DEPARTMENT
OF PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION
Studies
in Philosophy at the University of Liberia provide the opportunity for open-minded
inquiry and reflection on the most basic questions that concern man and the ultimate
dimensions of his world. In the quest for new and fuller meanings, the Department
of Philosophy and Religion offers a wide range of subjects that are intended to
cater to the needs and requirements of students minoring in Philosophy.
There
are no areas of specialization but special areas have been chosen to form the
backbone of the program. The course covers the Greek era, the Medieval era and
the modern-contemporary era. Courses in logic, ethics and metaphysics are offered
in keeping with the tradition of teaching philosophy. Two courses have been developed
to cover the vast and intricate area of African Philosophy in an attempt to answer
the question: Does a genuine African philosophy exist?
Course
Description
300
Philosophy - Introduction to Philosophy
The course is a pre-requisite to all courses in philosophy offered and is intended
to provide the students with the fundamental concepts and meaning of philosophy.
The subject-matter consists in the historical and critical analysis of definitions,
concepts, systems and problems of philosophy.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
301
Philosophy - Ancient Greek Philosophy
A
history of the development of classical Greek philosophy from the pre-Socratic
to the closing of the pagan schools in Athens in the 6th century A.D.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
302
Philosophy -The Political and Ethical Thoughts of the
Greeks
An
examination of Greek political and ethical philosophy, with special emphasis on
the ethical and political works of Plato and Aristotle; an attempt to apply the
resources of Greek thought to some of the perennial issues of our times.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
303
Philosophy - Medieval Philosophy
A
study of the major philosophical positions of Augustine, the neo-Platonists through
Aquinas; their relevance to Christianity.
304
Philosophy - Modern Philosophy
A
detailed examination of the classical positions taken on the issues of the self,
God, man and the world; rationalism versus empiricism including the position adopted
by Kant.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
305
Philosophy -Contemporary Philosophy
A
study of the works of the principal existentialists and phenomenology; the problem
of the true humanity and of the real. The works of Sartre and Hiedegger constitute
the source and the terminus ad quo of the discussions.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
306
Philosophy - Religion, Science and Philosophy
Neither
the Holy Bible nor the Koran can ba considered as textbook of science; the unanswered
questions of these two books will be taken up and reviewed from the scientific
and philosophic stance; materialism, its positive and negativa sides to be investigated;
the discussion concerns issues of the world, man and God and their Inter-relationships.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
307
Philosophy - Ethics or Moral Philosophy
This
course studies human conduct, its relation to the ultimate causa or principle
of morality and to the proximate norm of consequence. Ethics examines critically
the problems of moral responsibility and imputability, human liberty, sanctions,
etc.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
308
Philosophy - Introduction to African Philosophy
The
major question to be answered: Does a genuine African Philosophy exist? The contributions
of various commentators are considered.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
309
Philosophy - Rational Psychology
This
course analyzes the ultimate principle of life. It examines the nature, constitution,
properties and functions of the rational soul as essentially distinct from the
life principles of plants and brute animals. It also considers such problems as
psychological liberty, spirituality and immortality of the rational soul.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
400
Philosophy - African Philosophy
Ancient
or traditional thought as representative of the rationality of man and as the
basis for present social, ethical and political philosophies in Africa today is
examined. African communallsm is also investigated.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
401
Philosophy - General Metaphysics or Ontology
This
course studies being-berth necessary and contingent under the category of substance
and accident - as the fundamental basis of all philosophy. Metaphysics examines
the relationship between Being and non-being. Absolute and contingent realities,
the ontological principles of casualty, contradiction, etc.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
402
Philosophy - Cosmology and Philosophy of Science
The
course covers early Greek attempts to provide a philosophic answer to the question
regarding the essential nature of the physical universe the cosmos as well as
the methods of modern science to test their validity. It seeks to discover the
philosophical grounds for the answers provided by ancient and modern philosophers
to the question of the ultimate character of the world.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
403
Philosophy - Logic
This
course coven the general and specific principles of human reasoning and comprises
a critical analysis of terms, Ideas, or concepts, propositions, simple apprehension,
judgements, syllogism, etc. It further examines the possibility and the ultimate
foundation of human certitude and the problems of human knowledge.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
405
Philosophy- Theodicy or Natural Theology
This
course examines the meaning of purely philosophical arguments and problems Involving
the existence, nature and attributes of the Absolute Being (God) or the Uncaused
Cause as the ultimate foundation of all contingent reality. Theodicy rationally
gives arguments for the relation that exists between God and creatures.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
404
Philosophy - The Grant Philosophers
The
course surveys the major thinkers In the Western tradition. The principal objectives
of the course are to trace the development of philosophy from the pre-Socratic
era to the moderners, and to show philosophy as the thought of remarkable individuals
and not as an integral part of cultural, social and political life. These objectives
demand more account of individual thought than is usually given by historians.
The course is designed primarily for philosophy majors as well as other Interested
students.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
