Basic Obligatory Courses
BO-01 Introduction to Western Philosophy (3)
The course Introduction to Philosophy aims at introducing seminarians to the world of philosophy and making them capable of reading, writing, and discussing philosophy intelligently. First of all, we discuss the necessity of philosophical education for future priests, and then, we attempt to answer some basic questions: (1) What is philosophy? (2) How to philosophize? (3) How to avoid fallacies in reasoning? (4) How to write a good philosophical work? (5)How to do different philosophical treatises emerge as a result of a philosopher’s search for wisdom?
Fr. Francis Chittinappilly CST
Bibliography
1. Congregation for Catholic Education. Decree on the Reform of Ecclesiastical Studies of Philosophy. 2011.
2. Edwards, Paul. Ed. The Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Vols 1-8. New York: The Macmillan Publishing Co. Inc. & The Free Press, 1967.
3. Honderich, Ted. The Oxford Companion to Philosophy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995.
4. Jaspers, Karl. Way to Wisdom: An Introduction to Philosophy. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1967.
5. Maritain, Jacques. An Introduction to Philosophy. London: Sheed and Ward, 1981.
6. Puthenpurackal, Johnson. Ed. ACPI Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Vols. I & II. Bangalore: Asian Trading Corporations, 2010.
7. Sinha, Nath Jadu. Introduction to Philosophy. Allahabad: Central Publishing House, 2009.
8. Weber, Alfred. History of Philosophy, trans. Frank Thilly. Torondo: Diamond Books, 2017.
BO-02 History of Philosophy I Ancient Greek Philosophy (3)
The History of Greek Philosophy starts with Thales, the initiator of philosophy, and ends in Epicurean and stoic thoughts. This study is divided into four sections, such as Pre-sophistic, Sophistic, and Socratic, Platonic and Aristotelian, and finally Epicurean and Stoic periods. These four periods are well unveiled with the right philosophical insights through discussions and arguments.
Dr. Libin Kozhikkottu CST
Bibliography
1. Blackburn, Simon. The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, 3rd Revised Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016.
2. Composta, Dario. History of Ancient Philosophy. Bangalore: TPI, 1990.
3. Copleston, Fredrick. A History of Philosophy. Vol, I. London: Burns and Oates, 1971.
4. Guthrie, W. K. C. A History of Greek Philosophy, vols. I-IV. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1974.
5. Masih, Y. A Critical History of Western Philosophy: Greek, Medieval and Modern. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas, 2017 (7th Edition).
6. Routledge History of Philosophy, Vols. I-II. London: Routledge, 1994
BO-03 History of Philosophy II Medieval Philosophy (3)
The theme that runs throughout the course of medieval philosophy is the compatibility of faith and reason. We begin our discussion by explaining how Christian apologists of the pre-medieval period defended their faith against heretics by making use of Greek philosophical concepts and confidently attempting a harmonious blend of faith and reason. ‘Medieval’ means ‘middle period’ between two great flowerings of culture, between Plotinus and Renaissance. Hence the disparaging light with which this period is viewed; because nothing
really new happened in philosophy during this period. And even when society evolved and underwent a radical transformation, such that the language of the people and their thought patterns were no longer that of the great medieval thinkers, the Church still insisted that the ‘truths of faith’ be taught according to old concepts and thought patterns, even when no one understood it. We discuss in some detail the philosophy of the great medieval thinkers such as St. Augustine, Boethius, St. Anselm of Canterbury, St. Thomas Aquinas, Dun Scotus, and William of Ockham. The discussion also covers the thoughts of Avicenna, Al Ghazali, Averroes, and Moses Maimonides.
Dr. Libin Kozhikkottu CST
Bibliography
1. Afran, Soheil. Avicenna: His life and works, London: George Allen & Unwin, 1958.
2. Anslem of Canterbury. Truth, Freedom and Evil: Three Philosophical Dialogues (trsl. Jasper Hopkins), New York, 1967.
3. Bett, H. Johannes Scotus Eriugena: A study in Medieval philosophy, Cambridge: The University press, 1925.
4. Copleston, F. A History philosophy: Medieval philosophy, Vol.2, 1993.
5. Clark, Mary. Augustine, Philosophy of Freedom. New York, Desclee, 1959.
6. Gilso, E. History of Christian philosophy in the Middle Ages, 1995.
7. Pope John paul II, Encyclical Letter Fides et Ratio, Vatican, 1998
BO-04 History of Philosophy III Modern Philosophy (3)
This course starts with an introduction to the main happenings in the western world which triggered the dawn of modern philosophy, viz., Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment. During this period there is a radical shift in the worldview of the western world, from heliocentric to geocentric, from God-centeredness to Man centeredness, from religious to secular, from social to individualistic. It focuses on: Renaissance Philosophers; Rationalism: Descartes, Malebranche, Paschal, Spinoza and Leibnitz. Empiricism: Hobbes, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Kant and the Philosophers of enlightenment; the post-Kantian idealists: Fichte, Schelling and Hegel and the post-Hegelian dialectical materialism: Marx and Engels
Dr. Libin Kozhikkottu CST
Bibliography
1. Copleston, Fredrick. A History of Philosophy, Vol. IV-VII. London: Burns and Oates, 1958-60.
2. Gottlieb, Anthony. The Dream of Enlightenment: The Rise of Modern Philosophy. Penguin UK, 2017.
3. Hamlyn, D.W. The Pelican History of Western Philosophy. London: Penguin Books, 1989.
4. O’Conner, D.J. A Critical History of Western Philosophy. New York: The Free Press, 1985.
5. Routledge History of Philosophy, Vols. IV-VI. London: Routledge, 1994.
6. Scuton, Roger. Modern Philosophy: An Introduction and Survey. Pimlico: UK Edition, 2004.
7. Ted, Honderish (ed.). The Oxford Companion to Philosophy. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005 (2nd Edition).
BO-05 History of Philosophy IV A Phenomenology and Existentialism (2)
The purpose of this course is to make students familiar with important thinkers and themes in contemporary continental philosophy, with special attention to the phenomenological tradition. We investigate the major trends such as Positivism, Pragmatism, Marxism, Critical Theory, Philosophy of Life, Philosophy of Evolution, Phenomenology, Hermeneutics, and Existentialism.
Dr. Jison Kottianickal OSH
Bibliography
1. De Beauvoir, Simone. The Second Sex. Trans. H. M. Parshley. New York: Vintage Books, 1989.
2. Derrida, Jacques. “Violence and Metaphysics: An essay on the Thought of Emmanuel Levinas.” Trans. Alan Bass. In Writing and Difference, 79-153. London and New York: The University of Chicago Press, 1978.
