed teaching numerous CAE philosophy courses. A non-academic friend of his was once asked by his wife what Doug did for a living. On hearing that he was a philosopher, she said ‘Oooh, he must be very intelligent … Or is he just weird?’ Come and decide for yourself.