Rev. Dr Madathisseril John Anoop

Program : Baccalaureate in Philosophy Semester : S4 Credits : 3 Teacher : Dr Madathisseril John Anoop Aim The purpose of this course is to have a critical or rational analysis of religion. After clarifying the nature, scope and methodology of the philosophy of religion, the concepts of reason, faith, revelation and religion are analyzed. We discuss the different theories of the origin of religion which is followed by a brief historical survey of the different world religions. We also concentrate on issues like religious belief, idea of God, religious experience, plurality of religions etc. References Charlesworth, M. J., Philosophy of religion: The Historical Approaches, London, 1972. Craig, W. L. (ed.), Philosophy of Religion: A Reader and Guide, New Jersey,…

Program : Baccalaureate in Philosophy Semester : S2 Credits : 3 Teacher : Rev. Dr Madathisseril Sebastian Aim The proposed course aims to impart a coherent picture about the value and meaning of the natural world. To achieve this end, at first, an exploration from a mythical (pre-scientific) view of the nature to the present-day understandings of the origin of the universe is undertaken. Then, a detailed analysis of Aristotelian and Newtonian cosmologies is done. A thorough philosophical investigation and analysis of the notions such as space, time, matter, motion, and energy etc. are done in detail. In short, the course entitled Philosophyof Nature functionsas a preparatory course to Anthropology and Metaphysics. References Frank Thilly, A History of Philosophy, SBW Publishers, New Delhi, 2005. Wallace,…

Program : Baccalaureate in Philosophy Semester : 03 Credits : 01 Teacher : Rev. Dr Madathisseril Sebastian Aim The concern of the course is to provide a philosophical vision of the nature and value of art and literature. The course starts from the historical development of the theme, up to the 20th century aestheticians. It discusses the different theories of aesthetic creativity namely the imitation theory, representation theory, how the classical Greek philosophers namely Plato and Aristotle responded differently to these theories, expressionist theory, formalist theory, neo-representation theory, neo-Wittgenstein open concept, and institutional theory of art. The discussion is centred on the fact that these different theories that explain the very nature of art has its importance for culture and…

Program : Baccalaureate in Philosophy Semester : S3 Credits : 03 Teacher : Rev. Dr Madathisseril Sebastian Aim This course is a study of the three the Indian Heterodox systems (Nastikadarsanas) such as Carvaka, Buddhism and Jainism. Essential characteristics of Indian thought, the teachings of the Vedas, the Upanishads and the Bhagavad-Gita are introduced in the beginning of the course It will discuss the metaphysics, epistemology and the ethical systems of these three counter movements. This course is intended to make learners aware of the rich heritage and aims in creating a sense of universal human hood and a living spirituality. References Vellarackal, Paul, Darsanas: Classical Indian Philosophy (Kottayam: OIRSI, 2016). Sharma, Chandrahar, A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy (Delhi:…

Program : Baccalaureate in Philosophy Semester : S3 Credits : 05 Teacher : Rev. Dr Madathisseril Sebastian Aim In the History of the Ancient Philosophy, we will elaborate general historical and geographical plan of ancient philosophy. Firstly, we will see how to understand the name of ‘pre-Socratic philosophers’. To accomplish this objective, there will be reading of a selection of the fragments and of the testimonies on pre-Socratic philosophers. Then we will continue with Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, on the relativity of human wisdom versus absolute divine wisdom. And also explain the Hellenistic philosophical schools such as sceptical, epicurean and stoic; then finally we will arrive at the Neo-platonic schools and the commentaries on this will point out the continuity…