3. Adieu to Emmanuel Levinas. Trans. Pascale-Anne Brault and Michael Naas. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1999.
4. Descartes, René. Philosophical Writings. Trans. N. Kemp Smith. New York: Modern Library, 1958.
5. Hegel, G.W.F. Elements of the Philosophy of Right. Trans. H.B. Nisbet. ed. Allen W. Wood. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007.
6. Hegel, G.W.F. Phenomenology of Spirit. Trans. A.V. Miller. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1977. Kant, Immanuel. Critique of Pure Reason. Trans. Norman Kemp Smith. New York: Palgrave, 2007.
BO-06 History of Philosophy IV B Analytical Philosophy (2)
Analytic Philosophy (or sometimes Analytical Philosophy) is a 20th Century movement in philosophy which holds that philosophy should apply logical techniques in order to attain conceptual clarity, and that philosophy should be consistent with the success of modern science. For many Analytic Philosophers, language is the principle (perhaps only) tool, and philosophy consists in clarifying how language can be used. The three main foundational planks of Analytical Philosophy are: 1, that there are no specifically philosophical truths and that the object of philosophy is the logical clarification of thoughts. 2, that the logical clarification of thoughts can only be achieved by analysis of logical form of philosophical propositions, such as by using the formal grammar and symbolism of a logical system. 3, rejection of sweeping philosophical systems and grand theories in favour of close attention to detail, as well a defence of common sense and ordinary language against the pretensions of traditional metaphysics and ethics. Analytic Philosophy as specific movement was led by Bertrand Russell, Alfred North Whitehead, G E Moore, and Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Dr. Treejo Chakkalackal OFM Cap.
Bibliography
1. Ayer, A.J. (ed ) Russell and Moore: The Analytical Heritage, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1971.
2. Kenny, Anthony. Frege: An Introduction to the Founder of Modern Analytic Philosophy, Blackwell Publishers, 2000.
3. Baker, G.P. and Hacker, P.M.S. “Dummett’s Frege or Through a Looking-Glass Darkly,” Mind, 92, pp. 239-246, 1983.
4. Baker, G .P. and Hacker, P.M.S. Frege: Logical Excavations, Oxford: Blackwell, 1984.
5. Baker, G .P. and Hacker, P.M.S. “The Last Ditch,” Philosophical Quarterly, 39, pp. 471- 477, 1989.
6. Frege, Gottlob. 1892: “On Sense and Reference” tr. by M. Black, in Translations from the Philosophical Writings of Gottlob Frege, P. Geach and M. Black (eds.), Oxford:Blackwell, 3rd ed., 1980.
7. Dummett, Michael. Frege: Philosophy of Mathematics, London: Duckworth, 1991.
8. Monk, Ray and Palmer, Anthony (eds.). Bertrand Russell and the Origins of Analytical Philosophy, Bristol: Thoemmes Press, 1996.
BO-07 History of Philosophy IV C Critical Theory to Post-modernism (3)
Postmodernity and Its Discontents discusses the general themes of modernism that is deconstructed by postmodernism. Then it presents the phenomenon of postmodernism both by analysing some of its key thinkers such as Derrida, Foucault, Lyotard, Baudrillard, Cixous and Irigaray, and the challenges of postmodernity to fundamental current questions such as God and religion, metaphysics, ethics, feminist movements, liberation struggles etc. Major trends such as Structuralism, poststructuralism, postmodernism, Analytical Philosophy, psychoanalysis, Feminism will be the major focus of investigation.
Dr. Libin Kozhikkottu CST
Bibliography
1. Bauman, Zygmunt. Postmodernity and Its Discontents. Cambridge: Polity Press, 1997.
2. Badiou, Alana. In Praise of Love. Trans. Peter Bush. Paris: Profile Books Ltd. 2012.
3. De Beauvoir, Simone. The Second Sex. Trans. H. M. Parshley. New York: Vintage Books, 1989.
4. Derrida, Jacques. Writing and Difference. Trans. Alan Bass. London and New York: The University of Chicago Press, 1978.
5. Heidegger, Martin. Being and Time. Trans. John Macquarrie & Edward Robinson. New York, London: Harper-Perennial Modern Thought, 2008.
6. Kearney, Richard. Modern Movements in European Philosophy. Manchester, New York: Manchester University Press, 1994.
7. Lyotard, Jean-Francois. The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1991.
8. Sarup, Madan. An Introductory Guide to Post-Structuralism and Postmodernism. Essex: Pearson Education Limited, 1993.
9. Schrift, D. Alan. Ed. The History of Continental Philosophy. Vols. 8. Corydon: Acumen, 2010.
10. Nietzsche, Frederich. The Will to Power. Trans. and ed. Walter Kaufmann and R. J. Hollingdale. New York: Vintage Books, 1968.
BO-08 BO-08 Indian Studies I
Introduction to Indian Philosophy (2)
Introduction to Indian Philosophy emphasizes the diversity of Indian thought and is structured around six schools which have achieved classic status. It explicates how the traditions of Indian philosophy attempts to understand the nature of reality in terms of an inner or spiritual quest and what do the distinctively Indian concepts of karma and rebirth mean. It also explores on what do Indian thinkers have to say on issues of reality and knowledge issues which are also an important part of the Western philosophical tradition. India has a long, rich, and diverse tradition of philosophical thought, spanning some two and a half millennia and encompassing several major religious traditions.
Fr. Joy Vayalil CST
Bibliography
1. Balcerowicz, Piotr., Early Asceticism in India: Ājīvikism and Jainism, Delhi: Routledge. 2015.
2. Dasgupta, S. History of Indian Philosophy. 5 vols. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1998.
3. Hiriyanna, M. Outlines of Indian Philosophy. London: Allen and Unwin, 1932.
4. Larson G. J. Classical Samkhya. Delhi: MotilalBanarsidass, 1979.
5. Mueller, Max. The Six Systems of Indian Philosophy. New Delhi: Associated Publishing House, 1978.
6. Pande, G. C. Life and Thought of Sankaracarya. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1994.
7. Thachil, J. An Initiation to Indian Philosophy. Alwaye: Pontifical Institute of Philosophy and Theology, 2000.
8. Vireswarananda, Swami. Brahma-Sutras. Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama, 1982.
BO-09 Indian Studies II Early Hindu Thought (2)
This introductory course in Indian Philosophy gives a foretaste of the intuitve and mystical wisdom of India. This is an essential and complementary consort to the entire philosophical pursuit, which is very much dominated by the West. Having discussed the relevance of Indian philosophy in the Post-modern philosophical and cultural context, the course discusses the salient features of Indian philosophy. A methodic pattern of this course will be the exegetical study of the major philosophical texts of the Vedas, Brahmana-s, Aranyaka-s and Upanisads. An accompanying pre-occupation is the exploration of the hermeneutical nuances of the challenges posed by this study.
