Philosophy

Western Philosophy

Twelfth grade

0.50 high school credits

Core curriculum

to see where this is scheduled in your curriculum.

Description

Philosophy is not traditionally taught in American high schools. We believe this deprives students of the training needed to ponder important questions and think independently. Knowledge of how history's greatest thinkers have approached philosophical questions should be part of the patrimony of every human being.

This course starts with a series of philosophy lectures from The Great Courses, organized by philosophical topic rather than chronologically.

Readings are completed alongside the lectures, starting with a unique book that presents the history of Western thought in the form of a novel.
Students then read primary sources selected from the masterpieces of Western philosophy, in chronological order.

By the end of this course, students will be familiar with the major concepts and thinkers of Western philosophy, and be equipped to think in a rigorous way about life's most essential questions.