An introduction to the methods of philosophy including logical analysis and traditional philosophical problems such as the nature and extent of knowledge, the dilemma of freedom and determinism, the justification of the belief in god, personal identity, and the mind-body problem. [H]
An examination of conceptual and moral questions associated with selected contemporary social issues. Topics can include: the morality of abortion, the justification of preferential treatment, the permissibility of same-sex sex and marriage, and prostitution. [H, V]
This course concerns the moral and social controversies arising in medicine, biomedical research, and the life sciences. Topics may include: human cloning, genetic engineering, stem-cell research, reproductive technology, surrogate motherhood, euthanasia, informed consent, etc. Note: Students cannot earn credit for both PHIL 145 and PHIL 245. [H, V]
This course will begin with a brief presentation of prominent ethical theories and concepts important to debates in environmental policy. We will apply these theories and concepts to a range of environmental issues, including population growth, sustainability and our responsibilities to future generations, animal rights, food ethics, and climate change. In addition to reading, discussing and writing about rigorous academic material, students will be required to engage on a practical level with some environmental cause. [H, V]
Philosophical study of love, relationships, marriage, sex, sexuality, sexual identity, and sexual representation. Philosophers have deeply explored knowledge, existence, politics and ethics. Yet love and sex, which for most of us are central features of a good life, have received far less attention. In this course material from philosophers who have thought about love and sex will be explored along with contemporary struggles around sexuality, sexual identity, sexual violence, love, romance, intimate relationships, and marriage. [H, V]
Focuses on ideas, practices, and institutions that shape our relationship to AI, the Internet, data, and algorithms. Considers philosophy of technology, technology ethics, and interdisciplinary science and technology studies to discuss the ongoing impact of the Internet on society. Critically assesses data, algorithms, and large language models (LLMs) as they relate to ethical matters such as privacy and fairness. Situates AI in this context, including its impact on ownership and creativity. [H, V]
An investigation of the principles of correct reasoning through the use of formal techniques. By employing these techniques, students will learn to assess the validity of arguments and to find counterexamples to invalid arguments. Formal languages studied include propositional and predicate logic, and may also include languages of modal and deontic logic. Some metalogic may also be covered, including proofs of the soundness and completeness of some of the deductive systems studied. [Q]
A survey of the philosophical systems of Plato and Aristotle, with occasional excursions into pre-Socratic and post-Aristotelian thought. Readings drawn exclusively from classical texts. [H]
A critical survey of European philosophy from 1600 to 1800, a period during which enormously influential contributions were made to the philosophical study of knowledge, reality, and the nature and limits of philosophy itself. Philosophers to be studied include Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant. [H]
Revolving around the themes of self and society, this course explores the philosophical and cultural history of the Confucian tradition from its inception to the present day. Probing the cultural, religious, gender, and sociological aspects of Confucianism, students will develop a systematic understanding of the intersections and interactions of individual, community, and society in countries under a Confucian tutelage. Course materials consist primarily of canonical texts and modern scholarship, supplemented by literary narratives and movies. [GM1, GM2, H, V]
A detailed examination of substance, universals, mind-body, personal identity, freedom of the will, causality, space, and time. Contemporary and traditional solutions are presented. [H]
A general introduction to the philosophy of mind, addressing four key philosophical issues: the nature of psychological explanation, the mind-body problem, the possibility of artificial intelligence, and the nature of persons. [H]
An examination of fundamental philosophical questions on literature as an art form: its nature, interpretation, and evaluation. Topics may include: the ontological status of works of literature; the role of intentionality in literary meaning; the nature of metaphor; the readers emotional engagement with characters; the role of literature in moral and emotional development; the relationships between the sorts of values literature may have (aesthetic, moral, cognitive, etc.). [H, V, W]
A detailed examination of the concept of knowledge, nature of beliefs, justification of beliefs, relationship between knowledge and beliefs, truth, perception. [H]
The course covers theories of scientific method, the nature of scientific explanation, and the evaluation of scientific theories. [H]
An examination of the fundamental philosophical questions about the arts, including: What is art? Are there standards in the evaluation of artworks? Do the arts require or convey knowledge, and if so, what kind? What is the connection between art and emotion? What are the possible relationships between art and morality? Readings are drawn from both classical and contemporary philosophical writings. [H, V]
This course will begin with a brief presentation of prominent ethical theories and concepts important to debates in bioethics. We will apply these theories and concepts to a range of bioethics issues, including abortion, euthanasia, surrogacy, choosing for incompetent patients, and medical research. Note: Students cannot take both PHIL 145 and PHIL 245 for credit. [W]
We often judge that some action is morally right or morally wrong, but we don’t often ask: what makes an action right or wrong? Is it simply a matter of society’s rules, or are there objective, society-independent standards for rightness and wrongness? If there are, what might those standards be, and how can they be explained? This course explores these and related questions about the nature of morality. [H,V]
