INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
& CRITICAL THINKING
DUNCAN WACHIRA
,Course Description
Introduction to philosophy and its branches with special emphasis
on logic, ethics, values and virtues, moral decision making; critical
thinking, analytical thinking, critical reasoning, intellectual quotient
and emotional intelligence, Values of arguments, evaluation and
judgment. Obstacles to critical thinking and fallacies. Decision
making and problem solving, problem identification and search for
solutions, changing complaints into creative challenges; consistency
and credibility; Time management; introduction to National values
and national cohesion, leadership and integrity
,TOPIC ONE: Introduction to
Philosophy in general
Introduction
Etymological definition and meaning of philosophy
Branches of philosophy
Logic, obstacles and fallacies;
Ethics, character and behaviour change
Moral values, Virtues and Vices
Conclusion
,TOPIC TWO; Logic and critical thinking
Critical thinking and Analytical thinking
Critical thinking tools of Analysis
Critical and Analytical thinking Skills
Transformation role of critical thinking to a learner’s mindset.
Use of critical thinking in debates, Academic writing, group
Discussions and presentations
,TOPIC THREE; Essentials of Critical
Thinking and Argumentation
Creative and critical reasoning
Intellectual Quotient IQ and Emotional Intelligence EI
Meaning and Values of arguments
Obstacles and barriers of critical thinking
Judgment
,TOPIC FOUR; Decision Making And
Problem Solving
Meaning of informed decision
Ethical and moral decision making.
Problems identification and seeking solutions
Changing complaints into Creative Challenges
,TOPIC FIVE; National Values,
Leadership and Integrity, EAC
National values
Leadership and integrity
Corruption and remedies
Role of Ethics and Anticorruption Commission
Critical thinking; its implications in freedom and responsibility
,References
Main Book: Namwamba, T M. (2011); Essentials of Critical Thinking and Creative
Thinking 2nd edition, Njigua Books,Nairobi
Other books:
Bassham G, William Irwin, Carl, Henry Nardone, James M. Wallace (2004),
Critical Thinking, 2nd edition, McGraw Hill, Boston, Toronto.
Copi I., Carl Cohen (2005), Introduction to Logic, 12th edition, Prentice
Hall, Upper Saddle River.
Njino, J (2008); A Guide to Ethics; A Zapf Chancery Research Publishers
Richard P., Linda Elder (2002); Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge
of Your Professional and Personal Life. Published Jun 13, by FT Press.
Fisher A (2011); Critical Thinking: An Introduction; Cambridge University Press
Sherry Diestler (2011); Becoming a Critical Thinker: A User Friendly Manual;
Pearson publisher.
,ASSESSMENT GRADING
PARAMETERS MARKS
Articulation, diction and fluency in language 10
Academic writing 10
Application of Critical,creative and analytical Thinking & Debating Skills 25
Application of informed & ethical decision making & responsible choices 15
Total 60
End of Semester exam 40
Total 100
, METHODOLOGY
Lectures, Group Tutorials, Debates, Discussions, Academic Writing,
Case Studies scenarios, Video debates and analysis, PowerPoint
presentations.
& CRITICAL THINKING
DUNCAN WACHIRA
,Course Description
Introduction to philosophy and its branches with special emphasis
on logic, ethics, values and virtues, moral decision making; critical
thinking, analytical thinking, critical reasoning, intellectual quotient
and emotional intelligence, Values of arguments, evaluation and
judgment. Obstacles to critical thinking and fallacies. Decision
making and problem solving, problem identification and search for
solutions, changing complaints into creative challenges; consistency
and credibility; Time management; introduction to National values
and national cohesion, leadership and integrity
,TOPIC ONE: Introduction to
Philosophy in general
Introduction
Etymological definition and meaning of philosophy
Branches of philosophy
Logic, obstacles and fallacies;
Ethics, character and behaviour change
Moral values, Virtues and Vices
Conclusion
,TOPIC TWO; Logic and critical thinking
Critical thinking and Analytical thinking
Critical thinking tools of Analysis
Critical and Analytical thinking Skills
Transformation role of critical thinking to a learner’s mindset.
Use of critical thinking in debates, Academic writing, group
Discussions and presentations
,TOPIC THREE; Essentials of Critical
Thinking and Argumentation
Creative and critical reasoning
Intellectual Quotient IQ and Emotional Intelligence EI
Meaning and Values of arguments
Obstacles and barriers of critical thinking
Judgment
,TOPIC FOUR; Decision Making And
Problem Solving
Meaning of informed decision
Ethical and moral decision making.
Problems identification and seeking solutions
Changing complaints into Creative Challenges
,TOPIC FIVE; National Values,
Leadership and Integrity, EAC
National values
Leadership and integrity
Corruption and remedies
Role of Ethics and Anticorruption Commission
Critical thinking; its implications in freedom and responsibility
,References
Main Book: Namwamba, T M. (2011); Essentials of Critical Thinking and Creative
Thinking 2nd edition, Njigua Books,Nairobi
Other books:
Bassham G, William Irwin, Carl, Henry Nardone, James M. Wallace (2004),
Critical Thinking, 2nd edition, McGraw Hill, Boston, Toronto.
Copi I., Carl Cohen (2005), Introduction to Logic, 12th edition, Prentice
Hall, Upper Saddle River.
Njino, J (2008); A Guide to Ethics; A Zapf Chancery Research Publishers
Richard P., Linda Elder (2002); Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge
of Your Professional and Personal Life. Published Jun 13, by FT Press.
Fisher A (2011); Critical Thinking: An Introduction; Cambridge University Press
Sherry Diestler (2011); Becoming a Critical Thinker: A User Friendly Manual;
Pearson publisher.
,ASSESSMENT GRADING
PARAMETERS MARKS
Articulation, diction and fluency in language 10
Academic writing 10
Application of Critical,creative and analytical Thinking & Debating Skills 25
Application of informed & ethical decision making & responsible choices 15
Total 60
End of Semester exam 40
Total 100
, METHODOLOGY
Lectures, Group Tutorials, Debates, Discussions, Academic Writing,
Case Studies scenarios, Video debates and analysis, PowerPoint
presentations.