Dr. Augustine Pamplany CST
Bibliography
1. Bhattacharya et al. The Cultural Heritage of India, 5 vols. Calcutta: The Ramakrishna Mission, 1970.
2. Dasgupta, S. History of Indian Philosophy, 5 vols. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1998.
3. De Smet, R. et al. Religious Hinduism. Mumbai: St. Paul’s, 1996.
4. Flood, Gavin. An Introduction to Hinduism, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996.
5. Hiriyanna, M. Outlines of Indian Philosophy. London: Allen and Unwin, 1932.
6. Michaels, Axel Hinduism: Past and Present. New York: Princeton University Press, 2004
7. Radhakrishnan S. Indian Philosophy, vols. 1-2. Oxford, 2008 (2nd Edition).
8. Sharma, C. A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1964.
BO-10 Indian Studies III Classical Systems (4)
The six classical systems of Indian philosophy, viz., Nyaya, Vaiseshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta, with its diverse content and scope bear the imprints of the rarest kind of human intellectual thinking with an intuitive nuance. We deal with the various schools focusing on their central philosophical themes of metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, liberation, etc.
Dr. Paul Komban CST
Bibliography
1. Bhattacharya et al. The Cultural Heritage of India, 5 vols. Calcutta: The Ramakrishna Mission,1970.
2. Cowell, E. B.; Gough, A. E. The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha or Review of the Different Systems of Hindu Philosophy: Trubner’s Oriental Series. New Delhi: Taylor & Francis. 2001.
3. Dasgupta, S. History of Indian Philosophy, 5 vols. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1998.
4. De Smet, R. et al.Religious Hinduism. Mumbai: St. Paul’s, 1996.
5. Hiriyanna, M. Outlines of Indian Philosophy. London: Allen and Unwin, 1932.
6. Radhakrishnan S. Indian Philosophy, vols. 1-2. Oxford, 2008 (2nd Edition).
7. Sharma, C. A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy. Delhi: MotilalBanarsidass, 1964.
8. Thachil, J. An Initiation to Indian Philosophy. Alwaye: Pontifical Institute of Philosophy and Theology, 2000.
BO-11 Indian Studies IV Buddhism, Jainism, Charkavaka (2)
The heterodox Schools of Charvaka, Buddhism and Jainism and their philosophical overview is attempted. This course deals with the basic philosophical currents in the same schools with regard to the world, soul, human being, theory of knowledge, etc. The course also highlights the major philosophical tenets in the sects of Saivism and Vaishnavism.
Dr. Suprianose Alunkal OCD
Bibliography
1. Bhattacharya et al. The Cultural Heritage of India, 5 vols. Calcutta: The Ramakrishna Mission, 1970.
2. Dasgupta, S. History of Indian Philosophy, 5 vols. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1998.
3. De Smet, R. et al.Religious Hinduism. Mumbai: St. Paul’s, 1996.
4. Hiriyanna, M. Outlines of Indian Philosophy. London: Allen and Unwin, 1932.
5. Radhakrishnan S. Indian Philosophy, vols. 1-2. Oxford, 2008 (2nd Edition).
6. Sharma, C. A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1964.
7. Thachil, J. An Initiation to Indian Philosophy. Alwaye: Pontifical Institute of Philosophy and Theology, 2000.
BO-12 Indian Studies V Modern and Comporary Indian Philosophy (2)
A holistic understanding of Indian Philosophical thinking entails an appropriation of the thinking pattern of India starting with the Vedas and extending over to the contemporary times. This course makes a general survey of the evolution of religious and philosophical ideas in 19th and 20th century India. Its goal is to enable the students to interpret the religious and philosophical themes in the contemporary socio-politicoreligious context.
Fr. Joy Vayalil CST
Bibliography
1. Bishop, Donald H., ed. Thinkers of the Indian Renaissance. Delhi: New Age International, 1998.
2. ICPR Series in Contemporary Indian Philosophy, Select Volumes. Delhi: Indian Council of Philosophical Research.
3. Krishna, Daya. Development in Indian Philosophy from Eighteenth Century onwards: Classical and Western. Delhi: Centre for Studies in Civilization, 2001.
4. Lal, Basant Kumar. Contemporary Indian Philosophy, Delhi: Motilal Banarasidass, 2017 (11th Edition).
5. Raghuramaraju, A. Debates in Indian Philosophy: Classical, Colonial and Contemporary. Oxford University Press, 2007.
6. Sharma R. N. Contemporary Indian Philosophy. Delhi: Atlantic Publishers, 1991.
7. Srinivasan, V. New Age Management Philosophy from Ancient India. Lotus, 2006.
8. Tandom, Veena. Contemporary Indian Philosophy. Delhi: Rajat Publishers, 2000.
BO-13 Logic I Formal Logic (4)
Logic as the theory of good reasoning helps the students not only to reason but also to understand how reason works. This course discusses the definition and scope of Logic, relation between Logic and other sciences, and the uses of Logic. Various kinds of terms and concepts, definition and division are also studied in detail. We discuss various kinds of proposition, categorical, conditional, distribution of terms; inference: mediate and immediate; immediate inference of opposition and eduction; mediate inference: categorical syllogism, and disjunctive syllogism; Dilemma, Mill’s criticism of syllogism, and Deductive Fallacies; Induction: what is Induction, the problem of Induction, the relation between induction and deduction, scientific induction, observation and experiment, enumerative induction, analogy, statistics, Postulates of induction, cause and effect, Mill’s methods and criticism of Mill’s methods, science and Hypothesis, probability.
Fr. Tomy Alumkalkarot CST
Bibliography
1. Copi, Irving M. and Carl Cohen. Introduction to Logic. New Delhi: Prentice-Hall, 1995.
2. V. E Smith. The Elements of Logic, 1957.
3. Bittle, Celestine N. The Science of Correct Thinking. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Co., 1950.
BO-14 Logic II Symbolic Logic (2)
Notion, nature, and characteristics of symbolic logic are discussed at the outset, after treating its historical development. Various truthfuctions are introduced as the preparation for the determination of the validity of arguments through truth-table construction. Formal proof of validity is also studied with the rules of inference and replacements. Propositional logic presents various forms of statements like tautology, contradiction and contingency. This course focuses also on Predicate Logic with quantification rules. Symbolization of ordinary statements and arguments are introduced with a view to determinate of the validity of arguments in general.
