FALL 2009

1. Problems of Philosophy
A study of selected problems in philosophy, from such areas as ethics, philosophy of religion, theory of knowledge, and metaphysics. Classical and contemporary readings. Lecture and discussion.

section 1 » Kung » We eve 7 p.m.–9:50 p.m. » Pearsons 202

section 2 » Green » Mo/We 11 a.m. –12:15 p.m. » Pearsons 101

3. Philosophy Through Its History

Study of the development of philosophy in the West. Plato, Descartes, Hume, Kant, and Nietzsche will be considered. Lecture and discussion.

Letter grade only.
» Erickson » Mo/We 11–12:15 p.m. » PR 202

31. History of Ethics

Introduction to the major writings of several leading figures in the history of moral philosophy. Focuses primarily on moral philosophy of the modern period. Lecture and discussion.

» Tannenbaum » Tu/Th 9:35 a.m.–10:50 a.m. » PR 102

35. Normative Ethics

This course approaches the study of ethics thorugh a focus on principles, problems and applications, rather than (as Ethical Theory does) through the study of classical ethical theories and the foundations of ethics. The course will focus on different problems in different years; e.g., hard cases of J.S. Mill's Harm Principle and the concept of personahood and its role in ethics.

» Tannenbaum » Tu/Th 1:15 p.m.–2:30 p.m. » PR 202

38. Bioethics

Focuses on issues and themes that arise in our reflections about the conduct of scientific research and the application of its results, and about the nature and practice of medicine. Specific issues will vary from year to year. One year we may explore the conceptual underpinnings that help us understand and assess the efficacy and morality of medical treatment. Another year, the orientation of the course may be a more policy-centered one.

Letter grade only.
» Davis » Tu/Th 9:35 a.m.-10:50 a.m. » Pearsons 202

54. Existentialism

This course covers the origins of existentialism and its impact on philosophy, literature, theology and psychoanalysis through extensive source readings in Kierkegaard, Sartre, Camus and others. Issues will include the notions of truth and self-deception in existentialism, various notions of transformation, and the plausibility of varying modes of existence as somehow capable or incapable of being conceptually caught by means of a psychological net. Other guiding questions will be: What motivated such notions for such "existentialist" thinkers? Is existentialism most insightfully described as a therapy or a religion?

Letter grade only.
» Erickson » Mo eve 7 p.m.–9:40 p.m. » Pearsons 202

60. Logic

Introduction to mathematical logic through the development of proof techniques (natural deduction and semantic tableaux) and model theory for sentential logic and quantification theory. Properties of logical systems, such as consistency, completeness, and decidability.

» Perini » Tu/Th 2:45 p.m.–4:00 p.m. » CA 109

81. Epistemology: Truth, Justification, Knowledge
The facts seem to matter: Does the movie start at seven? Do the brakes on the school bus work? Should we teach evolution, creationism or both? But how do we know what the truth is? What makes some of our beliefs justified and others unjustified? Can we have any objective grasp on the truth?

» Kung » Mo/We 1:15 p.m.–2:30 p.m. » PR 202

185M. Topics: Philosophy of Language and Mind
Introduction to contemporary theories of language, cognition, truth, meaning, mind/body and intentionality. Prerequisite: PHIL 30 or 60, or permission of instructor.

» Atlas » We eve 7 p.m.–9:50 p.m. » Pearsons 202

185Q. Topics: Science and Values
This course will examine a family of issues in (1) mental/psycho-social health, (2) environmental and public health; (3) legal, regulatory and educational issues related to scientific research and science teaching; or (4) reproductive ethics. The focus will vary from year to year.

Letter grade only. 1st- and 2nd-years need permission.
» Davis » Tu/Th 2:45 p.m.–4:00 p.m. » PR 102

186K. Kant

A detailed examination of the works of Immanuel Kant, focusing on issues that arise from Kant’s transcendental idealism. Topics may include Kant’s account of cognition, the nature and limits of human knowledge, the force of the moral law, and the warrant of aesthetic judgment. Prerequisite: Philosophy 42.

» Thielke » Tu/Th 1:15 p.m.–2:30 p.m. » PR 203

191. Senior Thesis
Senior exercise for the Philosophy major. A year-long sequence leading to the completion of a thesis supervised by faculty members. Students must enroll in 191 both in the fall and spring semester. A prospectus of the project as well as a substantial annotated bibliography will be due in early December; the final thesis must be submitted to the department in early April. Each semester.

An accelerated one-semester option, 191F, is also available.

» staff » by arrangement

senior project webpage

187 A, B Tutorial in Philosophy
Selected topics, determined jointly by the student and the tutor, conducted through frequent student papers evaluated in Oxford-style tutorial sessions. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor. 187A, full course; 187B, half course. May be repeated.

» Atlas » by arrangement

198. Summer Research Projects
Summer reading and research on a topic agreed to by the student and the instructor. Normally, such study involves a set of short papers and/or culminates in a research paper of substantial length. Course or half-course.

199. Independent Study
Independent reading and research on a topic agreed to by the student and the instructor. Normally, such study involves a set of short papers and/or culminates in a research paper of substantial length. Course or half-course. Each semester.