Philosophical Anthropology [2484]

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

The former (anthrōpos) refers to ‘man’ in the generic sense, that is to say, it means ‘human being’; the latter (logos) signifies ‘discourse’ or ‘science. Philosophical anthropology is thus concerned with a philosophical account of the mystery of the human being. Naturally, the history of philosophy has produced a wealth of approaches and an abundance of profound insights concerning the human being. It has also given rise to numerous errors in this regard. This course will engage the question of how we are to construe the relationship that obtains between body and soul/mind. Rather than adopting a purely historical approach, beginning with Aristotle, the text begins with an exposition of three different contemporary treatments of this issue before proceeding to expound important aspects of Aristotle’s and St. Thomas Aquinas’s metaphysics of human nature.

Learning Outcomes

This course enables you to:

• Explain the hylomorphic conception of the human being developed by Aristotle and Aquina.
• Analyse the arguments for the immortality and self-subsistence of the rational soul.
• Apply the unity of body and soul to a contemporary ethical question
• Acquire experience and confidence in reading, comprehension and text analysis.

Course Competencies

This course is linked to the following competency:

• Investigate the nature of being and of the human person through metaphysics and philosophical anthropology.

Course Outline

Section 1: Three conteomporary approaches to the relationship between Soul, Mind, and Body
Section 2: Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas on the Metaphysics of Human Nature
Section 3: What kind of being is the human embryo?What kind of being is the human embryo?

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

• Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, trans. Fathers of the English Dominican Province, vol. 1, Allen, TX, Christian Classics, 1981. Online edition: http://dhspriory.org/thomas/summa/FP.html.
• Aristotle, De Anima, trans. J. A. Smith, in Jonathan Barnes (ed.), The Complete Works of Aristotle, Princeton, NJ, Princeton University Press, 1984.
• Frederick Copleston, A History of Philosophy. Vol. II: Medieval Philosophy, London, Continuum, 2003, p. 375-387 (chap. XXXVII, « St. Thomas Aquinas—VII: Psychology »).
• Stephen L. Brock, « The Physical Status of the Spiritual Soul in Thomas Aquinas », Nova et Vetera, vol. 3, 2005, p. 231-258.
• Kevin E. O’Reilly, O.P., « Church as the Defender of Conscience in Our Age », Nova et Vetera, vol. 12, 2014, p. 193-215.