Philosophy

Students who are interested in pursuing a deeper study of the various fields of philosophy have the opportunity to take one or more of the following courses, which are offered on a rotating basis.

Ancient Philosophy

This course focuses on the greatest of the ancient Greek philosophers, Socrates, Plato, & Aristotle. Smaller selections of the Roman philosophers Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Cicero are also included. The course culminates in a close reading of the classic work On the Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius.

Advanced Logic

This course is a continuation of logic course that is offered as part of the trivium track described above. Students will review the basic laws of logic, but with a much deeper exploration of its philosophical foundations in the nature of the human mind and the nature of truth itself. More advanced and complex forms of argument will also be learned, analyzed, and practiced.

Medieval Philosophy

The focus of this course is on the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas, giving students the opportunity to delve much more deeply into Thomistic metaphysics, natural theology, ethics, psychology, and more.

Philosophy of the Human Person

In this course, students will engage prominent texts from the Western tradition, along with modern texts, to discover what it means to be embodied rational souls. Students will think critically about the relationship between body and soul in man, the powers of the soul, what those powers enable us to do, and how we are called to live because of that ability. As students investigate man as man, they will place their findings within the context of the human condition, and explore the role of emotions, suffering, and community for the human person. Readings include selections from Plato, St. Thomas Aquinas, Mortimer Adler, Victor Frankl, Karol Wojtyla, and more.

Philosophy of Lewis and Chesterton

This course studies modern philosophical issues through the lens of classical philosophy by focusing on the writings of two intellectual giants of the twentieth century, G.K. Chesterton and C.S. Lewis. Works include: Orthodoxy, The Everlasting Man, The Abolition of Man, The Four Loves, Manalive, and a variety of selected essays.