Dr. John Paul Parappalliyath
Bibliography
1. Irving M. Copy, Symbolic Logic Fifth Edition. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India, 1995.
2. Irving M. Copi, Carl Cohen, Kenneth McMahon, Introduction to Logic fourteenth edition. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited, 2014.
BO-15 Metaphysics I General Metaphysics (4)
The course addresses the fundamental question of Being and reality. “What is there” and “why there is something rather than nothing?” The course investigate the perennial question of Being, and tries to answer the fundamental concepts of Essence and Existence. Metaphysical questions of Being and Becoming, and One and Many are investigated both from Aristotle, Thomistic and Neo-Thomistic metaphysical traditions.
Dr. Jojo Varakukalayil CST
Bibliography
1. Acquinas, Thomas and Jean T. Oesterle. The Collected Works of St Thomas Acquinas. The Disputed Questions on Truth: Volumes 1-3. Charlottesville, Va: Intel.ex Corporations, 1993.
2. Acquinas, Thomas. Commentary on Aristotle’s Metaphysics. Trans. John P. Rowan. Notre Dame, Indiana: Dumb Ox Books, 1995.
3. Aristotle, and C.D.C. Reeve. Metaphysics. Indianapolis, Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company, 2016.
4. Desmond, William. Being and the Between. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1995.
5. Kant, Immanuel. Critique of Pure Reason. Trans. Norman Kemp Smith. New York: Palgrave, 2007.
6. Plotinus, The Enneades. Trans. Stephan MacKenna. 4th revised edition. London: Faber and Faber Limited, 1969.
7. Heidegger, Martin. Being and Time. Trans. John Macquarrie & Edward Robinson. New York, London: Harper-Perennial Modern Thought, 2008.
8. Heidegger, Martin. An Introduction to Metaphysics. Trans. Gregory Fried and Richard Polt. New Haven & London: Yale University Press, 2000.
9. Descartes, René. Meditations of First Philosophy: With Selections from the Objections and Replies. Trans. John Cottingham. Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University Press, 1990.
10. Owens, Joseph. An Elementary Christian Metaphysics. Texas: Bruce Publishing Company, 1985.
BO-16 Metaphysics II Issues in Philosophy of Being (2)
The course focuses on the changing concepts and questions of metaphysics throughout history and on the possible meaning of metaphysics today. Referring to some key-authors (Descartes, Kant, Hegel, Heidegger, Levinas, Derrida etc.,), the course investigates the birth and growth of metaphysics and the closure of metaphysics in modernity and post-modernity.
Dr. Jojo Varakukalayil CST
Bibliography
1. Aristotle, and C.D.C. Reeve. Metaphysics. Indianapolis, Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company, 2016.
2. Acquinas, Thomas Acquinas, and Jean T. Oesterle. The Collected Works of St Thomas Acquinas. The Disputed Questions on Truth: Volumes 1-3. Charlottesville, Va: Intel.ex Corporations, 1993.
3. Ayer, A. J. Truth and Logic. London: V. Gollanez, 1951.
4. Desmond, William. Being and the Between. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1995.
5. Hume, David. An Enquiery Concerning Human Understanding. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.
6. Kant, Immanuel. Critique of Pure Reason. Trans. Norman Kemp Smith. New York: Palgrave, 2007.
7. Plotinus, The Enneades. Trans. Stephan MacKenna. 4th revised edition. London: Faber and Faber Limited, 1969.
8. Heidegger, Martin. Being and Time. Trans. John Macquarrie & Edward Robinson. New York, London: Harper-Perennial Modern Thought, 2008.
9. Descartes, René. Discourse on the Method: of Conducting One’s Reason well and of Seeking the Truth in the Science in the Bilingual Edition and an Interpretation of Rene Descartes Philosophy of Method. Trans. and ed. George Heffernan. London: University of Notre Dame Press, 1994.
10. Descartes, René.. Meditations of First Philosophy: With Selections from the Objections and Replies. Trans. John Cottingham. Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University Press, 1990.
BO-17 Philosophy of Nature I Philosophical Cosmology (4)
Philosophy of Nature is man’s philosophical reflection on material reality. Philosopy of Nature, therefore, does not deal with reality in its totality but confines itself to what is material or in some way observable. The material object of the Philosophy of Nature is the physical world or the matter itself, whereas its formal object is motion or mobility.
Dr. Augustine Pamplany CST
Bibliography
1. AG. van Melsen, The Philosophy of Nature, Louvain, 1961.
2. Brother Benignus, Nature, Knowledge, and God: An Introduction to Thomistic Philosophy, Whitefish: Kessinger Publishing, LLC, 2010.
3. Philippus Selvaggi, Cosmologia, Rome: Pontifical Gregorian University, 1959.
4. Louis Caruana S. J. Philosophy of Science and Nature.
BO-18 Philosophy of Nature II Scientific Cosmology (2)
Cosmology is in a way the first-cause of the various branches of philosophy. The riddle of the cosmos is attempted to unravel mainly through the wonderful discoveries of the modern physics. The scientific part of the course will focus on the Theory of Relativity, the Quantum mechanics, the Big Bang cosmology, the Chaos Theory, the Scientific Eschatology, etc. A Teilhardian integration is a complementary component to this philosophical approach to the cosmos. Though our concern is with the cosmos, we don’t lose sight of the fact that in the contemporary post-modern philosophical context, cosmology is in a way anthropology and theodicy as well.
Dr. Augustine Pamplany CST
Bibliography
1. Alan Guth, The Inflationary Universe (New York: Helix Books, 1997).
2. Albert Einstein, Relativity – The Special and General Theory (New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1920.
3. Bernard D’espagnat, Reality and the Physicist - Knowledge, Duration and the Quantum World (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989.
4. Edward W. Kolb, “The Big Bang Origin of the Universe,” in Clifford N. Matthews and Roy Abraham Varghese (eds.), Cosmic Beginnings and Human Ends (Chicago: Open Court, 1995).
5. Heinz R. Pagels, The Cosmic Code - Quantum Physics as the Language of Nature (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1982).
