Phil1068 Hku Guide
Phil1068 — HKU
Phil1068 is an undergraduate-level course offered by the Department of Philosophy at The University of Hong Kong (HKU). The course introduces students to central topics, methods, and debates in contemporary philosophy, emphasizing critical thinking, argumentation, and conceptual analysis.
5. Why do students take it?
- Common Core Requirement: Fulfills the Humanities area, but is widely seen as one of the more engaging and less formulaic options.
- Life-Relevant: Unlike abstract logic or metaphysics courses, PHIL1068 directly addresses questions students face during university: purpose, career choice, relationships, and mortality.
- Manageable Workload: No final exam (usually). Emphasis on short, regular writing rather than high-stakes testing.
- Cross-Cultural: The inclusion of Confucian and Daoist texts makes it particularly relevant for HKU students comparing Chinese and Western values.
Final Verdict: Is PHIL1068 HKU Worth It?
Yes. For the average HKU student, PHIL1068 offers a rare opportunity to earn credit for thinking about your personal life critically. You will leave with more questions than answers—specifically, better questions. You will never watch a romantic comedy the same way again. phil1068 hku
Enrollment Strategy: This course fills up within 48 hours of course selection opening. Have a backup (e.g., PHIL1015), but set an alarm for 09:30 on enrollment day. The waitlist is notoriously long. Phil1068 — HKU Phil1068 is an undergraduate-level course
5. Conclusion
The Sorites Paradox highlights a limitation of the classical logic system taught in PHIL1068. While symbolic logic is powerful for analyzing validity, it struggles with the vagueness inherent in natural language. An analysis of this paradox demonstrates that while logic provides the rules for valid inference, defining the truth of the premises remains a philosophical challenge. Common Core Requirement: Fulfills the Humanities area, but
2. Typical Topics & Readings
The syllabus moves from classical foundations to modern challenges. Common topics include:
- Ancient Greek Views: Aristotle on eudaimonia (flourishing) and the role of virtue.
- Existentialism: Albert Camus (The Myth of Sisyphus – embracing absurdity), Jean-Paul Sartre (existence precedes essence), Simone de Beauvoir (meaning through freedom and commitment).
- Eastern Perspectives: Confucian role ethics (meaning found in relationships), Daoist ideas of spontaneous harmony (wu-wei), and Buddhist views on suffering and detachment.
- Contemporary Analytic Philosophy: Susan Wolf’s “Fitting Fulfillment” view (meaning = subjective attraction + objective value), and Thaddeus Metz’s “fundamentality” theory.
- Nihilism & Its Critics: Reading selections from Nietzsche and contemporary pessimists (e.g., David Benatar).
Detailed Syllabus Breakdown
The PHIL1068 syllabus is divided into three major historical blocks. While specific primary texts vary by semester, the core thinkers remain constant.
Alternatives and Sequels
If you enjoy PHIL1068, consider these HKU philosophy courses:
- PHIL2076 – Philosophy of Emotions
- PHIL2080 – Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (Great for Engineering students)
- PHIL1015 – Introduction to Ethics (Broader, less focused on relationships)