Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
Degree Codes: Program- AB Plan- AB-PHL
Ethics (GEETHIC)
3 units
This course introduces the students to the principles of moral reasoning and ethical behavior at the levels of the individual person, society, and ecological systems with the aim of promoting values and character formation. The course is divided into three major parts. The first looks into the meaning, scope, and value of ethics as a philosophical discipline, and clarifies the nature of moral personhood and conditions of accountability. The second examines the basic contentions of the normative ethical theories of consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics, and their various forms. The third critically analyzes ethical issues as they occur in various concrete contexts that include biomedicine, business, natural environment, computing, law and politics, arts, sports, and social media. Case studies in both national and international settings shall be used in the explication of the ethical theories and in the applications of these theories..
Logic and Critical Thinking (THINKIN)
3 units
THINKIN (LOGIC AND CRITICAL THINKING) is a core subject at the College of Liberal Arts. It aims to develop the creative and critical thinking skills of students by introducing them to the principles of correct reasoning. This course covers topics in informal reasoning, formal deductive reasoning, and inductive reasoning. Students are expected to apply the skills that they will learn in this course in evaluating real-life issues.
Introduction to Philosophical Problems (PHILPRO)
3 units
The Course, PHILPRO, Introduction to Philosophical Problems, is a major course in the AB Philosophy program, which aims to introduce students to the philosophical endeavor through examining some of the significant and key issues in philosophy such as the problem of evil, the problem of value and the problem of free will, and other problems that matter. As philosophers, we try to find out whether our views on the above can be supported with rational arguments, or whether we have to give them up in light of closer scrutiny.
Women in Philosophy (PLMWOMN)
3 units
PLMWOMN (Women in Philosophy) is a survey of the lives and works of women in philosophy. The course will examine the roles of women in the history of philosophy from the ancient to the present times, the views of women thinkers on certain fundamental questions and problems in philosophy, and the project of feminist philosophy. This course shall introduce students to the ideas of some of the world’s greatest (and sometimes unknown) women philosophers and how they have molded the development of thought. Topics such as liberal/ reformist vs. radical feminism, recent controversies over definitions of feminism, and discourses on sex, gender and intersectionality will also be contextualized in the course.
Symbolic Logic (PLMSYLO)
3 units
If logic is the study of correct forms of reasoning, symbolic logic is the study of formal theories of logic. PLMSYLO: Symbolic Logic is an introductory philosophy course aimed to teach students these formal theories and show their applications in various forms of reasoning. In particular, this course will cover classical and some nonclassical first-order logics, and their respective model theories and proof theories. In this course, students will be able to develop their formal reasoning skills by creating models and proofs of various arguments.
Ancient Philosophy (PLMANCI)
3 units
PLMANCI (Ancient Philosophy) is a major philosophy course that covers the historical development of Western thought during the ancient period, that is, from the time of the predecessors of philosophical cosmogonists to the time of the post-Aristotelians. The emphasis will be on reading of translated classical texts and analysis of arguments presented by ancient Greek philosophers. Careful reading of a standard history text will provide the context.
Medieval Philosophy (PLMEDVL)
3 units
This course offers a coherent narrative of Medieval Philosophy to undergraduate students. This shall be accomplished through a critical examination of the core philosophical problems and issues that shaped the development of Christian, Islamic, and Jewish philosophies from the 8 th century through the succeeding centuries to the 15 th century and beyond. This close examination shall make use of collections of selected primary readings and commentaries of major philosophical issues that correspond to this stage in the history of western thought. An important aspect of the development of Medieval Philosophy that will come under scrutiny is its impact to the succeeding periods and its relevance to understanding today’s global society. The intended learning outcome for the undergraduate students is the ability to diagnose and evaluate persistent issues of man and society in comparative perspective according to the praxis of the Medieval thinkers.
