Philosophy Course Descriptions

An introduction to philosophical analysis and intensive study of selected philosophical classics. Topics include the existence of God, the problem of evil, problems of knowledge, the relationship between mind and body, free will, determinism, and moral obligation. Recommended for freshmen and sophomores. PREREQUISITES: Recommended for freshmen and sophomores

What makes actions right or wrong? This course explores the ways in which prominent ethical theories answer that question. The course also provides opportunity to apply the basic principles of different ethical theories to a variety of historical and contemporary issues. This si a lecture- and discussion-based course. Requirements may include homework assignments, projects, papers, and exams.

A three-credit introduction to some contemporary topics in philosophy related to life in the 21st Century. Topics may include threats to knowledge and belief posed by social media and the internet, cultural-linguistic issues related to politics and power, and questions related to technology and the use of forces in policing and warfare. Learning is assessed using short written work and exams.

An introduction to the interdisciplinary study of how the mind works. Topics include: the nature of perception; what human language reveals about the mind; the basis of morality and altruism; how sexual selection has shaped human psychology; and the cognitive science of religious and spiritual belief. We will discuss tools, theories, and assumptions from philosophy, psychology, computer science, linguistics, anthropology, behavioral economics, and neuroscience.

Eating has become a complicated activity. We will examine some of the hard ethical questions facing policymakers and individuals: How should government regulate our food choices? When, if ever, is it ethical to eat animals? Are there any moral reasons to favor local food producers? Is gluttony a moral fault? Not open to students who have previously received credit for Philosophy 316.

The course will examine moral dilemmas created or intensified by recent advances in medical technology and study ways of analyzing those dilemmas to make them more tractable. We will focus on examples such as euthanasia and the right to die, abortion, behavior modification, allocation of scarce medical resources, in vitro fertilization, genetic screening and engineering, and human experimentation. PREREQUISITES: Recommended for freshmen and sophomores

Formal study of the notions of validity, consistency, and equivalence in the languages of sentential logic and predicate logic, plus an introduction to semantics for these languages. PREREQUISITES: Recommended for freshmen and sophomores

Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

A survey of ancient Greek philosophical theories of the cosmos, justice, and the principles and purpose of human inquiry through the works of Plato and Aristotle. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, sophomore standing, or consent of instructor

We will explore some exciting developments of the 16th and 17th centuries. Specifically, we will look at how the study of metaphysics, epistemology, and the mind, were transformed by the scientific revolution. The works of three thinkers will serve as our primary window in to this era: French philosopher and mathematician, Rene Descartes(1596-1650); English philosopher and physician, John Locke (1632-1704); and German philosopher and mathematician, Gottfried Leibniz (1646-1716). But we will also read excerpts from some other prominent figures of this era, including Thomas Hobbes, Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia, Nicolas Malebranche, and David Hume. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, sophomore standing, or consent of instructor

An examination of selected works of 18th- and 19th-century philosophers. Epistemology, metaphysics, and ethics are emphasized. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, sophomore standing, or consent of the instructor.

An introduction to philosophical texts by women authors in Early Modern Europe, including Émilie Du Chatelet, Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia, Christine de Pizan, Margaret Cavendish, Mary Astell and Anne Conway. We will consider the import of these texts on controversial topics of the time: new scientific methods, gender equality, political rule, the nature of mind and body, religious authority and morality. Lecture/discussion with written assignments. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy or sophomore standing

An examination of the early 20th-century works of G. E. Moore and Bertrand Russell against the background of the then-dominant Hegelian Idealism. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, sophomore standing, or consent of instructor

An examination of the attempts by pragmatists such as C. S. Peirce, William James, and John Dewey to reconceptualize “traditional” issues in Western philosophy. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, sophomore standing, or consent of instructor

A consideration of the contribution of feminism to a range of subjects of philosophical inquiry, including: the philosophy of mind, ethics and the history of philosophy. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, sophomore standing, or consent of instructor

An introduction to existentialist philosophy, with emphasis on its development throughout the 19th and 20th centuries in the Continental tradition of philosophy. This course pays special attention to such existentialist themes as the possibility of meaninglessness, the necessity of first-personal experience, and authenticity. PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing, one previous course in philosophy, or consent of instructor

