Introduction to Critical Thinking [2492]

General Information

• Credits: 6 ECTS
• Prerequisites: baccalaureate level or equivalent; proficiency in French
• Learning format: asynchronous distance learning – 100% e-learning
• Language of instruction: French
• Course access: available at any time of year
• Disability liaison officer: Cécile Boucherle

Course Overview

This course provides an introduction to critical thinking through the study of epistemology, or the philosophy of knowledge. It examines the nature, validity, and limits of human knowledge by exploring fundamental concepts such as truth, certainty, judgement, evidence, and the relationship between the knowing subject and reality. The course also presents and critically evaluates the principal epistemological doctrines—including skepticism, relativism, idealism, rationalism, empiricism, nominalism, conceptualism, and existentialism—highlighting their arguments, historical development, and implications for philosophical inquiry.

Learning Outcomes

This course enables you to:

• Discover the principal concepts of epistemology, including knowledge, truth, certainty, judgement, and the critical problem of knowledge.
• Distinguish the different states of the mind with respect to truth and evaluate the various forms of certitude.
• Understand the major epistemological doctrines—such as skepticism, relativism, idealism, rationalism, and empiricism—and assess their principal arguments and criticisms.
• Understand the objective value of human knowledge and its relation to reality through the methods and principles of critical philosophical inquiry.

Course Competencies

This course is linked to the following competency:

• Analyse a philosophical question by drawing on the methods of argumentation and critical thinking. 

Course Outline

Section 1: Introduction

Section 2: The Critical Problem

Section 3: States of the Mind Relative to the Truth of Any Proposition

Section 4: The Intellect and Truth

Section 5: Doctrines Related to Truth and Certainty

Section 6: Relativism

Section 7: Idealism

Section 8: Rationalism, Empiricism & Existentialism

Section 9: The Modern Epistemological Problem

Section 10: The Neo-Scholastic Problem

Section 11: The Doctrine of Realism

Section 12: The First Principles of Knowledge or Self-Evident Propositions

Section 13: The Existence of Ourselves or the Individual Thinking Subject

Section 14: The Existence of the Extra-Mental Corporeal World

Section 15: The Intellect and the Senses: Their Relationship

Section 16: Truth and Error

Section 17: The Ultimate Criterion of Truth

Assessment Methods 

Course assessment is based on:

• tracking and completion of the course and of all learning activities. These activities, designed as essential practice and learning exercises, may be completed multiple times and are not factored into the final grade,
  
• the final assessment quiz, which constitutes the graded evaluation.

Learning Format

The course is taught entirely online via the MyDomuni platform, accessible 24/7.
Learning resources include:

• written course materials;
• supplementary documents and, depending on the content, video resources;
• interactive learning activities (quizzes, exercises);
• a discussion forum with the course instructor and fellow participants.

Prerequisites

This course is open to anyone with a general level of education equivalent to the baccalaureate, or with personal or academic experience related to the topics covered.

A good command of written French is recommended to facilitate understanding of the content and participation in the activities offered.

Accessibility

The course is accessible at any time, from any internet-connected device, via the MyDomuni platform.
For students with disabilities, specific support can be arranged upon request to ensure equitable access to course content and activities.

Disability liaison officer: cecile.boucherle@domuni.eu.

Selective Bibliography

• W. Norris Clarke, S.J., The One and the Many: A Contemporary Thomistic Metaphysics, Notre Dame, IN, University of Notre Dame Press, 2001.
• Kenneth T. Gallagher, The Philosophy of Knowledge, New York, Fordham University Press, 1982.
• Joseph D. Hassett, Robert A. Mitchell et Donald J. Monan, Epistemology for All, Cork, Mercier Press, 1953.
• Reginald F. O’Neill, S.J., Theories of Knowledge, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Prentice-Hall, 1960.
• Reginald P. Phillips, Modern Thomistic Philosophy, 2 vols., London, Burns Oates & Washbourne, 1934.