Philosophy of Religion (PLMRELS)
3 units
Philosophy of Religion (PLMRELS) introduces students to the philosophical study of the meaning and nature of religion and the analysis of related concepts like “God” or “Ultimate Reality,” It looks into belief systems, religious language, and the practices of various religious adherents, as well as arguments for and against the existence of God, the attributes of God, and issues concerning suffering and evil. It looks into issues concerning both monotheistic and non- monotheistic religions, religious diversity, agnosticism and atheism using various philosophical lenses. In line with the Lasallian Guiding Principles, this course instills in the students the values of critical thinking and open-mindedness, together with intellectual honesty and integrity. It endeavors to broaden their intellectual and cultural horizons by exposing them to views generally different from what they hold, while giving them the opportunity to be open and be respectful to them in the hope that they will develop a more inclusive or pluralistic stance on important issues that influence their own ways of thinking and living. This course also encourages them to put the ideas they learn into action, for the improvement of their immediate communities and beyond, and to prepare them for meaningful work after their life in the academe.
Indian Philosophy (PLMINDI)
3 units
Description: Indian Philosophy (PLMINDI) introduces students who have no or little background in Eastern Philosophy, to the philosophical schools of thought that originated in India. For those with substantial background in Oriental thought, this course provides a venue for discussion and exploration of Indian philosophical systems with a view to a comparative study between Eastern and Western thought. It surveys the major schools of thought within Indian philosophy, with emphasis on classical thought and major commentaries from contemporary thinkers. In line with the Lasallian Guiding Principles, this course instills in the students the values of critical thinking and open-mindedness, together with intellectual honesty and integrity. It endeavors to broaden their intellectual and cultural horizons by exposing them to views generally different from what they hold, while giving them the opportunity to be open and be respectful to them in the hope that they will develop a more inclusive or pluralistic stance on important issues that influence their own ways of thinking and living. This course also encourages them to put the ideas they learn into action, for the improvement of their immediate communities and beyond, and to prepare them for meaningful work after their life in the academe.
Modern Philosophy (PLMMDRN)
3 units
Modern Philosophy is a course which investigates and surveys the fundamental teachings of the prominent Modern European Philosophers of the seventeenth to nineteenth century. These Philosophical systems range from the philosophical systems of Rationalism, Empiricism, Kantian Philosophy, German idealism, the Post Idealist systems to Nietzsche’s philosophy. Furthermore, the aforementioned philosophies focus on the domain of Epistemology, Metaphysics, the foundations and history of consciousness, of selfhood and ethics.
Social and Political Philosophy (PLMSOCI)
3 units
The core questions of Political Philosophy – and of Social Philosophy – concern the notion of “just society.” True to their philosophical character these are generative questions. By this we mean that they challenge the way we think; make us evaluate our claims and our bases for them; and, motivate us to ask further questions. The history of this branch of Philosophy reminds us that both its accomplishments and persistent challenges point to the mutual entailment between philosophical inquiry and the need to reduce the conflict and tension between individual wellbeing and wellbeing on the highest possible social level. An important lesson from the last 40 years teaches us that polities and citizens need answers in the form of policies that work, structuring norms that guarantee stability, and institutional arrangements that allow individuals and societies to flourish together. So, inquiries about the state, government, politics, justice, law, rights, duties, equality, and liberty should be inspired by goal of improving the state of affairs of our shared lives. This will as well benefit inquiry itself with its concomitant assurance that we can still rely on our rational spirit. We will, therefore, continue the tradition of philosophical inquiry not only to live the hope that we can conquer ourselves but also contribute earnestly to search for that elusive institutional arrangement of living together that allows all to achieve a life of human flourishment.
