(Recorded Course) Theories of Knowledge with Dr. Sam Nicholson

Learn how to think clearly with classical theories of knowledge, the challenge of skepticism, and the relationship between faith and reason -- with selections from Plato, Aristotle, Sextus Empiricus, St. Augustine, and St. Thomas Aquinas -- and gain a full semester of philosophy credit.

 NOTICE: This is an older course recorded with Adobe Connect and/or Vimeo recordings. We are currently working to replace the recordings with new Zoom recordings.  Please don't hesitate to email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com with any questions.

How to get the most out of Theories of Knowledge with Dr. Sam Nicholson.:

  • Check into moodle regularly to see which readings have been assigned, and to find external links to course materials.

  • Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes each live session. Make sure you follow the lectures carefully.

  • Read assigned readings, and re-read them if necessary. Contact the instructor via email with any questions you have about the readings or lectures.

  • Watch that week’s recording if you need to revisit information from our live session. Download the slides and review them along with your notes.

  • Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that week. Pay close attention to the deadlines for any graded assignments.

  • Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.

Total Classes: 12

 

Duration: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: None, other than a desire to learn new and exciting ideas.

Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade

Suggested Credit: One full semester Philosophy

 

Instructor: Dr. Sam Nicholson

Instructor Email: scn8v@virginia.edu

 

Course Description: What can we know and how do we know it? In this course, we will study the theory of knowledge from a philosophical perspective. We will examine classical theories of knowledge, the challenge of skepticism, and the relationship between faith and reason. We will read selections from Plato, Aristotle, Sextus Empiricus, St. Augustine, and St. Thomas Aquinas. In addition to gaining a useful background in epistemology and a familiarity with some of the classics of philosophy, we will also come to see how modern forms of skepticism have, for the most part, already been articulated and dealt with in antiquity.

Course Outline:

  • Class 1-2: Plato: Meno

  • Class 3: Plato: Republic (Selections)

  • Class 4-5: Aristotle: De Anima

  • Class 6-7: Sextus Empiricus: Selections

  • Class 8-9: St. Augustine: Against the Academicians

  • Class 10-11: St. Thomas Aquinas: On Faith and Reason

  • Class 12: Review

Course Materials: All readings will be made available online free of cost. It is still recommended that you purchase the relatively inexpensive Hackett editions of the following books:

  • Sextus Empiricus: Selections From the Major Writings, Aristotle: Basic Writings,

  • Plato: Five Dialogs, St. Augustine: Against the Academicians,

  • St. Thomas Aquinas: On Faith and Reason

Homework: Weekly readings from a course packet, and bi-weekly homework exercises. There will be quizzes every three weeks, a mid-term examination and a final examination. Expect to do between one and two hours of homework per class session. Most of the homework will consist in reading and note taking.