Philosophy Courses

PHI 201 Logic and Critical Thinking (3 credits)

This course improves your God-given ability to think. You learn how to use logic and critical thinking to formulate clear, sound arguments, evaluate others’ reasoning and evidence, and detect fallacies in flawed arguments. You will learn key elements of argument structure, inductive reasoning, probability, deductive reasoning, formal logic, and categorical logic.

Outcomes:

1. Understand the essential concepts, principles, and methods of logical reasoning
2. Be able to detect and avoid fallacious reasoning in the arguments of others and in your own arguments
3. Be capable of formulating and evaluating both deductive and inductive arguments
4. Appreciate the value of critical reasoning and precision in the use of language
5. Continue to develop habits of thinking and communicating with logical rigor and clarity

PHI 211 Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits)

This class examines big questions philosophers have asked about reality, being, God, cosmology, reason, mind, heart, human identity, time, and ethics. The class will explore various answers offered by secular and Christian thinkers in various cultures throughout history. 

Outcomes:

1. Identify some areas of perennial inquiry by philosophers, such as ontology (being), epistemology (knowing), logic (valid argumentation), ethics (morality), the universe and time (cosmology).
2. Know some major philosophers throughout history and their contribution to philosophy.
3. Understand and evaluate some of the most influential claims of various philosophers.
4. Discern how concepts and ideas are rooted in different world views and cultural assumptions.
5. Grasp and articulate distinctively Christian answers to important philosophical questions.

PHI 221 Christian Philosophy (3 credits)

The very idea that there can be such a thing as a Christian Philosophy has long been denied and seldom tried. This course will explain why some Christian philosophers of the 20th century concluded that a Christian philosophy is possible, and will end with a brief account of one proposal of such a theory, the Christian theory of reality developed by Herman Dooyeweerd (1894 – 1977).

Because the notion that there can be philosophy theories that are Christian is such an unusual one in the history of Christian thought, many of the 36 lectures will explain and expand that idea. Only then will it be possible to appreciate and assess the theory constructed by Dr. Dooyeweerd.

Outcomes:

1. Learn about the Christian Philosophy school of Dr. Herman Dooyweerd. 
2. Develop critical philosophic discerning and thinking skills. 
3. Embrace the importance of philosophy in the lives of Christian leaders.
4. Recognize the contribution Christian Philosophy has brought into the marketplace of ideas.

PHI 230 Ethics (3 credits)

This course focuses on living according to God’s pattern for us. We study biblical commands and their wise application to various life situations. We expose demonic strategies of temptation and learn about spiritual warfare. We seek ways to express the Christ-life within us by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

 Outcomes:

1. Learn how to love God and neighbor by following Christ in the Spirit’s power.
2. Learn specifics of godly conduct taught in the Ten Commandments and other Scriptures.
3. Apply biblical ethics to various contemporary situations.
4. Understand some historical and philosophical trends that have shaped ethics.
5. Grow in awareness of spiritual warfare and learn how Spirit-filled believers put on the armor of God and triumph over the devil, the world, and the flesh.

PHI 330 Sexual Ethics (3 credits)

This course provides and overview of a biblical and theological approach to questions of marriage, sexuality, and gender. This includes questions of marriage and singleness, bioethical questions surrounding procreation, contraception, and assisted reproductive technologies, and questions surrounding sexual and gender identities. These matters are engaged from both an intellectual and pastoral standpoint with the goal of understanding both Scripture and our contemporary culture so that we can better minister in the present cultural moment.

Outcomes: 

1. Understand our life stories of:
   1. Singleness
   2. Marriage
   3. Family
   4. Sexuality

And how they are meant to put the Gospel story of Jesus on display.

1. Recognize how the biblical story of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation shape singleness marriage, family, and sexuality.
2. Be equipped to understand how to navigate difficult conversations around sex, bioethics, and LGBT+ people.

PHI 340 Philosophy of Religion(3 credits)

This course uses philosophical dialogue to show that religious experience can produce self-evident knowledge of God.

Outcomes:

1. Gain philosophical understanding of religious experience and self-evident knowledge.
2. Explore key elements of Christian epistemology (theory of knowledge).
3. Grasp that religious experience produces self-evident knowledge of God that is intellectually warranted apart from other evidence or arguments for God’s existence.
4. Understand and respond to objections and questions from those who do not believe in God.

PHI 350 Comparative Religions (2 credits)

This course teaches you how to approach the study of the religions of the world. There are five major faiths which will be discussed by Prof Clouser: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Outcomes: 

1. The student will learn a sampling of the words used in each faith and will gain an understanding of the basic ideas of each faith.
2. The student will develop a perspective from which he/she can interact with people who have a differing faith and do so with confidence of knowing something of the teachings of the other faith.
3. The student will gain an appreciation for her/his own faith as it relates to other religions in the world today.
4. The student will be able to discuss the concept of the divine as each faith expresses it, the content of a small sample of sacred writings from each faith, and give a reason for the faith that each student holds.