Chinese Philosophy (PLMCHIN)
3 units
Chinese Philosophy (PLMCHIN) introduces students who have no or little background in Eastern Philosophy, to the world views that originated in China. For those with substantial background in Oriental thought, this course provides a venue for discussion and exploration of Chinese philosophical systems with a view to a comparative study between Eastern and Western thought. It surveys the major schools of thought within Chinese philosophy, with emphasis on classical thought and major commentaries from contemporary thinkers. In line with the Lasallian Guiding Principles, this course instills in the students the values of critical thinking and open-mindedness, together with intellectual honesty and integrity. It endeavors to broaden their intellectual and cultural horizons by exposing them to views generally different from what they hold, while giving them the opportunity to be open and be respectful to them in the hope that they will develop a more inclusive or pluralistic stance on important issues that influence their own ways of thinking and living. They are expected to be co-producers of knowledge by contributing to the discussions, volunteering relevant materials to supplement the lessons, and sharing their own discoveries that are related to the subject matter of the course. This course also encourages them to put the ideas they learn into action, for the improvement of their immediate communities and beyond, and to prepare them for meaningful work after their life in the academe.
Filipino Philosophy (PLMFILI)
3 units
Filipino Philosophy (PLMFILI) is an introduction to the history and the different problems and issues that surround Filipino Philosophy. As a relatively new discourse in the field of philosophy, this subject also develops the students’ ability to analyze, evaluate, and critique the various held theories or ideas regarding Filipino Philosophy. This serves as a preparation for their own formulation of arguments and theories on the subject matter.
Contemporary Epistemology (PLMCONT)
3 units
CONTEPI (Contemporary Epistemology) is an enabling major course in philosophy that introduces the students to various theories of knowledge as discussed in contemporary philosophy. Among others, the topics include epistemic internalism and externalism, foundationalism, contextualism, social and virtue epistemology, feminist epistemology, and the ideas of Gettier, Alcoff and Potter, Anderson, DeRose, Nozick, and Goldman.
Existentialism and Phenomenology (PLMEXIS)
3 units
The course provides an introduction to existentialism and the various ways existentialist philosophers have used the phenomenological method. It begins with a discussion of the writings of two 19th-century forerunners of existentialism, Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche. It then proceeds to a critical examination of the ideas of the three major phenomenologists: Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger, and Jean-Paul Sartre. It culminates with a discussion of the problem of the Absurd and Albert Camus’s philosophy of existentialist revolt.
Philosophy of Language (PLMLANG)
3 units
This course (PHILANG, Philosophy of Language) is a major philosophy course that introduces students to the various theories of meaning advanced by philosophers that include Frege, Russell, Moore, Carnap, Wittgenstein, Austin, Searle, Quine, Kripke, Grice, and Chomsky. The course examines the accounts of both ideal-language philosophy, which focuses on truth-bearing expressions and the relationship of language with the world, and ordinary-language philosophy, which focuses on expressions used in ordinary context and the relationship of language with its users. Through this course, students will learn how language in general shapes the way we think about the world and the manner by which we interact and relate with one another.
Postmodernism (PLMPOST)
3 units
This course introduces Postmodern Philosophy—its origins, assumptions, directions, and principles. It offers a historical-critical view of Postmodern Philosophy through an interdisciplinary study via philosophical, anthropological, and sociological readings. In particular, it clarifies the following: (1) The Postmodern Condition, (2) Postmodern Philosophy and the contexts of suffering and crises, (3) Postmodern Philosophy and reason, and (4) Postmodern Philosophy and its view of the Subject vis-à-vis Objective Reality.
Aesthetics (PLMESTH)
3 units
Whenever one encounters or experiences a certain work of art, say a painting, novel or a song, one inevitably immerses into a series of questions. Is this art? What does this mean? Can a song be beautiful but immoral? Can knowledge be obtained from fiction? How does a triangle represent femininity? Is art merely “subjective”? What about “taste”? Why do human beings create? Is art gendered? When a person reflects on these fundamental questions relating to beauty and the arts, one is doing aesthetics and philosophy of arts. This course is an introduction to aesthetics and philosophy of arts. This gives undergraduate students an overview of the perennial philosophical problems involving taste and different forms of art like visual (paintings, films, and photographs), literary (poetry and fiction), performance, and performing (dance and theater). With this, this subject attempts to explore how philosophers and artists, both Eastern and Western, struggle with said issues. This will also introduce students to several different approaches in the field of philosophy of art and aesthetics, such as analytic and continental.
