Online Philosophy Course
A Simpler Approach to Understanding the Philosophy of Knowledge
Have you been searching for ways to enhance your life by exploring the philosophy of knowledge?
Traditional methods of learning philosophy often create barriers that make this rewarding pursuit feel out of reach. From expensive college programs to lengthy, uninspiring online courses that many struggle to complete, these options can leave you feeling discouraged and deprived of philosophy’s meaningful insights. With PL 108, Theories of Knowledge, we’ve designed a microlearning course to help you easily grasp core concepts, empowering you to live a more thoughtful, authentic, and fulfilling life.
Microlearning is an innovative educational method that can significantly improve your ability to learn philosophy effectively. By employing the SMART goal framework, this course helps you build your understanding gradually, with small yet impactful lessons that are manageable and tailored to your needs.
Course Overview
This engaging 6-week course provides a crash course in epistemology, breaking down the complexities of how we acquire knowledge into concise, focused lessons. With just 5-10 minutes of video material per week, plus optional reflections that make the topics relatable to your life, you’ll develop a clear understanding of key philosophical debates in a way that’s easy to digest.
Course Audience
This introductory course is designed for general learners with little to no background in philosophy, making it accessible and enriching for anyone eager to explore the field.
Key Learning Objectives
- Understand and explain foundational concepts of epistemology.
- Compare and assess differing philosophical theories of knowledge.
- Apply philosophical insights to real-life questions about truth, belief, and justification.
Course Delivery
This 6-week course is presented through bite-sized microlearning modules. Each week, you will access a concise 5-10 minute video lesson and a reflection or journaling prompt to deepen your engagement and understanding.
Course Description
Lessons
Lesson 1 – Introduction to Epistemology
Lesson 2 – Rationalism vs. Empiricism
Lesson 3 – Foundationalism vs. Coherentism
Lesson 4 – The Gettier Problem
Lesson 5 – Skepticism in Epistemology
Lesson 6 – Social and Feminist Epistemology
Course Overview and Benefits
The PL 108 Theories of Knowledge course is purposefully crafted to bring you a fresh, accessible path to learning about the philosophy of knowledge. Too often, topics like epistemology seem intimidating due to their academic roots, leading many potential learners to feel unqualified or overwhelmed. This course changes that by making deep philosophical insights clear, concise, and relevant to your everyday life.
Each lesson introduces a critical aspect of epistemology, starting with the basics of how humans define and perceive knowledge. You’ll explore philosophical giants like Descartes, Locke, and Hume as you examine the debates surrounding rationalism and empiricism—theories that argue whether reason or experience forms the foundation of what we know. From these frameworks, you’ll be guided through discussions of how knowledge is structured, whether through foundations (foundationalism) or systems of coherence (coherentism).
The course also touches on enduringly fascinating problems like those posed by Edmund Gettier, whose work challenges how we define knowledge. You’ll confront ideas of skepticism and learn about the ways doubt can shape, and sometimes undermine, our understanding of truth. The final lesson shifts focus outward, examining how social and cultural factors, as well as feminist perspectives, influence the production and validation of knowledge in society.
These lessons come to life through practical journaling activities that connect abstract concepts to personal experiences. For example, you’ll reflect on moments of doubt or on beliefs you once held but later changed. These exercises foster not only a deeper grasp of the material, but also self-awareness and intellectual growth.
What sets this course apart is its microlearning approach. Weekly lessons allow you to engage with material in manageable portions, steadied by the SMART goal framework to ensure consistency over time. You’ll avoid burnout, and each small victory will build toward a broader understanding without overwhelming your schedule.
By the end of the course, you’ll have cultivated the tools to think critically about the nature of truth, belief, and justification, and gained perspectives that are valuable across various areas of life. Whether you’re new to philosophy or looking to refresh your knowledge in a structured way, this course is your gateway to rewarding philosophical inquiry.