SemesterSpring Semester, 2025
DepartmentGeneral Education Courses in Humanities
Course NameThe Value of Life and Philosophical Reflection
InstructorTSE CHIU-YUI-PLATO
Credit3.0
Course TypeSelectively
Prerequisite
Course Objective
Course Description
Course Schedule












































































































































週次



Week

課程主題



Topic

課程內容與指定閱讀



Content and Reading Assignment

教學活動與作業



Teaching Activities and Homework


  
 

1

Introduction

Introduction

Lecture


 

2

Knowledge

How do we address skepticism about the external world?

Lecture


 

3

Mind

What is consciousness?

Lecture & Discussion


  

4

Free Will

Are we genuinely free, or is our behavior determined?

Lecture & Discussion


  

5

The Self

What is the self?

Lecture & Discussion


  

6

God

How does belief in God relate to the meaning and morality of life?

Lecture & Discussion


  

7

Holiday

N/A

N/A


  

8

Reasoning

What constitutes sound reasoning and logical argument?

Lecture & Discussion


  

9

The World

What is the nature of the external world?

Lecture & Discussion


  

10

Self-Study

Self-Study

Self-Study


  

11

What to Do

How should we live, and what determines moral actions?

Lecture & Discussion


  

12

Ethics

What is the basis of ethical principles and moral obligations?

Lecture & Discussion


  

13

Secret Societies

What role have secret societies played in the moral, social, and intellectual progress of humanity?

Lecture & Discussion


  

14

Secret Societies

Historical Origins, Symbolism, and Rites

Lecture & Discussion


  

15

Guest Talk

TBC

Lecture & Discussion


  

16

Secret Societies

The Templars, the Illuminati, the Freemasons

Lecture & Discussion


  

17

Self-Study

Self-Study

Self-Study


  

18

Final

Essay preparation

Topic Consultation


  

Teaching Methods
Teaching Assistant

TBC


Requirement/Grading

Attendance: 10%



Group Discussion: 30%



Final Essay: 60%



 



Assessment Criteria



90-100: The student is familiar with the thinkers’ positions and elaborates on the arguments that support the positions. The student proves his/her independent thinking and understanding by critically examining the arguments and defending them against possible counter-arguments.



80-89: The student knows the thinkers’ positions to a certain extent and shows an approximate understanding of the arguments. The student tries to develop his/her own critique or his/her own response to a possible critique, but the attempt is not effective.



70-79: The student conveys the central ideas in the texts/ of the positions correctly, but does not present the arguments in an organized, systematic manner. Nor does he/she consider any critique or possible answers to objections.



60-69: The student fails to explain the thinkers’ positions or arguments and shows a seriously incomplete understanding.



Below 60: The student shows the problems mentioned above and fails to complete the assignment.



 


Textbook & Reference

Blackburn, S. (1999). Think: A compelling introduction to philosophy. Oxford University Press.



Arnold, A. C. L. (1854). Philosophical history of Freemasonry and other secret societies; or, The secret societies of all ages considered in their relations with, and influence on, the moral, social, and intellectual progress of man. Clark, Austin, & Smith.


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