ARGUMENT, KNOWLEDGE AND ETHICS: UNDERSTANDING CORE CONCEPTS IN PHILOSOPHY BY AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON GREEK UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

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SPYRIDON STELIOS
KOSTAS THEOLOGOU
SIMONI ILIADI
ELENI MANOLAKAKI

Abstract

An empirical study was conducted measuring the degree to which Greek university students’ understanding of core philosophical concepts (that is, ‘argument’, ‘knowledge’ and ‘ethics’) has been shaped by the material taught in the classroom. The extent of this transition from pre-instructional conceptions to textbook formulations has been investigated through the use of a new questionnaire. Findings indicate that generally, students retain their pre-theoretical understanding of these terms. Within this framework, some formal definitions are closer to common sense (e.g. ‘ethics’) and some others aren’t (e.g. ‘knowledge’). Furthermore, the role of intuitions in this process is been evaluated, leading to the ascertainment that previous philosophical encounters seem to play a crucial role in determining actual understanding.

Article Details

How to Cite
STELIOS, S., THEOLOGOU, K., ILIADI, S., & MANOLAKAKI, E. (2020). ARGUMENT, KNOWLEDGE AND ETHICS: UNDERSTANDING CORE CONCEPTS IN PHILOSOPHY BY AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON GREEK UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. Arhe, 17(33), 189–219. https://doi.org/10.19090/arhe.2020.33.189-219
Section
STUDIES AND INQUIRIES
Author Biographies

SPYRIDON STELIOS, National Technical University of Athens, Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, Greece

National Technical University of Athens, Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, Greece

KOSTAS THEOLOGOU, National Technical University of Athens, Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, Greece

National Technical University of Athens, Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, Greece

SIMONI ILIADI, National Technical University of Athens, Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, Greece

National Technical University of Athens, Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, Greece

ELENI MANOLAKAKI, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of History and Philosophy of Science, Greece

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of History and Philosophy of Science, Greece

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