6. John D. Barrow, The Origin of the Universe (New York: Basic Books, 1994).
7. John Polkinghorne, Science and Creation: The Search for Understanding (London: SPCK Publishers, 1989).
8. Nick Herbert, Quantum Reality - Beyond the New Physics (New York: Anchor Books, 1987).
9. Stephen W. Hawking, A Brief History of Time (New York: Bantam Books, 1988.
10. Werner Heisenberg, The Physicists Conception of Nature (London: The Scientific Book Guild, 1962.
BO-19 Philosophy of God I Natural Theology (4)
Starting with various explanatory definitions of the philosophical treaty on God, we move on to a discussion of the historical development of this branch of philosophical study. As part of the method of study we will adopt a phenomenological approach, examining various religious experiences and the findings from the study of religious language. Then we shall critically evaluate the diverse approaches to the question 64 Handbook & Calendar 2022-23 of proving God’s existence: ontological and meta-logical arguments, intuitions, revelation, tradition etc. Finally, through the study of God’s universal causality – creation, conservation, and transcendental cooperation – we shall deal with the problem of evil and conclude to the providence of God, which is nothing other than the universal, creative, and preservative presence of God. I also look at the contemporary trends in theodicy and look at the possibility of the ‘post secular return of religion’ which is an ‘historical project’ and ‘a salvific action of God’. Moving on, can ‘God’ return from ‘the death of God’ in the ‘post-secular age’ where the role of secularism is unstable? What follows ‘after the death of God’ is ‘post-Christian’ rather than ‘anti-Christian. It would seem that secularisation becomes the norm of all theological discourse and ‘return of religion’. Consequently, the foundation of the post-secular return of religion is the ‘death of God’.
Dr. Rogi Narithookkil CST
Bibliography
1. Jacques Martin, Approaches to God, New York, 1954.
2. Ralph Mclnemy, Praeambula fidei: Thomism and the God of the Philosophers, Washington DC, The Catholic University of America Press, 2006.
3. Alvin Plantinga / Michael Tooley. Knowledge of God, Oxford: Blackwell, 2008.
4. John F. Wippel, The Metaphysical Thought of Thomas Aquinas: From Finite Being Uncreated Being. Washington DC: The Catholic University of America Press, 2000.
5. Thomas Joseph White, Wisdom in the Face of Modernity, A Study in the Thomistic Natural Theology.
6. Rogi Thomas, The Hermeneutical Future of Religion. Dundee, 2019
BO 20 Philosophy of God II Philosophy of Religion (2)
It has always been a passion for man to seek the providence behind the fragile fabric of relationship and to strive for the unseen power that synchronizes this majestic world order. the concerted effort to search for the transcendent being outside is in fact a projected yearning to rehumanize himself/herself to his/her perfectly awakened state. Students will be challenged to investigate into how religion can become a source of human experience together with religious. Religion and its ritualistic practices are critiqued to analyze whether these become themes for genuine philosophical investigation. This course finally aims at empowering the philosophy students to approach their faith from a philosophical and critical point of view.
Dr. Rogi Narithookkil CST
Bibliography
1. Robert, N. Bellah. Religion in Human Evolution. Cambridge, 2011.
2. Mircea, Eliade. The Sacred and the Profane. New York, 1961.
3. Jurgen, Habermas and Joseph, Ratzinger. The Dialectics of Secularisation. San Francisco, 2007.
4. William, James. The Varieties of Religious Experience. Cambridge, 1902.
5. Rogi, Thomas. The Hermeneutical Future of Religion. Dundee, 2019.
6. Eric, W. Rothenbuhler. Ritual Communication. CA, 1998.
BO-21 Philosophy of Knowledge I Epistemology (4)
Epistemology is one of the main branches of systematic philosophy. It is concerned with the nature, sources, and limits of valid and true knowledge. The subject matter of epistemology is knowledge itself. A detailed analysis of the concept ‘knowledge’ will help the students to determine its nature and scope. The term ‘knowledge’ has a number of connotations, but here in philosophy we are concerned with propositional knowledge, that is, knowledge that such-andsuch is true. It begins with some of the basic questions like, ‘what is knowledge,’ ‘what are the sources of knowledge?’ ‘what is the certainty of the knowledge that one has?, etc. All these questions were taken up for discussion from the ancient times to the post modern time and a number of approaches and views have been put forward. It forms one of the bases of many other disciplines because all other disciplines have something to do with cognition and even the modern computer which uses artificial intelligence in some way resembles the human’s capacity to use knowledge. So this field of philosophy is an area of frequent discussion even to this day and many thinkers contribute to its growth.
Dr. Saji Nellikunnel CST
Bibliography
1. Audi, Robert. Epistemology: A Contemporary introduction to the theory of knowledge. Routledge publication, London, 1998.
2. Ayar, A.J, The Problem of Knowledge. Penguin, New York, 1984.
3. Bernecker, Sven and Duncan, Pritchard. ed., The Routledge Companion to Epistemology. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 2010.
4. Bhat, Govardhan P. The basic Ways of knowing. N. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas, 1989.
5. Blaauw, Martijn. Eipistemology A-Z. Edinburgh, 2005.
6. Everit, Nicholas. Modern Epistemology: A new introduction. McGrow–Hill, Delhi, 1995.
7. Hamlyn, D. W. Theory of Knowledge, Macmillan,1971.
8. Jonathan, Dancy, An introduction to contemporary epistemology. Basil Black well, New York, 1985.
9. Karuvelil, George. Epistemology. 1997.
10. Marcier, Jean L. Epistemology and the problem of truth. Asian trading, Bangalore, 2000
BO-22 Philosophy of Knowledge II Philosophy of Language (2)
Human history in particular has a rich legacy of meaning laden symbols, which wishes to communicate the future generation the sensibility of its experiments with meaningfulness or meaninglessness. This course envisages exploring the various philosophers of language and their theories on communication and understanding.
Dr. Tigi Thanniyil CST
Bibliography
1. Kripke, S. Naming and Necessity. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1980.
2. Pinker, Steven. The Language Instinct. New York: William Morrow, 1994.
3. P. Geach and M. Black (eds. and trans.). Translations from the Philosophical Writings of Gottlob Frege, Oxford: Blackwell, 1980.
4. Bertrand Russell. The Problems of Philosophy.[197] London: Williams and Norgate, 1912
BO-23 Philosophy of Knowledge III Hermeneutics (2)
Man’s quest for meaning is as old as humanity. Human history in particular has a rich legacy of meaning laden symbols, which wishes to communicate the future generation the sensibility of its experiments with meaningfulness or meaninglessness. This course envisages exploring the various theories of interpretation and therein expanding the arena of our understanding.
