The School of Philosophy and Bioethics pursues a deeper understanding of
what people are doing when they reason and make moral choices. The major
research strengths of the school lie in logic and metaphysics, applied ethics
and moral philosophy.
The school runs programs in two disciplines: philosophy and bioethics, each of
which articulate conceptions of the nature of the world we live in and offer
conceptions of life within a tolerant, liberal society. Research and teaching
are conducted with reference to traditional theoretical frameworks as well as
to the study of contemporary issues, at times challenging some of the
traditional notions and leading to theory development and modification. Fields
of study within the school include the history of ideas, world religions, and
contemporary issues such as ethics in a changing world.
Foundational ethical frameworks are brought to bear on specific issues in
political theory, in professional ethics, and especially in dealing with the
moral concerns that arise out of the application of new scientific advances to
human subjects.
Philosophy
is the study of fundamental ideas about the world we live in, about what would
constitute a good life in such a world, and about what could be done to make it
better.
Students are not expected to be persuaded by the doctrines of any one school or
tradition. Rather, we seek to deepen the understanding of a variety of
different world views. Students are encouraged to express any conclusions they
themselves may have reached concerning foundational questions, but they are
also expected to try to understand some of the influential conclusions others
have reached. Furthermore, it is essential that students try to understand what
reasons people have had for reaching those conclusions. Thus, we strongly
encourage students to study the theory of reasoning (logic) if they intend to
major in philosophy.
The following are other areas of study that are central to philosophy.
Metaphysics is the study of what sorts of things exist in the world, and how
they are related: for instance, whether there is a mind or soul and if so, how
it is related to the body. Epistemology is the study of what constitutes
knowledge of the world, and of what methods can be used to obtain it. Ethics
and aesthetics investigate what it is to make value judgements, and how such
judgements can be justified. Political philosophy investigates the principles
that underlie the structure of a good society.
Every human inquiry rests on general assumptions, which we take for granted
while we pursue more particular goals. At times however, in any discipline,
foundational questions arise. Anyone facing such questions, in any discipline,
is studying philosophy. Thus, for any discipline, there is an area of study
appropriately described as the philosophy of that discipline, for example the
philosophy of history, of psychology, of biology, of science, of law, of
mathematics, and so on.
Sometimes these foundational questions within a discipline can profitably be
explored by philosophers as well as by specialists in that discipline.
Philosophers can draw connections between the foundational problems arising in
one discipline and those arising in other disciplines. They can also attempt to
integrate different disciplines, at a foundational level, into a coherent
overall world-view.
Because the focus of philosophical concerns varies enormously, we provide a
wide range of options for study while at the same time attempting to ensure
that students have some acquaintance with the central problems and traditions
in philosophy.
Students wanting advice should first approach their tutors or lecturers in individual units. If problems persist, the students should approach the appropriate year-level coordinator. Year coordinators for 2002 will be Aubrey Townsend (first, second and third years) and Graham Oppy (fourth-year and graduate).
Several philosophy units are offered in flexible mode. All these units can be taken in any semester and are flexibly scheduled so that class commitments are kept to a minimum. Flexible learning mode units are also available in the summer. These units use Open Learning materials, but there is also a tutorial support service operating by telephone, fax and email. These basic resources are supplemented by two one-day workshops, usually held on a Saturday. The intention is that the flexible learning program should make philosophy units available to students whose work or other commitments make it difficult for them to attend regular classes on campus. The following units are normally offered in all three semesters in flexible mode:
For more details on flexible
learning units, contact the Philosophy section or visit its website at
http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/phil/
Closely associated with resource-based teaching is an alternative assessment
program. The Keller Plan is used in most of these units. In the plan, a series
of assessment tasks are completed in a specified order. Typically, the series
involves short exercises, an essay and tests. Each task has to be completed at
a satisfactory standard before moving on to the next, but students nominate the
standard to count as satisfactory (pass, credit or distinction) and can retry
on any task until that standard is achieved.
Philosophy offers four first-year units:
PHL1070 AND PHL1080 EMPLOY THE RESOURCE-BASED TEACHING STRATEGY EXPLAINED
ABOVE.
In order to undertake studies in PHL1020 (Introduction to philosophy B),
students should have satisfactorily completed either PHL1010 (Introduction to
philosophy A) or PHL1070 (Philosophy: life, death and morality) by the time the
course commences.
For a detailed description of these units, consult First-Year Philosophy at
Monash 2002, which is available from the Philosophy section or from
enrolment advisers.
All students must go to the Philosophy section during the week before the
semester begins to arrange tutorials.
Students may enrol in one unit (in either semester) or in an approved pair of units (usually one in first semester and the other in second semester) to form a first-year sequence in philosophy. The latter would be the normal first-year enrolment in philosophy. Approved first-year sequences in philosophy are:
or
A first-year
sequence in philosophy is the normal prerequisite for later-year philosophy
units. However, some later-year units have only one philosophy unit as a
prerequisite, and some others have no philosophy prerequisite at all.
STUDENTS MAY NOT TAKE 1010 AND 1070 WITHOUT SPECIAL PERMISSION FROM THE HEAD OF
THE PHILOSOPHY SECTION.
**
STUDENTS MAY NOT TAKE 1020 AND 1080 WITHOUT SPECIAL PERMISSION FROM THE
PHILOSOPHY SECTION.
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