This course examines our moral obligations to nonhuman animals. What matters about, and to, nonhuman animals? Their lives? Their happiness and suffering? Does the welfare of all animals matter, even those that live in the wild? Can we provide a coherent rationale of our variable attitudes to animal wellbeing across the various contexts in which we interact with them, or must we dramatically alter at least some of our social practices involving animals? [H, V, W]
A comparative examination of Asian philosophical traditions, including Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, and Chan Buddhism. We will analyze classical Asian philosophical writings from a Western perspective, hence making the Western “bias” explicit, in hopes of moving beyond it by comparing examples of methodologies and conclusions of Asian and Western philosophers. Comparisons will address the areas of Ontology, Epistemology, and Axiology, including, but not limited to, issues of gender and class. [H, GM2, V]
A critical examination of the traditional theories of liberty, equality, justice, and political obligation as found in philosophers such as Plato, Hobbes, Locke, Marx, and Rawls. [H, SS, V]
An examination of issues in feminist philosophy including its critique of traditional Western philosophy and its contribution to major areas of philosophy such as ethics, social and political philosophy, theories of knowledge and reality. [GM1, H, V]
A survey of the philosophical systems of Frege and Russell, with analysis of the implications of that work for the development of analytic philosophy in the 20th century. Readings drawn exclusively from primary texts. [H]
This course addresses some basic questions about language: What is the relationship between thought and language? What is the relationship between language and reality? Theories about these issues will be applied to ethics and philosophy of mind. [H, W]
This course concerns the implications for philosophers of experiments aimed at discovering the attitudes of non-philosophers to traditional philosophical problems. The course concerns the methodology of philosophy, in particular the role of pre-theoretical intuition in debates over normative matters. It also concerns several traditional philosophical issues, such as of moral luck, free will, happiness and intentionally. [W]
An examination of philosophical questions on the nature, interpretation, and evaluation of film. Topics may include: the distinctive nature of the moving image compared to other forms of representation; the issue of whether film is an art form; film authorship; the essence of film narrative; the role of the imagination in understanding and appreciating film; identification and emotional engagement with characters; film and morality; film and knowledge. [H, V, W, GM2]
This advanced course in the philosophical study of moral properties, moral motivation, moral reasons, and moral knowledge considers questions such as: whether moral properties exist and, if so, whether they are natural or non-natural properties; whether contemporary accounts of supervenience or explanation can provide the foundations for moral realism; the relationship, if any, between moral judgment and moral motivation; whether moral requirements supply reasons for action; and whether moral knowledge is possible. [H, V]
An examination of conceptual and normative issues related to law and the legal systems. Topics can include: the nature of law, legal systems and legal obligation, constitutional interpretation, liberty and the limits of law, and the justification of legal punishment. [H, V, W]
A philosophical examination of the question of whether human life has any meaning. Topics include what “meaning” in this context might mean; whether accomplishments, immortality, value, happiness, narrative structure, divine purpose, or something else might make a human life meaningful; and what the ethical implications might be if human life has (or has no) meaning.
A philosophical investigation into the existence of God, attributes of God, and theism's possible implications in metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology. The course should appeal to students with a serious interest in clarifying the concept of God, answering the question of whether God exists, and understanding what further philosophical commitments might be involved in an acceptance of theism or atheism. [H]
Seminar on a topic of interest to the members of the department. Topics include: history of philosophy, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, political philosophy, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of law.
This course is an examination of some of the many ways in which what we know, and what knowledge we are able to share with others, are shaped by the individual, structural, and institutional power relations. We hope to discover the conditions of epistemic justice and means for making knowledge acquisition and knowledge transmission more equitable. Readings will include books by Miranda Fricker and Jose Medina and others' commentary, criticism, development, and application of their accounts. Throughout, we will explore the implications of epistemic injustice for social inequality, democratic institutions, and individual flourishing. [H, GM1, V, W]
Individual projects with advice from a faculty member resulting in a paper of substantial substance and content. [W]
This seminar serves as the Capstone course for the Philosophy major, but is also open to Philosophy minors who have already taken at least five philosophy courses. The Capstone provides students with an opportunity to apply and further develop their philosophical knowledge and skills, and their ability to engage in philosophical research and writing on a topic or area of special interest to them, if within the framework provided by the Capstone instructor. The Capstone promotes autonomous student work in investigating potential topics, conducting bibliographical research, etc., as well as sharing plans and ideas with peers in the seminar and with the instructor. While assignments, requirements, and course structure may vary along with the instructor, Capstone students will each produce a substantial piece of philosophical writing. [W]
Readings in original and translated works of philosophers and the writing of a paper of substantial substance and content. Majors not continuing to PHIL 496 from PHIL 495 may petition to change PHIL 495 to PHIL 390. [One W credit only upon completion of both 495 and 496]