Dr. Saji Nellikunnel CST
Bibliography
1. Bleicher, Josef. Contemporary Hermeneutics: Hermeneutics as Method, Philosophy and Critique. London: Routledge, 1993.
2. Grondin, Jean. Introduction to Philosophical Hermeneutics. Yale University Press, 1994.
3. Ihde, Don. Hermeneutic Phenomenology: The Philosophy of Paul Ricoeur. New York: North Western University Press, 1971.
4. Mueller–Vollmer, Kurt (ed.). The Hermeneutic Reader: Texts of the German Tradition from the Enlightenment to the Present. New York: Continuum, 2000.
5. Palmer, Richard E. Hermeneutics: Interpretation Theory in Schleiermacher, Dilthey, Heidegger, and Gadamer. Evanston: Northwestern University Press, 1969.
6. Porter, E. Stanley. Hermeneutics: An Introduction to Interpretative Theory. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2012.
7. Zimmermann, Jens. Hermeneutics: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2016.
BO-25 Moral Philosophy I Ethics (4)
Through reflection on our moral experiences in the present context, we elucidate the moral good, the values, ideals, and principles and inquire into their ultimate foundation with a view to apply them to the present day human, global and ecological problems. We also attempt to have an overview of ethical philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Kant, Hume, Kierkegaard, Marx, Levinas, and so on.
We begin this course by defining Ethics “as a philosophical science of human conduct in so far as human conduct is viewed as good or bad, right or wrong.” This course aims at imparting certain concepts, principles, theories and guidelines of morality. The fundamental dictum of Ethics is “The good is to be done and the evil is to be avoided.” Ethics is both a normative and a philosophical science; and is also speculative and practical. This course is developed on the basis of certain postulates: Epistemological, Theodocian and Psychological. We distinguish between human act and acts of man. Human act is necessarily connected with intellect and will. A human act involves knowledge and free consent (voluntariness). Psychological structure of human act: wish (liking), desire, intension, consent, choice, practical execution and delight or satisfaction. Human acts are divided into two: elicited act and commanded acts. The concept of imputability and the principle of double effects which has a few conditions. Impediments to human act: ignorance, fear, concupiscence or passion, infancy, idiocy, moronism, propensities, habits, mental disorders etc.
Fr. Tomy Alumkalkarot CST
Bibliography
1. Dreier, J. Contemporary Debates in Moral Theory, Blackwell, 2006.
2. Finnis, J. The Fundamentals of Ethics, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1983.
3. Kant, I. Critique of Practical Reasons and Other Writings in Moral Philosophy, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1940.
4. Lillie, William. An Introduction to Ethics, Delhi: Allied Publishers Ltd., 1997.
5. Mackenzie, J. S. A Manual of Ethics, Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1980.
6. Mackie, J.C. Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong, 1977. Mothersill., Ethics, New York: The Macmillian Co., 1965.
7. Sharma, R.N. Introduction to Ethics, Delhi: Surjeet Publications, 1993.
8. Bergson, Henri Louis. The Two Sources of Morality and Religion. New York: H. Holt, 1935.
BO-26 Moral Philosophy II Applied Ethics (2)
Applied Ethics is the climax of ethical Studies. It is concerned with the practical application of the general principles and rules of Ethics to certain concrete situations of human life. This course aims at introducing students to some important moral and ethical issues of the society like biotechnology, euthanasia, abortion, surrogate motherhood, medical ethics, business ethics, genetic engineering etc. In dealing with these issues we strictly follow the teaching of the catholic church.
This Course is a branch of ethics that deals with practical ethical issues in human life. Most of the areas that are debated in applied ethics have got their significance as the course of time is on. In this branch of ethics, we are not dealing with some kind of norms or conditions in ethical situations. Rather applied ethics is interested in ethical dilemmas that are confronted in day to day situations of human life. It means that applied ethics is closely attached to practical human situations. Applied ethics makes use of reasoning as the methodology for its academic pursuit. But this reasoning is described as practical reasoning by the eminent moral philosophers like Peter Singer, Mac Intyre, etc...
Fr. Tomy Alumkalkarot CST
Bibliography
1. Christians, Clifford G, Fackler, Mark and Rotzoll, Kim B Media Ethics: Cases and Moral Reasoning, USA: Longman Publishers, 1995.
2. DeMarco, Joseph P. and Fox, Richard M. (ed.), New Directions in Ethics, New York; London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1986.
3. Haring, Bernard. Medical Ethics, England: St. Paul Publications, 1977.
4. Lafollette, Hugh, (ed.), Ethics in Practice, Uk: Blackwell Publishing Ltd., 2002.
5. Singer, Peter. Practical Ethics, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993.
6. Bittle, Celestine N OFM cap. Man and Morals Ethics. USA: The Bruce Publishing Company Milwaukee, 1950.
BO-19 Moral Philosophy III Cyber Ethics
Human societies have wrestled with ethics and the role of individuals in society from time immemorial. Ethical issues in technology and especially computer-like smart devices and internet-related events of cyber crimes are at the forefront of discussion in any media today. This course on cyber ethics is intended to give students a chance to critically and philosophically reflect on the humanitarian, social, and professional impact of computer technology by focusing on ethical issues faced by the present generation. It is designed to enable students to concentrate on the challenges that rapid changes in technology have created including Little Flower Institute of Philosophy & Religion, Aluva 69 those related to networking and the internet such as intellectual property, privacy, anonymity in cyberspace, freedom of information, security, reliability, digital divide, pornography, and moral responsibility, and thus provides a framework for making ethical decisions that our youth are likely to encounter. The course will feature current research, theoretical frameworks, and case studies that will highlight the ethical and legal practices used in computing and smartphone technologies, and provide insight on ethical and legal discussions of real-world applications. The content will facilitate students to grow and develop morally and professionally through readings, class participation, and course activities.
Dr. Jijo James Indiparambil CST
Bibliography
1. Stückelberger, Christoph and Duggal, Pavan. Cyber Ethics 4.0 Serving Humanity with Values. Geneva: Globethics.net. 2018.
2. Bose, Utpal. “An Ethical Framework in Information Systems Decision Making Using Normative Theories of Business Ethics.” Ethics and Information Technology 14 (1): 17- 26, 2012.
3. Spinello, Richard. Cyberethics: Morality and Law in Cyberspace. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2011.
