本課程藉著研讀當代西方哲學家懷德海(A. N. Whitehead) 的經典之作：《理性的功能》，討論人類文明歷史的關鍵：科學與理性的發展、二者的互動，以及如何通過理性推動人類文明的進步。本書原是懷德海1929年在普林斯頓大學所做的Louis Clark Vanuxem Foundation Lecture，後經出版，共有四章。本課程將每章分為三至六個小節，共計十二節，將與學生逐字研讀，並就其中重點(理性的真正功能、適者生存、經驗與環境、理論理性與實踐理性、最終因與目的，理性的演化等等)討論。By studying the classic work of contemporary Western philosopher A. N. Whitehead: "The Function of Reason", this course discusses the key to the history of human civilization: the development of science and rationality, the interaction between the two, and how to promote rationality The progress of human civilization. This book was originally the Louis Clark Vanuxem Foundation Lecture that Whitehead gave at Princeton University in 1929. It was later published and consists of four chapters. This course divides each chapter into three to six sections, with a total of twelve sections. Students will read it word for word and discuss the key points (the true function of reason, survival of the fittest, experience and environment, theoretical rationality and practical rationality, final causes). and purpose, the evolution of reason, etc.).
A. N. Whitehead, The Function of Reason (New Jersey: Princeton University, 1929).
《教育与科学︰理性的功能》。简体书，[英]A.N.怀特海。黄铭译。大象出版社。2010-03。
俞懿嫻，(1993年6月)。〈評《達爾文之後--自然歷史之省思》(Ever Since Darwin: Reflections in Natural History) by Stephen Jay Gould”〉，《哲學雜誌》，5， 頁204-213。
A. N. Whitehead, The Function of Reason (New Jersey: Princeton University, 1929).
"Education and Science: The Function of Reason." Simplified Chinese book, [English] A.N. Whitehead. Translated by Huang Ming. Elephant Press. 2010-03.
Yu Yixian, (June 1993). "Review of "Ever Since Darwin: Reflections in Natural History" by Stephen Jay Gould", Journal of Philosophy, 5, pp. 204-213.
| 評分項目 Grading Method | 配分比例 Grading percentage | 說明 Description |
|---|---|---|
| 期中考期中考 midterm exam |
30 | 隨堂考試 |
| 期末考期末考 final exam |
40 | 隨堂考試 |
| 書面作業及分組口頭報告書面作業及分組口頭報告 Written assignments and group oral presentations |
30 | 分組口頭報告，書面報告含翻譯摘要、單字表、心得感想 |
