Topics Education

Question It would seem to me that the best introductory college course in philosophy would be one that determines and explores what one's own philosophy is and its origins in history. It also seems to me that a multiple choice test could be created by someone very well versed in philosophy: if each question is answered truthfully, one's philosophy, its historical origins, and a reading list could be had at the end. Is there such a test? Does anybody approach college philosophy in that manner? If not, why not? The typical chronological approach to teaching philosophy belongs with the dinosaurs, in my opinion.

Accepted:
May 14, 2007

Comments

I think many would disagree with you. Unless you're an amazing genius, most likely "your philosophy" won't be terribly interesting in comparison to the pinnacles that have been reached over the millenia.

It's true that everyone has philosophical questions. (Just browse this site!) And a good introduction to philosophy should help students see how many of the questions they've been asking throughout their lives are very philosophical ones and how they connect to the ones that inspired the great figures in the tradition. But while many might also have answers to these questions, these are likely not as sophisticated, interesting, and beautiful as some of the answers developed by the greats.

Of course, students should be encouraged to take a critical stance toward those answers, to subject them to intense scrutiny. It's more likely in that way that students will develop a deep and interesting philosophy of their own.