4. Baird, Robert M., Ramsower, Reagan, Rosenbaum, Stuart E. Cyberethics, Social & Moral Issues in the Computer Age. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 2000.
5. Smith, Robert Ellis. Ben Franklin’s Web Site: Privacy and Curiosity from Plymouth Rock to the Internet. Providence, RI: Sheridan Books, 2000.
6. Stamatellos, Giannis. Computer Ethics: A Global Perspective. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett, 2007
7. Oravec, Jo Ann. “Every Picture Tells a Story: Digital Video and Photography Issues in Business Ethics Classrooms.” Teaching Business Ethics 3 (3): 269-282, 1999.
BO-27 Political Philosophy (2)
The principal object of the course on ‘The Question of Justice in Contemporary Political Philosophy’ aims to examine, from the perspective of normative philosophy, the diverse conception of justice, as an alternative to utilitarian ethics, proposed by John Rawls, Ronald Dworkin, Amartya Sen, Martha Nussbaum, and other contemporary political philosophers. Along with these theories, the theory of gift exchange and its importance to contemporary society will also be discussed.
Dr. Arul Raj Madalai Muthu OFM Cap.
Bibliography
1. Rawls, John. A Theory of Justice. Revised Edition. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1999.
2. Rawls, John. Justice as Fairness: A Restatement. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2001.
3. Dworkin, Ronald. Sovereign Virtue: The Theory and Practice of Equality. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2002.
4. Sen, Amartya. The Idea of Justice. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2009.
5. Nussbaum, Martha C. Frontiers of Justice: Disability, Nationality, Species Membership.
Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2006. 6. Kymlicka, Will. Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Introduction. Second Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002.
7. Mauss, Marcel. The Gift: The Form and Reason for Exchange in Archaic Societies. Trans. W.D. Halls. London: Routledge, 1990.
BO-28 Anthropology I Philosophical Anthropology (4)
The course attempts a metaphysical elucidation of the self-transcendence of the human person (which implies the personal substantiality of the soul which is destined to be immortal) from the phenomenological perspectives of life, knowledge, freedom, language, culture, and work. Life is both a phenomenon and a reality that has its beginning and culmination in the Ultimate and its ‘infinite’ expressions in the Universe. The ability for freedom is among the most basic attributes, which accounts for the linguistic and cultural expressions of man’s activity. Thus he expresses his transcendence as a spiritual substance, namely the soul, which subsists in the body, which is its possibility and limitation, on which his personality and uniqueness depend. Man is an unfinished project and possibility projected to the fullness. Life in fullness is a beatifying life which could be nothing other than being addressed by the Absolute.
Dr. Tigi Thanniyil CST
Bibliography
1. Donceel, J.F. Philosophical Anthropology, 1967.
2. Summer, Claude. Philosophy of Man, Vols. 1-3, 1989.
3. Kelly, L William & Andrew, Tallon. Reading in the Philosophy of Man, 1967.
BO-29 Anthropology II Philosophy of Mind (2)
The course begins with analyzing the ontological problem in dualistic and materialistic interpretation of human conscious intelligence or mental propterties; semantic issues like behaviorism, theoretical network thesis, folk psychology, intentionality, and propositional attitudes; epistemological dilemmas like the problem of other minds and self-consciousness; methodological problems such as idealism and phenomenology, methodological behaviorism and materialism. Finally, the course ends with a discussion on the problematics of artificial intelligence and life after death.
Dr. Libin Kozhikkottu CST
Bibliography
1. Adams, William Y. The Philosophical Roots of Anthropology. Stanford, CA: CSLI Publications, 1998.
2. Churchland, Paul. Matter and Consciouness. Cambridge: Bradford Book, 1988.
3. Kim, Jaegwon. Philosophy of Mind. Cambridge: Westview Press, 2006.
4. Kaku, Michio. The Future of the Mind. Penguin Books, 2014.
5. Donceel, J.F. Philosophical Anthropology. New York: Sheed and Ward, 1967.
6. Kowalczyk, Stanislaw. An Outline of Philosophical Anthropology. Frankfurt: Peter Lang, 1991.
BO-30 Anthropology III Phenomenology of Human Existence (2)
The course addresses human existnece from a pheneomenological perspective where temporality and materiality are taken beyond the pheneomenological perspectives. We read into Heidegger, Levinas, Nancy, and Kristeva with an optics beyond the traditional frame work.
Dr. Tigi Thanniyil CST
Bibliography
1. Beauvoir, De Simone.The Second Sex. Trans. H. M. Pashley. New York: Knopf, 1952.
2. Gabriel Marcel, Being and Having. New York: Harper & Row, 1949.
3. Kierkegaard, Søren. The Sickness Unto Death: A Christian Psychological Exposition for Up Building and Awakening. Trans. A. Hannay. New York: Penguin Books, 1989.
4. Kierkegaard, Søren. Fear and Trembling. Trans. A. Hannay. New York: Penguin Books, 1985.
5. Sartre, Jean-Paul. No Exit and Three Other Plays. Trans. S. Gilbert. New York: Vintage International, 1989.
6. Heidegger, Martin. Being and Time. Trans. L. Macquarrie and E. Robbinson. New York: Harper and Row, 1962.
7. Janicaud, Dominique. On Human Condition. London & New York: Rotledge, 2005.
8. Levinas, Emmanuel. Totality and Infinity: An Essay on Exteriority. Trans. Alphonso Lingis. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Duquesne University Press, 2007.
9. Sokolowski, Robert. Phenomenology of Human Existence. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008.
10. Merleau-Ponty, Maurice. Phenomenology of Perception. Trans. Donald A. Landes. London, New York: Routledge, 2012.
11. Merleau-Ponty, Maurice. The Visible and the Invisible. Trans. Alphonso Lingis. Evanson: Northwestern University Press, 1968.
12. Nancy, Jean Luc. Corpus. Trans. Richard A. Rand. New York: Fordham University Press, 2008.
BO-31 Philosophy Seminar (Classical Philosophical Texts) (3)
I. Reading Nicomachean Ethics
Nicomachean Ethics is one of the classic works of Aristotle. It is considered as the ‘Magna Moralia’ dealing with the ethical principles encompassing every dimensions of human action. The major part of this work is devoted to analyse the proposition that happiness is the good at which all human actions aim. In this book Aristotle explicitly emphasized that ethics is part of the larger science of politics. Moral action is possible only in human society. Human actions are considered as virtuous or not when they are performed in relations to his/her fellow beings.
