Description

It comes from the Greek words meaning “love of wisdom.” In English, we call it philosophy—the study of the most basic questions we humans have ever pondered. Questions like: What is reality? What are the limits of human knowledge? The Long Debate focuses on the nature of self and self-identity; the authority of experience and the authority of science; the “nature” of human nature; and the right form of life. There are no final answers, only the hope—to use a line from Wittgenstein—that the right approach might help the fly find the way out of the bottle.This extraordinary series (fully 25 hours of instruction) covers more than 2,000 years of philosophical thought. Yet, The Great Ideas of Philosophy is much more than a mere survey course. After identifying and explaining the recurring and eternal questions of philosophy, Professor Daniel N. Robinson then demonstrates their connections to each other across centuries of debates.Professor Robinson is one of those rare teachers whose tremendous respect for his audience, vast expertise, relish for language, and engaging rhetorical flair create an exceptionally enjoyable learning environment. Dr. Robinson’s lectures make the ideas of philosophy thrilling, passionate, human, and divine.Indulge in the ideas that have captivated humankind for centuries and inspired great advances in Western civilization. After hearing Professor Robinson’s exposition, you may never view philosophy, or the world, in quite the same way again.