An introduction to philosophical theories of friendship, with emphasis on feminist responses. This course examines historical and contemporary accounts of the value of friends and the role they play in our self-development, as well as moral accounts of the special obligations friendships involve. This course can be counted as the equivalent of GEST 280. PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing, one previous course in philosophy, or consent of instructor

A survey of topics in Chinese philosophy, which may include Classical Chinese philosophy, Buddhism and religion and comparative philosophy. We will discuss how the quickly changing historical and political climates affect the major schools of thought and influence pertinent philosophical questions for the region or topic. Assignments include papers and in-class assignments/presentations. PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

An examination of some basic questions concerning the nature and extent of human knowledge, focusing on the topics of skepticism, justification, certainty, the a priori and the a posteriori, and analyses of knowledge. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, junior standing, or consent of instructor

An examination of some central philosophical questions about reality, such as: What basic kinds of things are there? Is truth always and only relative to a conceptual scheme? What is the nature of necessity and possibility? What is the nature of change over time? PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, junior standing, or consent of instructor

What can alternative science fiction worlds and speculative futures reveal about the nature of reality and our own condition? In answering this question we will engage philosophical puzzles inspired by science fiction in various forms: short stories, novels, television series and movies. Topics may include time travel, robot intelligence and consciousness, scientific knowledge, morality, political power, free will and personal identity. Lecture/discussion. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy or junior standing, or consent of instructor

We will examine some of the hard ethical questions facing policymakers and individuals with respect to food production and distribution: How should government regulate our food choices? When, if ever, is it ethical to eat animals? Are there any moral reasons to favor local food producers? Is gluttony a moral fault? This course is designed for Philosophy and Environmental Studies majors to pursue research projects. Not open to students who have previously received credit for Philosophy 115.

An examination of theories about how we should live. Issues include the role of rights, duties, and virtues in decision making, the scope of morality, the limits of our obligations to others, and the foundations of morality. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, junior standing, or consent of instructor

We’ll begin with an initial discussion of issues related to justified belief, before turning to examine some purported examples of pseudoscience. Next, we’ll pivot to consider several answers to the question of what makes something a science or a scientific theory. We’ll then investigate the phenomena of explanation and laws of nature, both closely related to the scientific project. Ultimately, we’ll apply these previous considerations in discussions of some potential borderline cases, including Biology, Economics, and Computer Science. We will conclude with some reflections on how to address pseudoscience in the public square and in our own minds. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, junior standing, or consent of instructor

An examination of the range of views on the relationship between reason and religion, focusing in particular on theistic belief. Questions addressed include: Can God’s existence be proven? Is faith different from ordinary belief? Does mystical experience provide adequate grounds for religious belief? PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing

This course will focus on the nature of God and the afterlife from the perspective of the Abrahamic and Indian Hindu and Buddhist traditions, including arguments for and against the existence of God and the afterlife. Does God or the afterlife exist? Does either provide us with reason to be good? Students will be evaluated on the basis of expository and critical essays and presentations.

An examination of major theories of the essence of art, of the major 20th-century critique of the thesis that art has an essence, and of recent attempts to analyze art in light of the critique. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, junior standing, or consent of instructor

The specific topic investigated changes with each term. Student responsibilities may include evaluation of primary and secondary sources, short assignments, class activities, research, and essay writing.

How and why do we value art? Is there an objective standard of taste or is taste relative? How does and aesthetic property--such as beauty--differ from other properties of art--such as being made of stone? What are the roles of emotion and evolution in aesthetic response? These and other questions will be considered in this discussion-oriented class. Appropriate for those interested in philosophy, art history or cognitive science. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy or sophomore standing, or consent of instructor

Philosophers from classical to contemporary times have offered responses to the question of what makes a society just. This course examines a selection of those responses, with attention to general issues such as what a just distribution of resources requires and what makes a state’s authority legitimate. Specific topics under discussion might include poverty relief, access to education and other social goods, health care, punishment, freedom of speech, gun control, war, immigration, and international relations. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, junior standing, or consent of instructor

This seminar focuses on race-based social injustices and considers what institutional changes are necessary to overcome racial inequity. How do current social and legal practices perpetuate racism? Possible topic include the concept of race, the value of race-based solidarity, affirmative action, racial segregation and racial profiling. Students will write papers in which they present their own philosophical arguments.

