哲学概論I

In this year as well as previous years, I will deliver my lectures in English. After giving introductory explanations on three fields traditionally studied in philosophy, namely, metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics, I will focus upon the problem concerning causal relations, as causation seriously matters in any fields of philosophy. Philosophical debates on causation undoubtedly compose the very core of philosophy not only in a theoretical sense but also in a practical sense. In particular, this year I will take the issue of "causation by absence" seriously, which is typically represented by such a causal claim, 'Parents' not taking care of their child caused their child to die'. I will develop my argument by mentioning Hume's theory of causation, counterfactual analysis, a problem of deviation, manipulability, and the profligate causation. After those arguments, I will finally discuss the problem of euthanasia by considering the issue of omission, which is an application of the problem of causation by absence. The aim of this lecture is to make students more interested in philosophy through showing and examining one of up-to-date, exciting debates in the contemporary philosophy.