Introduction to Philosophy I
Description
An 8-Week Online Course
This course offers a systematic and reflective introduction to philosophy by examining its meaning, scope, methods, and enduring questions. Rather than beginning with isolated thinkers or doctrines, the course approaches philosophy from within its own conceptual foundations: what philosophy is, how it defines itself, and why it matters.
Students will explore the origin and uses of the term “philosophy,” the challenges involved in defining it, and the debates surrounding its subject matter. Central attention is given to philosophy’s fundamental questions, its relationship to the sciences, and its engagement with concepts such as existence, unity and multiplicity, reason, and method.
Key metaphysical distinctions, including absolute existence and existence as such, are introduced in a clear and structured manner appropriate for beginners. The course also examines philosophical reasoning, including deductive and inductive methods, the limits of rational inquiry, and the characteristics that distinguish philosophical thought from other modes of knowing.
Broader perspectives are developed through the study of philosophical schools and traditions, the classification of the sciences, and the historical divisions of philosophy. Finally, students will reflect on the value and purpose of philosophical inquiry, its relationship to wisdom, religion, and science, and its role in shaping intellectual life.
By the end of the course, students will have acquired a coherent framework for understanding philosophy as a discipline, along with the conceptual tools needed for further study in philosophy and related fields.
Intro to Philosophy I (8 Weeks)
Foundations: Meaning, Subject, and Being
Week 1 — What Is Philosophy?
Topics: Introduction, the origin and meaning of the term “philosophy”, the emergence of philosophy as a discipline, why philosophy matters
Week 2 — Defining Philosophy
Topics: Usages of the word “philosophy”, classical definitions, the problem of defining philosophy, philosophy’s self-understanding
Week 3 — The Subject of Philosophy
Topics: What philosophy studies, first principles, universals, the problem of subject matter, philosophy and the sciences
Week 4 — The Issues and Structure of Philosophy
Topics: Philosophical questions, the issues of philosophy, the principles of the sciences and their relation to subjects and problems, philosophy as foundational inquiry
Week 5 — Absolute Being and Being as Such
Topics: Absolute being and being in the absolute sense, key metaphysical distinctions, conceptual clarity and terminology
Week 6 — Unity and Multiplicity of Being
Topics: The One and the many, unity and multiplicity, being and its synonyms, ontological and conceptual distinctions
Week 7 — The Aim and Source of Philosophy
Topics: The aim of philosophy, the source and origin of philosophical inquiry, wonder and necessity, the purpose of philosophical investigation
Week 8 — Method, Reason, and Its Limits
Topics: The method of philosophical inquiry, the rational and empirical methods, deduction and induction, the limits of reason
Texts
Akram Almajid, Philosophical Investigations: Defining Philosophy (al-taʿrīf bi-l-falsafa), Sage Press, 2026, (forthcoming)
Primary course text. All readings and discussions are structured around this work.
Prerequisites
No prior background in philosophy, religious studies, or technical terminology is required. The course is designed for beginners who seek clarity and depth, while maintaining conceptual rigor and intellectual discipline throughout.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Articulate what philosophy is and explain the challenges involved in defining it
Identify the subject matter, methods, and fundamental questions of philosophy
Distinguish philosophical inquiry from scientific, theological, and empirical modes of knowing
Understand key metaphysical concepts, including existence, unity and multiplicity, and their philosophical significance
Recognize the major divisions of philosophy and their place within the broader classification of the sciences
Evaluate the value and purpose of philosophical inquiry in relation to wisdom, religion, and intellectual formation
Readings
Assigned readings are drawn primarily from the course text and are selected to support careful understanding rather than technical specialization. Readings are to be completed prior to each session and serve as the conceptual foundation for lecture and discussion.
Class Structure
Each class meets for ninety minutes, with approximately fifty minutes devoted to structured lecture and forty minutes to discussion and questions. Lectures are designed to build progressively, ensuring continuity and conceptual grounding across the eight-week course.
Q&A Protocol
Students may submit questions during class via Zoom’s chat function or “raise hand” feature. Questions may be addressed during the lecture when appropriate or reserved for the discussion portion of the session.
Follow-Up
Students are welcome to contact the instructor outside of class for clarification, further discussion, or guidance on related readings and study pathways.
Course Details
Instructor
Professor Mukhtar Ali
Dates
April 6 - May 25 (8 Weeks)
Once a week, every Monday
Time
12pm - 1:30 pm EST
Location
ZOOM
Tuition
$225
How to Register
To enroll, click the Register button below and complete the online checkout process. Once registration is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email with access details and course information.
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