Bibliography
1. Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics. Translated by Martin Ostwald, Indianapolis-New York: The Bobbs Merrill Company.Inc. 1962.
2. Burnet, John, The Ethics of Aristotle. London: Methuen & co, 1900.
3. Crisp, Roger ed., Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2014.
4. Miller, Jon ed., The Reception of Aristotle’s Ethics. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2013.
5. Thomson, J A K. The Ethics of Aristotle: The Nicomachean Ethics. Great Britain: Penguin Books,1976
II. Reading Emmanuel Levinas’s Totality and Infinity – An Essay on Exteriority.
Emmanuel Levinas, Totality and Infinity – An Essay on Exteriority, Trans. Alphonso Lingis (Pittsburgh: Duquesne University Press, 2007). Reading Totality and Infinity is an attempt to read Levinas’ magnum opus which paved way for the later Derrida in terms of a staunch critique placed squarely against Levinas’ claim in his “Violence and Metaphysics” and brought forth a post-deconstructive subjectivity. We read into Levinas’s texts and try to see the resuscitation of the meaning of subjectivity over against the death of the subject in postmodernism. This work is analyzed from the very argument that it presents i.e., the essay on exteriority that stands for the defense of subjectivity. The structure of the work is studied from the internal arguments that stand for the thesis of Levinas’ ethical metaphysics.
Bibliography
1. Emmanuel Levinas, Totality and Infinity – An Essay on Exteriority, Trans. Alphonso Lingis (Pittsburgh: Duquesne University Press, 2007).
2. _______. Alterity and Transcendence. Trans. Michael B. Smith. London: The Athlone Press, 1999.
3. _______. Discovering Existence with Husserl. Trans. Richard A. Cohen and Michael B. Smith. Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern University Press, 2000.
4. _______. Ethics and Infinity: Conversations with Philippe Nemo. Trans. Richard A. Cohen. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Duquesne University Press, 1999.
5. _______. Existence and Existents. Trans. Alphonso Lingis. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Duquesne University Press, 2001.
6. Derrida, Jacques. “Violence and Metaphysics: An essay on the Thought of Emmanuel Levinas.” Trans. Alan Bass. In Writing and Difference, 79-153. London and New York: The University of Chicago Press, 1978.
7. _______. Adieu to Emmanuel Levinas. Trans. Pascale-Anne Brault and Michael Naas. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1999.
8. Descartes, René. Discourse on the Method: of Conducting One’s Reason well and of Seeking the Truth in the Science in the Bilingual Edition and an Interpretation of Rene Descartes Philosophy of Method. Trans. and ed. George Heffernan. London: University of Notre Dame Press, 1994.
9. Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan. Cambridge Texts in the History of Political thought. Ed. Richard Tuck. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002.
10. Husserl, Edmund. Logical Investigations – From the Second German Edition of Logische Untersuchungen. Trans. J.N. Findlay. ed. Dermot Moran. London, New York: Routledge, 2001.
III. Reading Plato’s Republic
The course aims to read Plato’s monumnetal work Republic. Students are engaged to discuss and present various themes analysed in the expostion. They write a formal paper under the supervision of the insturctor and presnt it as a seminar.
Bibliography
1. Cooper, M. John. Ed. Plato - Complete Works. Indianapolis, Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company, 1997.
2. Plato, The Republic of Plato. Trans. Francis MacDonald Cornford. New York, London: Oxford University Press, 1967.
3. Pappas, Nickolas. Plato and the Republic. London: Routledge, 2000.
4. Karut, Richard. Plato: The Cambridge Companion. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1996.
5. Blackburn, Simon. Plato’s Republic – A Biography. London: Atlantic Books, 2006.
Dr. Saji Nellikunnel CST
BO-32 Contextual Philosophy Project (8)
Philosophy has always claimed to be universal; however such a pristine view of philosophy is held by individual thinkers of a particular period and context. The cultural, religious, linguistic differences that color the vision of each philosopher is further studied by students of philosophy. Contextual philosophy project envisions to appropriate a method of doing philosophy through such an optics. This project is launched with a view to familiarize students with the culture, beliefsystems, mythos and traditions of the mission areas of their future apostolate. An introduction to the religious and philosophical traditions ofthe missions like Sikhism, African Philosophy, Nepalese Folk Literature, Dalit Theology, etc. are offered.
The Institute, in this regard, arranges one month program in connection with this project of doing philosophy. Students travel to North-Indian mission as a group along with two staff members of the Institute and they stay at Jyoti Missiological Center at Hanumangargh, Rajasthan for about two weeks where they actively engage in discussions and debates on topics such as Philosophy of Liberation, Religious Pluralism, and Subaltern Studies. Later they are exposed to the village life of the common folk in the areas of Punjab-Rajasthan to situate themselves to concreteness of human condition. Towards the close of this program they visit New Delhi, the historic-cultural capital of India. We hope that this endeavor would definitely reward them with a better world view and aim in life by doing philosophy.
Faculty
Courses Offered:
1. Philosophy of Liberation (3)
2. Tribal Thought (3)
3. Religious Pluralism (3)
BO-33 Philosophical Colloquium (4) (Socail Survey & Data Analysis)
Students should obtain four credits from the program of philosophical colloquium on selected themes. This is a program organized by the second year students. Its objective is to enrich and assess the philosophical skills of the students. This provides a forum for students to apply their skills of logical, critical, and creative reflection to the in-depth analysis and appraisal of a select theme or problems relevant to life and society.
Fr. Joy Vayalil CST and Fr. Joys Peedikayil CST
BO-34 Philosophical Research Project / Dissertation (8)
All students will secure eight credits by writing a dissertation under a guide on select philosophical themes of their choice in the down-to-earth social realities of their experience. They will begin working on the final dissertation in the month of January of the second year. A copy of the schema approved and duly signed by the Guide should be submitted to the Dean of studies on or before the date indicated in the calendar. The length of the dissertation will be 10,000 to 12,000 words. The rules of scientific writing should be strictly followed and the paper should show the nature of serious philosophical research. Excessive methodological errors or plagiarism will disqualify the paper. There will be a public defense of the paper lasting for 20 minutes.
Faculty
BO-35 Comprehensive Examination - Written (8)
After completing all the requirements the students are requested to appear for comprehensive written examination. Students need to respond to the question comprehensively and holistically.
Faculty
BO-36 Comprehensive Examination - Viva (8)
After having completed all the requirements of the course students are expected to attend comprehensive exams which covers all the obligatory and subsidiary subjects offered during the three years.
Faculty