Moral Philosophy (PLMMORP)
3 units
MORPHIL (Moral Philosophy) is an enabling major course that introduces that various theories of ethics: traditional ethics, metaethics, bioethics, and professional ethics. The first part develops the ethical problem through critical survey of teleological and deontological theories. These include Egoism, Eudaimonism, Act and Rule utilitarianism, Rational Intuitionism, and Ethics of Self-Determination. The second part is an introduction to meta-ethics.
Contemporary Metaphysics (PLMMETA)
3 units
CONMETA is a problem-based introduction to metaphysics. Metaphysics is the philosophical study of the general features of reality. In this course, we will tackle some of the central topics in this area of philosophy.
Philosophy of Science (PLMSCIE)
3 units
This course (PLMSCIE, Philosophy of Science) is a major philosophy subject that surveys some of the foundational issues related to the nature of science. Students will analyze and evaluate the basic concepts and practices within science by focusing on its metaphysical, epistemological, and axiological aspects. Furthermore, students will also be introduced to a number of topics in the philosophy of science such as the structure of scientific change, reductionism and the unity of science, and the like.
Philosophy of Mind (PLMMIND)
3 units
This course (PHIMIND, Philosophy of Mind) is a major philosophy course that surveys the basic philosophical issues concerning the nature of the mind with regard to its existence, identity, and relation to the body. Students will examine the significant role played by the mind in certain areas of philosophizing such as metaphysics and epistemology; and analyze the different claims and arguments of the major competing philosophical theories about the mind. The course will also introduce the students to some of the current topics in the philosophy of mind such as those related to the possibility of artificial or machine intelligence and the naturalization of the mind.
Philosophy Elective 1/2/3 (PLMELE1/2/3)
3 units (per elective)
PLMELE1/2/3 is an elective course for the Philosophy Majors, chosen from a pool of Philosophy courses that are either focused on a single philosopher’s works (e.g., The Philosophy of Nietzsche, The Philosophy of Sartre), on a specialized sub-topic with- in a traditional branch of Philosophy (e.g., Aesthetics of Modern Art, Philosophy of the Unconscious), on a specific strand within a philosophical school (e.g., Existential Phenomenology), or on methodologies employed in the study of Philosophy (e.g., Comparative Philosophy), or on more multidisciplinary areas of study (e.g., Philosophy of Comics, Environmental Philosophy) that are not covered in the specified major courses in the AB- PLM curriculum. In line with the Lasallian Guiding Principles, this course instills in the students the values of critical thinking and open-mindedness, together with intellectual honesty and integrity. It endeavors to broaden their intellectual and cultural horizons by exposing them to views generally different from what they hold, while giving them the opportunity to be open and be respectful to them in the hope that they will develop a more inclusive or pluralistic stance on important issues that influence their own ways of thinking and living. This course also encourages them to put the ideas they learn into action, for the improvement of their immediate communities and beyond, and to prepare them for meaningful work after their life in the academe.
Elective 1 (PLMELC1) 3 units
Elective 2 (PLMELC2) 3 units
3 unit elective course which the student majoring in philosophy can choose from the courses offered by any department under any college.
Practicum (PRCPLMA)
6 units
This course aims to integrate the skills learned in the philosophy major undergraduate courses and further hone them in their personal and professional development. The total number of hours required to complete and gain a three unit credit for practicum is 200 hours.
Senior Research 1 (PLMRES1)
3 units
Senior Research 1 (PLMRES1) is a culminating major course in philosophy. It is a thesis-oriented research work that deals with a philosophical problem/issue, where the student is expected to offer a solution or to present a novel way of viewing the situation.
Senior Research 2 (PLMRES2)
3 units
Senior Research 2 (PLMRES2) is a culminating major course in philosophy. It is a thesis-oriented research work that deals with a philosophical problem/issue, where the student is expected to offer a solution or to present a novel way of viewing the situation. Students are expected to produce a research work on a philosophical issue in any area of philosophy, evaluating these through the application of the different philosophical theories and tools discussed throughout their stay in the philosophy program.