Course Code: BTT03

Resources for Constructing Theologies: Western Philosophy

BD III, Semester 1, 2 Credit Hours, College Paper

Course Objectives

1. To provide an introduction to Western philosophy.
2. To help students know the interconnection of philosophical traditions and theology and ethics.

Course Requirement

• Final Examination: 60%
• Internal Assessment: 40%

Course Outline

UNIT I: Philosophical Framework of Modernism

• European Enlightenment.
• Primacy of Reason.

UNIT II: Introduction to Rationalism

• Descartes’ method of doubt, mind-body relation, proof for God’s existence.
• Spinoza’s God-Pantheism. Metaphysics and Ethics.

UNIT III: Introduction to Empiricism

• David Hume – Theory of Causation.
• A.J. Ayer – Language, Theory and Logic.

UNIT IV: Understanding Immanuel Kant

• Reconciling, Rationalism, and Empiricism.
• Categories of Practical Reason, Categorical Imperative.
• Notion of God.

UNIT V: Hegel and Marx

• Hegelian Dialectic and Absolutism.
• Cultural Materialism of Karl Marx.

UNIT VI: Post-Modernism

• Deconstructive Mode:
  • a. Michael Foucault.
  • b. Jacquis Derrida.
• Constructive Mode:
  • a. Process Philosophy – Major categories.
  • b. Emmanuel Levinas.

UNIT VII: Relationship Between Philosophy, Theology and Ethics

Bibliography

• • Frederick Copleston. A History of Philosophy.
  • Jones, W.T. An Introduction to Philosophy.
  • Rene Discartes. Meditations on First Philosophy.
  • Kant, Immanuel. Critique of Purism.
  • Kant, Immanuel. Critique of Practical Reason.
  • Hegel, GF. A Philosophy of History.
  • John, Cwputo. Deconstruction in a Nutshell.
  • Michael, Foucault. Archaeology of Knowledge.
  • David R. Griffin. Foundation of Postmodern Thought.
  • Ernmanuel Levinas. Totality and Infinity: An Essay on Exteriority.
  • Gine, Pratap Chandra. Amidst Theologies of Twenty-First Century: Some Pedagogical Issues. Edited. Serampore: Council of Serampore College, 2011.

All Subjects

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