I. General Information
1. Course Title:
Immortality and the Afterlife
2. Course Prefix & Number:
PHIL 1417
3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:
Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 3
4. Course Description:
This philosophy course examines concepts of the afterlife, personal survival and immortality from the perspectives of religion, philosophy and science. Examination of afterlife beliefs of major world religions will include detailed investigation of concepts of paradise, physical resurrection, reincarnation, and cosmic unity. Philosophical arguments for and against survival as well as analysis of theories of self and mind as seen from the perspectives of dualism, materialism, hypophenomenalism and functionalism will be examined in terms of their relationship to various types of survival; contemporary views derived from near death experiences, quantum physics and probability will also be considered.
5. Placement Tests Required:
6. Prerequisite Courses:
PHIL 1417 - Immortality and the Afterlife
There are no prerequisites for this course.
9. Co-requisite Courses:
PHIL 1417 - Immortality and the Afterlife
There are no corequisites for this course.
II. Transfer and Articulation
1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:
|
Name of Institution
|
Course Number and Title
|
Credits
|
|
Bemidji State University
|
PHIL 2270 Death and Survival
|
3
|
III. Course Purpose
MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:
- Goal 2 – Critical Thinking
- Goal 6 – Humanities and Fine Arts
IV. Learning Outcomes
1. College-Wide Outcomes
| College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies |
Students will be able to: |
| Demonstrate reading and listening skills |
Evidence understanding of content and major ideas conveyed in assigned readings and lecture content. |
| Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations |
Satisfactorily assess afterlife concepts presented in readings, class lecture and discussion in terms of quality, quantity and relevance of evidence in short written assignments and group discussion exercises. |
2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of
the course:
|
Expected Outcome
|
MnTC
Goal Area
|
|
Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
|
6
|
|
Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
|
6
|
|
Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
|
6
|
|
Gather factual information and apply it to a given problem in a manner that is relevant, clear, comprehensive, and conscious of possible bias in the information selected.
|
2
|
|
Imagine and seek out a variety of possible goals, assumptions, interpretations, or perspectives that can give alternative meanings or solutions to given situations or problems.
|
2
|
|
Recognize and articulate the value assumptions that underlie and affect decisions, interpretations, analyses, and evaluations made by others and ourselves.
|
2
|
V. Topical Outline
Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.
1. Lecture Sessions
|
Introduction
A.
Historical prevalence and extent of afterlife beliefs
B.
Broad overview of range of beliefs
C.
Overview of critical thinking methodology that will form the basis of class
work.
- Argument: Clarifying premises and conclusions
- Cogent induction and sound deduction
- Fallacies of relevance
- Fallacies of insufficient information
- Fallacies of presumption
- Source credibility factors
|
|
Abrahamic Faiths—Heaven, Hell,
Resurrection
A.
Judaism, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
B.
Christianity, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
C.
Islam, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
D.
Related Theories of mind and identity
i. Dualism: Plato, Descartes, C.S. Lewis
ii. Reductive Materialism: Hobbes, Churchland, B. Russell
iii. Functionalism: Hilary Putnam
E.
Kant’s argument from moral duty
F.
Hick’s soul building argument
|
|
Dharmic Faiths – Reincarnation,
Moksha, Nirvana
A.
Hinduism, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
B.
Buddhism, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
C.
Related Theories of Mind and identity
i. Bundle Theory: Hume
ii. Hypophenomenalism: Ducasse
|
|
Experience based arguments
A.
Apparitions
B.
Messages from the dead
C.
Deathbed visions
D.
Near death experiences
E.
Neurobiological views
|
|
Non-religious theories
A.
“Inside out” theory: Staume
B.
Omega Point evolutionary views: Bergson, Tippler
C.
Nick Borstrom’s simulation argument
|
|
Introduction
A.
Historical prevalence and extent of afterlife beliefs
B.
Broad overview of range of beliefs
C.
Overview of critical thinking methodology that will form the basis of class
work.
- Argument: Clarifying premises and conclusions
- Cogent induction and sound deduction
- Fallacies of relevance
- Fallacies of insufficient information
- Fallacies of presumption
- Source credibility factors
|
|
Abrahamic Faiths—Heaven, Hell,
Resurrection
A.
Judaism, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
B.
Christianity, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
C.
Islam, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
D.
Related Theories of mind and identity
i. Dualism: Plato, Descartes, C.S. Lewis
ii. Reductive Materialism: Hobbes, Churchland, B. Russell
iii. Functionalism: Hilary Putnam
E.
Kant’s argument from moral duty
F.
Hick’s soul building argument
|
|
Dharmic Faiths – Reincarnation,
Moksha, Nirvana
A.
Hinduism, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
B.
Buddhism, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
C.
Related Theories of Mind and identity
i. Bundle Theory: Hume
ii. Hypophenomenalism: Ducasse
|
|
Experience based arguments
A.
Apparitions
B.
Messages from the dead
C.
Deathbed visions
D.
Near death experiences
E.
Neurobiological views
|
|
Non-religious theories
A.
“Inside out” theory: Staume
B.
Omega Point evolutionary views: Bergson, Tippler
C.
