This course offers a basic introduction to the history of philosophy and science, as well as general ethics. Students will explore the connections between epistemology, theories of reality, and the philosophical worldviews of key thinkers from antiquity to the present.
The course also introduces fundamental ethical theories, examining how they are justified by major philosophers. Through the study of these theories, students will develop the ability to connect ethical foundations with problem-solving and reasoning.
As preparation for further studies, the course includes an introduction to research ethics and the ethics of science.
The teaching is organized with online lessons that usually contain reading guides for the course literature, instructional texts for the online lessons, as well as audio or video lectures.
Knowledge
The students have:
- knowledge of the history of Western philosophy and science and how key thinkers have understood views on humanity, reality, knowledge, and humanity's place in society.
- knowledge of how the relationship between philosophy and Christian faith has been understood by certain key philosophers.
- knowledge of how the relationship between the individual and the community has been understood by central thinkers in the history of philosophy.
- knowledge of how central thinkers in the history of philosophy have understood the basis for ethical knowledge.
- knowledge of central normative ethical theories and how they are justified in light of theological ethics.
- knowledge of how ethical theories and reasoning can be applied to issues in research ethics and professional ethics.
Skills
The students can:
- justify their own interpretations and critically reflect on issues from the history of philosophy and science.
- discuss how different metaethical theories influence various ethical solutions, choices, and justifications in light of theological ethics.
- apply research ethical issues in their further studies.
- independently reflect on fundamental philosophical issues.
General Competence
The students can:
- communicate knowledge about the history of philosophy in various settings, both orally and in writing.
All course requirements and exams are individual and are submitted digitally.
Course Requirements:
To receive final assessment, you must:
- Attend the gathering on campus.
- Submit a first draft of your essay in moral philosophy. Required length is 1000 words.
- Give written feedback to a fellow student’s essay draft.
Deadline for submission is given at the start of the semester but notice that the requirements must be completed not later than two weeks before the exam date.
* See the document “Absence and Attendance at Fjellhaug International University College” for more details.
Final Assessment:
| Form of assessment | Duration | Grading Scale | Word Count | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Exam | 3 hours | A-F | History of Philosophy | |
| Written Essay | 1 semester | A-F | 2500 words | Moral Philosophy |
Final assessment is based on the written exam and the written essay. The exam counts for 40 % of the grade, while the essay counts for 60 %. The course and written exam will be graded A-E for pass and F for fail.
Some readings are available digitally on the school’s learning management system (LMS) and are marked with *.
History of Philosophy
Carroll, A. (2025). A History of Philosophy: The Condensed Copleston. Bloomsbury Continuum.
Moral Philosophy
Deigh, J. (2010). An Introduction to Ethics (Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy). Cambridge University Press.
A selection of source texts (circa 70 pages).
