Many of the doctrines central to Christianity have important philosophical implications or presuppositions. In the history of Christian theology, philosophy has sometimes been seen as a natural complement to theological reflection, whereas at other times practitioners of the two disciplines have regarded each other as mortal enemies.
This course is intended to be an introduction to philosophy both in the sense of a primer and in the sense of a guide to understanding the essential nature of the philosophical enterprise and its relationship to and influence upon science and religion in general and Christianity in particular. The central questions as to the nature and scope of philosophy will be approached historically, tracing the emergence and development of philosophic thought in ancient Greece.