An examination of some ethical assumptions that might figure in discussions of environmental policy by economists, legal experts, philosophers, and policy scientists. PREREQUISITES: One course in economics or environmental studies or government or philosophy; or junior standing

A seminar examining one particular issue or set of issues in bioethics. PREREQUISITES: PHIL 120 or two courses in philosophy

This course uses feminist theories to explore philosophical questions concerning sex and love. How do gender norms affect our sexual desires and the power dynamics in loving relationships? How responsible are we for our sexual preferences and loving attitudes? How do we relate ethically to lovers and those we love? PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, sophomore standing, or consent of instructor

This course focuses on ethical issues that arise from the development of new technology. Specific topics may include artificial intelligence, information technologies, human enhancement, transhumanism, transgenesis, ectogenesis, nanoethics, and neuroethics. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, junior standing, or consent of the instructor

This course focuses on theories of the good and related philosophical issues. Questions that we will explore include: What is happiness? How are happiness and satisfaction related? Can we measure happiness or well-being? Is virtue valuable in itself? PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, junior standing, or consent of instructor

Senior majors undertaking honors projects should elect one or more terms. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Advanced students of philosophy may elect one or more terms. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

An examination of major theories of meaning, reference, and cognitive content and an attempt to understand how language functions to relate “internal” psychological states to things in the “external” world. Contemporary philosophers are emphasized. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, junior standing, or consent of instructor; PHIL 150 recommended

An examination of major and cutting edge topics in the philosophy of language and linguistics. Where do word meanings come from? How can one word mean different things in different contexts? How do we promise or make commitments? Why do slurs hurt and jokes amuse? What is the nature of metaphor? Where does the border between what words mean and what speakers mean with words lie? These and other questions will be considered. Appropriate for students with an interest in philosophy, linguistics, or cognitive science. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, junior standing, or consent of the instructor

What is the relationship between the mind and the body? What is the nature of conscious experience? How do mental states represent states of the world? Is our common sense conception of mental states and processes compatible with the methods and assumptions of cognitive science? These and other questions in the philosophy of mind will be considered. PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, PSYC 340, junior standing, or consent of instructor

An investigation of topics selected from among the following: consistency and completeness theorems for both sentential and predicate logic, Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorem, logical paradoxes (Russell’s Paradox, the Liar Paradox, and Newcomb’s Paradox), and modal-tense logic and its formal semantics

This course will focus on issues relating to the nature of and our knowledge of mathematical truths, such as 2 + 2 = 4, and to the existence of mathematical entities like numbers and sets. How do we know that mathematical truths are true? Do numbers exist? If so, what are they like? Students will be evaluated on the basis of expository and critical essays and presentations.

An exploration of questions such as: To what extent may a decision in a legal controversy be deemed uniquely correct (as contrasted with an exercise of the judge’s discretion)? What purposes and assumptions underlie branches of the law such as criminal law or torts? What are the functions of precedent? What are the various relationships between morality and the law? PREREQUISITES: One course in philosophy, junior standing, or consent of instructor

An interdisciplinary investigation of key concepts of identity and the emotions as understood during the Enlightenment. Students examine philosophical and literary texts to uncover how seventeenth and eighteenth century people conceived of their mental and emotional existence, and how these historical conceptions still influence contemporary theories of mind and self. PREREQUISITES: One course in either English or philosophy, or junior standing, or consent of instructor

Senior majors undertaking honors projects should elect one or more terms. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Advanced students of philosophy may elect one or more terms. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Specific topics for the year will be published as classes are scheduled. PREREQUISITES: Three courses in philosophy or consent of instructor

Senior majors undertaking honors projects should elect one or more terms. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Advanced students of philosophy may elect one or more terms. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.