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SYLLABUS
Philosophy 2 HL IB
Dr. VanderWilt
2010-2011
G113
7:00 a.m.-7:30 a.m. Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs vanderwiltj@smhs.org
949-766-6000 ext 4091
Philosophy 2 emphasizes one major theme within the study of philosophy: the philosophy of religion. In addition, the Philosophy 2 course provides proximate preparation for the IB examination in
Philosophy with strong secondary emphases on the human condition, ethics and ethical decision-making, and systematic study of one additional IB approved core texts: René Descartes’ Meditations on First
Philosophy.
Philosophy 2 introduces students to the philosophy of religion, one of the
“optional themes” offered in the IB philosophy curriculum. Philosophy 2 supports the teaching mission of the Catholic Church in its emphasis on the relationship between philosophy and theology, between reason and faith, and on the philosophical study of Christian and non-Christian world views. Central questions are the nature and existence of God, the relation between faith and reason, the problem of suffering, the roles of religion in human societies, and religious foundations for ethics. Like Philosophy 1
HL IB, Philosophy 2 extends the students’ reasoning skills in service to the world and for the benefit of our common life with others.
Santa Margarita students will become: 1. People of faith, 2. Skilled lifelong learners, 3. Healthy individuals, and 4. Involved citizens rooted in the communal dimension of human life.
Philosophy 2 has three major objectives:
A. To develop critical thinking skills in the context of philosophical inquiry and dialogue (ESLR #2 and 4)
B. To practice philosophical inquiry and dialogue in modalities and with attitudes consistent with Western and Catholic philosophical and religious approaches to such questions (ESLR #1, 2, and 4)

C. To critically engage personal experience, ideological and cultural biases, from the perspective of reason, faith, history, and tradition (ESLR
Critical thinking skills
#1, 2, and 4) a. Students will exhibit intellectual independence in writing, conversation, and oral presentation (ESLR 2.1) b. Students will formulate rational, logical, and coherent arguments (ESLR 2.4) c. Students will express ideas verbally and in writing with clarity and coherence (ESLR
2.5) d. Students will use terminology and concepts appropriate to philosophical inquiry and discourse (ESLR 2.2) e. Students will analyze and formulate conclusions from the reading of appropriate primary and secondary texts with respect to the work’s inherent principle philosophical and religious perspectives, insights, conclusions, consequences and / or implications
(ESLR 2.4)
Philosophical inquiry and dialogue a. Students will base arguments on evidence drawn from personal reflection, current events, and awareness of historical and cultural trends in contemporary and historical context (ESLR 4.2) b. Students will formulate appropriate questions for critical inquiry into philosophical systems and modes of thought (ESLR 4.3) c. Students will describe and differentiate concepts, beliefs, and values in a manner consistent with our community’s moral framework: with respect for honesty, integrity, vigorous search for truth, and with modesty appropriate to the provisional character of all intellectual pursuit (ESLR 1.3) d. Students will express awareness of a plurality of philosophical traditions, their origins in and contributions towards the intellectual and ethical framework of various religious
(and non-religious) communities (ESLR 3.3) e. Students will practice philosophical inquiry as guided by a thorough reflection on the human condition, including the need for a formation of conscience in the practice of ethical decision-making and their own choice to lead their lives with moral conviction and personal integrity (ESLR 4.3)
Critical engagement with experiential biases from multiple perspectives a. Students will describe their own experiences, including their own ideological and cultural biases, with critical appreciation for both their benefits and limitations (ESLR
4.1) b. Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of several philosophical arguments and concepts that are critical to an adequate description of historical and contemporary Christian faith (e.g. arguments for and against the existence and nature of God, the relationship between faith and reason, the role of religion and religious communities in human societies) (ESLR 2.2)

c. Students will express understanding of philosophical terms, concepts, and systems as having originated in unique cultural and historical situations (ESLR 2.2)
COURSE OUTLINE:
1) Philosophical Issues in the Religions of the World (ESLR 1.1, 1.3) a) Confucianism b) Taoism c) Hinduism d) Buddhism e) Judaism f) Christianity g) Islam
2) Philosophy of Religion in the Western World (ESLR 1.1, 2.4) a) Greek / Roman philosophies of religion b) Neo-Platonism c) Neo-platonic Christian philosophies: Augustine and others d) Scholasticism: Aquinas and others e) Renaissance and Enlightenment philosophies of religion: Pascal, Descartes, Kant, Spinoza, Leibniz
3) 20 th Century Themes in Philosophy of Religion (ESLR 1.1, 2.2 4.6) a) Existentialist philosophies of religion: Kierkegaard, Buber, Heidegger, Rahner b) Personalist philosophies of religion: Blondel, Unamuno, John Paul II c) Neo-scholasticism: Maritain, Maréchal d) Constructionism and de-construction: Derrida, Marion
4) Theism and Theistic Conceptions of the Divine (ESLR 1.1, 1.2, 1.3) a) Arguments for and against the existence of God b) Arguments about the qualities of divine being c) Arguments for Theism d) Challenges to Theism
5) Religion and Science (ESLR 1.1, 2.3) a) Science and religion as ways of knowing b) Scientific knowledge as compatible and incompatible with religious knowledge c) Faith and reason
6) Religion and Ethics (ESLR 1.3, 4.2, 4.3) a) Role of religion in ethics b) Role of religious faith in secular society c) Ethics with and without faith
7) Philosophical Considerations on Christian Faith. (ESLR 1.1, 1.2, 1.3) a) Incarnation and sacrament b) Trinitarian theology c) Christian ethics
8) Intensive preparation for the IB examinations (ESLR 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5) a) May 4 and 5, 2010.
Senior safe environment curriculum (first semester) (ESLR 1.1-3, 3.1-3) – Self-guided study during Month of May, 2010.
Senior family life curriculum (second semester) (ESLR 1.1-3, 3.1-3) – Self-guided study during the Month of May, 2010.
Service requirements for CAS and for SMCHS (are outlined in the course policies document)
(ESLR 1.3, 3.3, 4.1-6)

TEXTBOOKS: Meister, Chad, ed. The Philosophy of Religion Reader. Routledge, 2008.
René Descartes. Meditations on First Philosophy, 3 rd edition. Donald A.
Cress, trans. Hackett, 1993.
Swindall, James C. and Harry J. Gensler. The Sheed and Ward Anthology
of Catholic Philosophy. Rowman & Littlefield, 2007.