Area D - Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies, and Ethics

Philosophy

Students will:

• Understand the value of thinking philosophically by reflecting on the meaning of one’s own life, the conceptual foundations of human actions and beliefs, the nature of the self and of human responsibility
• Understand and discuss coherently the central philosophical issues, such as the problem of evil, the existence of God, free will, the mind/body relation, human knowledge, and the question of being
• Demonstrate an ability to identify and articulate, both orally and in writing, the primary philosophical themes and issues found in the writings of the major philosophers
• Demonstrate an ability to evaluate philosophical arguments critically, both orally and in writing, using philosophical methods that have been developed by either historical or contemporary philosophers

Theology and Religious Studies

Students will:

• Human Dimensions of Religion, Theology, and Spirituality. Understand their own spirituality and recognize how religion, theology, and spirituality underlie and correlate with a broad range of human experience
• Religious Diversity. Understand, differentiate, and appreciate various religious traditions, as encouraged by Vatican II’s stance on the Catholic Church’s relationship with other faiths. This understanding will entail the creedal vision, moral teachings, historical context, social expression, and key rites and symbols of these faith traditions
• Social Justice. Investigate and discuss how religious and theological traditions can work effectively for social justice and for the good of the entire human family and the environment that sustains it

Ethics

Students will:

• Identify and articulate central ethical problems concerning equality, justice, and rights, and understand the role these play in personal and professional life
• Compare and contrast major ethical theories, to show how actions can be determined to be just or unjust, right or wrong, or good or bad, and to demonstrate knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of major ethical theories
• Investigate ways of settling ethical disputes in arriving at ethical judgments
• Think and write critically about classic and contemporary moral issues
• Identify the contributions of diversity and recognize the challenge that it presents in resolving contemporary ethical issues
• Demonstrate an ability to apply ethical theories and values in personal decision-making