How to Level Up Philosophy in Four Questions

By request: How to level up Philosophy in Four Questions.

How to Level Up Philosophy in Four Questions

We have had some teens who are interested in more in-depth exploration of their Philosophy electives. That’s SO exciting! We know that people who think philosophically help create the future, long before it happens. They are the thinkers and idea creators that help everything move forward- from fashion to education to politics!

For those who want to level up their Philosophy in Four Questions curriculum- or simply want to do more exploring, here are some ideas (choose one):

• Complete History and Philosophy of the Western World

  • This is a full-credit course which covers the history of the Western World from the viewpoint of the philosophers who impacted its development. Thus, if you want a:
    • World History Level 5 course, complete Philosophy in Four Questions along with the text (or use the suggested leveling up activities in the textbook)
    • Philosophy Elective Level 5 course: completing History and Philosophy of the Western World along with Philosophy in Four Questions will do that.

• Log hours

  • Follow the guidelines in this post on earning credit levels for the homeschool transcript
    • Read biographies, additional philosophy books
    • Write a research paper or an essay on a topic that interests you
    • Play a game such as:
      • card game like Mighty Philosophers
      • digital game like Chambergon Battle Logic
      • online philosophy story game like Castle, Forest, Island, Sea from Open University
    • Watch Crash Course’s What is Philosophy? on YouTube
      • Make sure you jot down a couple of notes then write a short summary of the lesson (1 paragraph or an essay)
      •  There are 46 lessons in this Crash Course- we recommend parents check them out first to make sure they are appropriate for your teen (every teen is different)
    • Listen to the archives of Top 40 Philosophy (a podcast from Dr. Tillman, who wrote the text, about the philosophy of various top 40 songs over time
      • Keep some notes on each session you listen to. Write an essay about your thoughts or favorite ideas.
      • Again, parents, use your discretion, since these are top 40 pop songs over the years.

• More ideas based on chapters in Philosophy in Four Questions

  • NOTE: Your teen does not need to do ALL these activities. Have them do enough to meet the hour requirement for logging hours for leveling up or whatever you both decide.
  • ALSO NOTE: This post covers the first half of the textbook. The remaining chapters will be covered in a later post.

Chapter 1: What is Philosophy?

Chapter 2: Why Should Christians Care?

• Download 7Sisters FREE Apologetics curriculum and watch. Discuss each topic as a family and/or write an essay.

Part 1/Chapter 3: Philosophy’s First Question: Ontology- What is There?

• Watch this video that explains the difference between ontology, epistimology and research methods. Discuss what you discovered or write a brief essay.

Part 1/Chapter 4: Philosophy’s First Question: Ontology- Do You Exist? Do You Have a Soul? Do You Have a Physical Body?

• Read Aquinas for Armchair Theologians by Timothy M. Renick

Part 1/Chapter 5: Philosophy’s First Question: Ontology- Does the World Exist?

• Read Augustine for Armchair Theologians by Stephen A. Cooper
• Read this post Descartes Would Loose it After Seeing This Window and create an Ames window

Part 1/Chapter 6: Philosophy’s First Question: Ontology- Do Groups (like Companies, Countries, or Families) Exist?

• Get 7Sisters literature study guide for The Republic of Plato and read an online version of the Republic along with the study guide

Part 1/Chapter 7: Philosophy’s First Question: Ontology- Is Everything Just Physical?

• Watch this video on The One and the Many.  Discuss or write an essay.

Part 1/Chapter 8: Philosophy’s First Question: Ontology-Does God Exist (and What about Evil)?

• Read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Part 1/Chapter 9: Philosophy’s First Question: Ontology- Does Free Will Exist (and Do We Have It)?

• Read this reflection on Free Will from the C.S. Lewis Institute. What are your thoughts? Do you agree or disagree? Write an essay.

Part 1/Chapter 10: Philosophy’s First Question: Ontology- Application: How to Deal with Disagreements

• Listen to these Science of Happiness podcast episodeson how to hold difficult discussions:
  • A Way to Make Work More Meaningful: https://tinyurl.com/mtpay9jw
  • The Questions to Ask Yourself in an Argument: https://tinyurl.com/3uajhp4t
  • When It’s Hard to Connect, Try Being Curious: https://tinyurl.com/nhzj52vc
  • Making Difficult Interactions More Respectful: https://tinyurl.com/bddafcrw
• Write an essay or discuss

Part II/Chapter 11 Philosophy’s Second Question: Epistemology- An Introduction to Philosophy’s Second Question: How do we Know?

• Do this Bible study from C.S. Lewis Institute on What is Truth?

Part II/Chapter 12 Philosophy’s Second Question: Epistemology- What is Truth?

• Read this article by Martin Heidegger on The Essence of Truth. (It is an academic article, so not easy to read, but it is short.) Discuss or write an essay.

Part II/Chapter 13 Philosophy’s Second Question: Epistemology- Can We Learn the Truth from Others? (Language and Witnesses)

• Write an essay explaining how you personally can tell which “authorities” are trustworthy to listen to.

Part II/Chapter 14 Philosophy’s Second Question: Epistemology- Do We Know through Living or Thinking? (Empiricism and Rationalism)

• Read this post on the Francis Bacon and the alleged argument between science and the Bible. Discuss or write an essay about your thoughts. Do you agree or disagree?

Part II/Chapter 15 Philosophy’s Second Question: Epistemology- Giving Up or Going with What Works (Skepticism or Pragmatism)

• Read the book Pragmatism by William James. Write an essay on your thoughts: what did you agree or disagree with?

Part II/Chapter 15 Philosophy’s Second Question: Epistemology- Can We Just Get Back to Our Actual Experience? (Phenomenology)

• Read this academic article on phenomenology by Dallas Willard. (You may know Dallas Willard as the theologian who wrote The Divine Conspiracy. However, he was also a renowned professor and phenomenologist, as well.) Write an essay about your thoughts.

Part II/Chapter 17Philosophy’s Second Question: Epistemology- Application: Authorities, Science, Faith, and Reason

• Read Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis.

To be continued…

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