Curriculum – Philosophy Works – Introductory Course Syllabus
Philosophy Works Syllabus Register
| The unexamined life is not worth living. Socrates | |
| Session 1: | THE WISDOM WITHIN |
| Why study Philosophy? | |
| Introduction to two very practical exercises in awareness. |
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| Coming to your senses. | |
| Session 2: | LEVELS OF AWARENESS |
| The wise live a life governed by principle. |
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| How often and for how long are we awake? |
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| Session 3: | WAKING UP TO NEW KNOWLEDGE |
| How can we live more consciously and with greater purpose? | |
| Observation and the spirit of inquiry. | |
| Session 4: | SELF KNOWLEDGE: WHAT AM I? |
| How can we wake up more often during the day? |
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| What is your substance, whereof are you made? William Shakespeare |
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| Self-knowledge through observation: "If you can see it, you can't be it." | |
| Am I this body? Mind? Heart? What more is there? | |
| Session 5: | WHAT YOU GIVE YOUR ATTENTION TO GROWS |
| How can we increase the power of attention and realize our full potential? |
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| Who is the center of attention? "Are you talking to ME?" | |
| Session 6: | BEAUTY: A NEW WAY OF SEEING |
| When awareness and attention are open how far can we see? | |
| Where is Beauty? What is beauty itself? | |
| A practical investigation based on Plato's Symposium | |
| Midterm reflection: Has this course made your life happier as the poster promised? | |
| Session 7: | A REMEDY FOR NEGATIVE FEELINGS |
| What can be done about negativity that limits our awareness and happiness? |
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| Introduction to a time-tested remedy for negative feelings. | |
| Is there such a thing as justice? | |
| Session 8: | WHAT IS OUR PART IN THE PLAY OF CREATION? |
| Introduction to a view of creation designed to bring greater balance and harmony into our lives. | |
| How can we play our parts with greater effectiveness and satisfaction? |
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| Session 9: | THE UNDERLYING UNITY: E PLURIBUS UNIM |
| What is the ultimate aim of all these practices in awareness? |
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| The philosophy of Advaita: Discovering unity in diversity |
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| Session 10: |
THE DESIRE FOR TRUTH |
| What brought us here? What keeps us here? | |
| Have we discovered some of the wisdom within? | |
| Are we more present and aware? Are we happier? | |
| Is there such a thing as Truth? | |
| What is the way forward? |
