Philosophy is the principal subject which is taken during the first stage of formation. Why study it? What value has it?

Philosophy looks at such issues as: What have been the different emphases of different ages? What are the problems posed and the questions raised by the great minds? What are the deepest issues of life? What is morality? What is religion? What is science? What is a human person? Can we know truth at all? Sometimes this may sound great and fascinating. At other times it will be experienced as dry and hard-going.

At the end of it all a student of Philosophy will be judged successful, not by how much he can remember, but by whether he has learned the skill of thinking things through, of reflecting, and by not being swayed by fashions and fads in thought. Ideally he will learn to ask questions, to wonder, to tease things out.

He will learn a skill which he will be able to use in many other areas of life; the ability to look clearly at people's views, reflect on them accurately, and examine them critically. In the study of Philosophy, attendance at lectures alone will hardly bring about any of the above, nor will it make the course interesting. What is needed is for all to involve themselves in discussions with others in their class. Lectures are meant as springboards of the mind. In the study of Philosophy getting down to work immediately and keeping up with lecture material is essential. It is necessary to sit down and write a summary of the lecture, picking out the main points while the material is fresh in your mind.

You will find that new terms will be coming up continually in dealing with different philosophers. It is helpful to use a dictionary of philosophy so that you can make sure that you understand these terms clearly, have a notebook and write down the meaning so that you can refer to it again.

STAGE 1

DETAILS / STUDY / PRAYER / COMMUNITY/ MINISTRY

STAGE 2

STAGE 3

SKILLS

TRAVEL

WORK

SUMMARY

If there is something that you do not understand ask for help from a fellow student or from the lecturer. Most lecturers are quite glad to stop and talk to a student if he has some difficulty. It is also possible to approach them after lectures or in their office. Students will be expected to submit essays on topics that have been treated at different times during the year.

Essay writing is particularly helpful. It challenges the student to research and read the topic. The effort which is put into writing an essay is a test of how well he has mastered the material and so made it his own, so that he can organize it and express it in his own words. There is usually a feeling of great personal satisfaction when one completes and hands in an essay.

STUDY: THE CHALLENGES AND HELPS>