Philosophy: The Big Picture – Alignment

B.C. Standards: Social Studies – Philosophy 12

Course Summary

This course will take you on an exciting adventure that covers more than 2500 years. Along the way, you’ll run into some very strange characters. For example, you’ll read about a man who hung out on street corners, barefoot and dirty, pestering everyone he met with questions. You’ll read about another man who climbed inside a stove to think about whether he existed. Despite their odd behavior, these and other philosophers of the Western world are among the most brilliant and influential thinkers of all time. As you read about them, you’ll see where many of the most fundamental ideas of Western civilization came from. You’ll also get a chance to ask yourself some of the same questions these great thinkers pondered. At the end, you’ll have a better understanding of yourself and the world around you, from atoms to outer space and everything in between.

Course Outline

Unit 1: The World of Wonder

Unit 2: From Mythology to Philosophy

Unit 3: Socrates, Aristotle and Plato

Unit 4: Hellenistic Philosophy: How Can Humans Be Happy?

Unit 5: Christianity and Philosophy in the Middle Ages

Unit 6: The Rise of Modern Western Philosophy

Unit 7: Western Philosophy in the Nineteenth Century

Unit 8: Western Philosophy in the Twentieth Century

B.C. Learning Standards / Applicable Course Units
Curricular Competencies
• Use philosophical inquiry processes and reasoning skills to respond to arguments and questions related to major issues in philosophy / This standard is met consistently throughout the assessment pieces for this course (research and opinion-based papers, critical thinking and discussion questions, labs and activities)
• Analyze philosophical ideas and assess their significance (significance) / This standard is met consistently throughout the assessment pieces for this course (research and opinion-based papers, critical thinking and discussion questions, labs and activities)
• Compare the justification for different philosophical perspectives after investigating points of contention and the strengths and weakness of various arguments (evidence) / This standard is met consistently throughout the assessment pieces for this course (research and opinion-based papers, critical thinking and discussion questions, labs and activities). For example: students will be discussing their opinion on Plato and Aristotle’s differing views on the physical world.
• Compare and contrast continuity, change, and contrast between ideas, disciplines, and schools of thought (continuity and change) / Standard is met throughout the units and assessments. Example: Students will complete a lab that traces the evolution of the questions or issues that philosophers raise in regards to beauty.
• Assess the development and impact of diverse ideas and systems of thought (cause and consequence) / Standard is met throughout the units and assessments. Example: Students will study Thoreau and his thoughts on nature and how they related to his thoughts on Native Americans. His diverse systems of thought led to his life reflecting his thoughts in ways that were rare at the time.
• Explain different philosophical perspectives by considering the norms, values, worldviews, and beliefs of the philosophers who developed them (perspective) / Standard is met throughout the units and assessments. One example: Students will discuss the ideas of Marx and Bentham and explore the concept of philosophers as political activists, and the idea that philosophers can put their ideas into practice.
Content
• methods of reasoning and argument in philosophy / Standard is met throughout the course through the exploration of a range of philosopher’s ideas and how those ideas are argued. Students will also have many opportunities to justify their own philosophical theories, and to also provide reasoning as to why they agree or disagree with specific philosophical theories that have been put forth.
• metaphysical theories about the nature of reality / Standard is met throughout the course. Students will specifically trace the progression of philosophical thought in the realm of Mythology and how concepts of nature and reality were explained and evolved through to the 20th century. They will also explore Thoreau’s ideas regarding nature.
• ontological theories of being / Standard is met throughout the course. Students will explore this specific branch of metaphysics by reading about various theories regarding human life and existence and the meaning of ‘being’ and life in general. They will also learn about Saint Anselm’s ontological theories.
• epistemological theories about knowledge and truth / Standard is met throughout the course. Specifically, students will learn about the role of knowledge and truth in philosophy through their study of Plato, Socrates and Aristotle and their respective theories.
• theories of justice and freedom / Standard is met throughout the course. Students will explore the topics of freedom of thought and justice in terms of the Golden Rule, free will and determining right from wrong.
• theories of morality and ethics / Standard is met throughout the course. For example, students will complete a lab regarding Bernoulli’s ideas about mistakes and the choice to do the right thing.

This course aligns at 100% to the above standards.