Course Profile - Curriculum Services Canada

Specific Expectations
Using Reasoning Skills
IS1.01 – correctly use the terminology of philosophical argumentation (e.g., logical validity, begging the
question, vagueness, argument from authority);
IS1.02 – define terms central to philosophical discussions of each of the big questions (e.g., personal
identity, nihilism, moral realism, utilitarianism, scepticism, aesthetic subjectivism);
IS1.03 – identify the main conclusions of some philosophical positions regarding one or more of the big
questions, and the arguments used to support them;
IS1.04 – illustrate common fallacies in reasoning (e.g., using ambiguous language to reach a conclusion,
dismissing an argument because of who advanced it instead of evaluating its intrinsic merits).
Using Research Skills
IS2.01 – find overviews of a variety of philosophical concepts and theories by accessing such sources as
encyclopaedias and surveys, and report on their findings;
IS2.02 – compile information related to the big questions of philosophy, using the Internet.
Using Communication Skills
IS3.01 – discuss their own views in philosophical exchanges in class with others;
IS3.02 – clearly explain their views and display their use of philosophical reasoning skills in short
written papers, using accepted forms of documentation as required.
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• Philosophy: The Big Questions - Open