Nick Borstrom’s simulation argument
|
I. General Information
1. Course Title:
Immortality and the Afterlife
2. Course Prefix & Number:
PHIL 1417
3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:
Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 3
4. Course Description:
This philosophy course examines concepts of the afterlife, personal survival and immortality from the perspectives of religion, philosophy and science. Examination of afterlife beliefs of major world religions will include detailed investigation of concepts of paradise, physical resurrection, reincarnation, and cosmic unity. Philosophical arguments for and against survival as well as analysis of theories of self and mind as seen from the perspectives of dualism, materialism, hypophenomenalism and functionalism will be examined in terms of their relationship to various types of survival; contemporary views derived from near death experiences, quantum physics and probability will also be considered.
5. Placement Tests Required:
6. Prerequisite Courses:
PHIL 1417 - Immortality and the Afterlife
There are no prerequisites for this course.
9. Co-requisite Courses:
PHIL 1417 - Immortality and the Afterlife
There are no corequisites for this course.
II. Transfer and Articulation
1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:
|
Name of Institution
|
Course Number and Title
|
Credits
|
|
Bemidji State University
|
PHIL 2270 Death and Survival
|
3
|
III. Course Purpose
2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:
- Goal 2 – Critical Thinking
- Goal 6 – Humanities and Fine Arts
IV. Learning Outcomes
1. College-Wide Outcomes
| College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies |
Students will be able to: |
| Demonstrate reading and listening skills |
Evidence understanding of content and major ideas conveyed in assigned readings and lecture content. |
| Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations |
Satisfactorily assess afterlife concepts presented in readings, class lecture and discussion in terms of quality, quantity and relevance of evidence in short written assignments and group discussion exercises. |
2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of
the course:
|
Expected Outcome
|
MnTC
Goal Area
|
|
Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
|
6
|
|
Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
|
6
|
|
Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
|
6
|
|
Gather factual information and apply it to a given problem in a manner that is relevant, clear, comprehensive, and conscious of possible bias in the information selected.
|
2
|
|
Imagine and seek out a variety of possible goals, assumptions, interpretations, or perspectives that can give alternative meanings or solutions to given situations or problems.
|
2
|
|
Recognize and articulate the value assumptions that underlie and affect decisions, interpretations, analyses, and evaluations made by others and ourselves.
|
2
|
V. Topical Outline
Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.
1. Lecture Sessions
|
Introduction
A.
Historical prevalence and extent of afterlife beliefs
B.
Broad overview of range of beliefs
C.
Overview of critical thinking methodology that will form the basis of class
work.
- Argument: Clarifying premises and conclusions
- Cogent induction and sound deduction
- Fallacies of relevance
- Fallacies of insufficient information
- Fallacies of presumption
- Source credibility factors
|
|
Abrahamic Faiths—Heaven, Hell,
Resurrection
A.
Judaism, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
B.
Christianity, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
C.
Islam, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
D.
Related Theories of mind and identity
i. Dualism: Plato, Descartes, C.S. Lewis
ii. Reductive Materialism: Hobbes, Churchland, B. Russell
iii. Functionalism: Hilary Putnam
E.
Kant’s argument from moral duty
F.
Hick’s soul building argument
|
|
Dharmic Faiths – Reincarnation,
Moksha, Nirvana
A.
Hinduism, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
B.
Buddhism, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
C.
Related Theories of Mind and identity
i. Bundle Theory: Hume
ii. Hypophenomenalism: Ducasse
|
|
Experience based arguments
A.
Apparitions
B.
Messages from the dead
C.
Deathbed visions
D.
Near death experiences
E.
Neurobiological views
|
|
Non-religious theories
A.
“Inside out” theory: Staume
B.
Omega Point evolutionary views: Bergson, Tippler
C.
Nick Borstrom’s simulation argument
|
|
Introduction
A.
Historical prevalence and extent of afterlife beliefs
B.
Broad overview of range of beliefs
C.
Overview of critical thinking methodology that will form the basis of class
work.
- Argument: Clarifying premises and conclusions
- Cogent induction and sound deduction
- Fallacies of relevance
- Fallacies of insufficient information
- Fallacies of presumption
- Source credibility factors
|
|
Abrahamic Faiths—Heaven, Hell,
Resurrection
A.
Judaism, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
B.
Christianity, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
C.
Islam, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
D.
Related Theories of mind and identity
i. Dualism: Plato, Descartes, C.S. Lewis
ii. Reductive Materialism: Hobbes, Churchland, B. Russell
iii. Functionalism: Hilary Putnam
E.
Kant’s argument from moral duty
F.
Hick’s soul building argument
|
|
Dharmic Faiths – Reincarnation,
Moksha, Nirvana
A.
Hinduism, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
B.
Buddhism, selected literary accounts and artistic representations
C.
Related Theories of Mind and identity
i. Bundle Theory: Hume
ii. Hypophenomenalism: Ducasse
|
|
Experience based arguments
A.
Apparitions
B.
Messages from the dead
C.
Deathbed visions
D.
Near death experiences
E.
Neurobiological views
|
|
Non-religious theories
A.
“Inside out” theory: Staume
B.
Omega Point evolutionary views: Bergson, Tippler
C.
Nick Borstrom’s simulation argument
|