Introduction

The creative artist reflects his understanding of nature when he portrays it in his art. Therefore, a right philosophy of nature is essential to his portrayal of Creation. This course, which assumes little prior knowledge of philosophy, shows how the use of reason can identify natural principles of the cosmos.  Such a philosophy of nature, developed by Aristotle and clarified by St. Thomas, deepens our appreciation of the world around us and of the findings of modern science. Through this new framework of understanding, a bridge between art and science is created.  Students will see that each deepens our sense of awe and wonder which fuels creativity for scientist and artist alike. 

If you are interested in auditing this course please email efroula@pontifex.university

The Philosophy of Nature

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PHILOSOPHY OF NATURE AND MAN SYLLABUS

Textbooks:

  1. Dodds, M.  The Philosophy of Nature.  Available at Lulu.com
  2. Dodds, M. Philosophical Anthropology. Avaliable at Lulu.com
  3. Searle, John.  Minds, Brains, and Science. Harvard University Press.  1984.
  4. Readings assignments for selected texts from Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas are available free online at http://classics.mit.edu/Browse/browse-Aristotle.html and http://dhspriory.org/thomas.  
  5. Other reading assignments will be provided in each lesson’s folder as downloadable material.

Course outline:

  1. Introduction to the philosophical approach
  2. First principles of accidental change
  3. Substantial change
  4. Prime matter
  5. Substantial form
  6. Platonic forms
  7. Ancient philosophical accounts of nature
  8. Substances: reductionism and emergentism versus hylomorphism
  9. Elements and the doctrine of “virtual presence” part 1
  10. Elements and the doctrine of “virtual presence” part 2
  11. Nature
  12. Principles of causality
  13. REVIEW!
  14. Quantity and motion
  15. Scientific challenges I
  16. Scientific challenges II
  17. Life I
  18. Life II
  19. The soul
  20. Vegetative life
  21. Vegetative life and cells
  22. Knowledge
  23. Sense knowledge I
  24. Colors and reality
  25. Internal senses I
  26. Sense appetite
  27. The Intellect I
  28. The intellect II
  29. The intellect III
  30. The will I
  31. The will II
  32. Review
  33. Artificial intelligence, mind and brain
  34. Artificial intelligence, mind, and brain
  35. The human soul and its immortality
  36. The origin of the human soul and being
  37. Biological evolution
  38. Person and Being I
  39. Person and Being II
  40. Person and Being III
  41. Person and Being IV
  42. SPECIAL TOPIC I: Natural philosophy and the artist
  43. SPECIAL TOPIC II: The Creative imagination
  44. SPECIAL TOPIC III: Health.

 


 

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If you are looking to enroll in the Masters degree in Sacred Arts please complete the application and we will contact you shortly.

  

If you are a professor interested in joining our faculty or an institution interested in partnering please email our Provost: dclayton@pontifex.university

  

If you would like to Audit this course, then Contact Us here.

Sign up for
Pontifex University Course: The Philosophy of Nature-3 Payments of $300/month

Lessons

Here is the class outline:

1. Welcome & Introduction to the Philosophical Approach

2. First principles of accidental change

3. Substantial change

4. Primary matter

5. Substantial Form

6. Platonic forms

7. Ancient philosophical accounts of nature

8. Substances: reductionism and emergentism versus hylomorphism

9. Elements and the doctrine of "virtual presence" part 1

10. Elements and the doctrine of "virtual presence" part 2

11. Principles of Causality

12. Nature

13. REVIEW!

14. Quantity and Motion

15. Scientific Challenges I

16. Scientific Challenges II

17. Life I

18. Life II

19. The Soul and its powers

20. Vegetative Life

21. Vegetative life and cells

22. Knowledge

23. Sense Knowledge

24. Color Realism

25. Internal Senses

26. Sense Appetite

27. The Intellect I

28. The Intellect II

29. The Intellect III

30. The Will I

31. The Will II

32. Review

33. Modern Ideas on Mind and Brain I

34. Modern Ideas on Mind and Brain II

35. Immortality and Origin of the Human Soul

36. Origin of the Human Person

37. The Origin of Life and of Species

38. Person and Being I

39. Person and Being II

40. Person and Being III

41. Person and Being IV

42. SPECIAL TOPIC I - Philosophy and the Artist

43. SPECIAL TOPIC II - The Creative Imagination

44. SPECIAL TOPIC III - Health