FALL 2005

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 2:45–4 » PR 202

7. Introduction to Philosophy (Pitzer)

» Brian Burkhart » Mo/We 12 noon–1:10 p.m. » Pitzer FL 112

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.

» Thielke » Tu/Th 9:35–10:50 » HN 107

32. Ethical Theory

Introduction to the central problems of philosophical ethics, including the nature of value, the justification of moral principles, and the psychology of moral choice. Classical and modern readings.

» Hurley » Tu/Th 1:15–2:30 » MA 108

36. Environmental Ethics

Concerned with humans’ place in and responsibility for the ‘natural world.’ Topics will include: the moral status of non-human animals and non-animate beings, the environmental consequences of our reliance on industrialized agriculture and biotechnology, the social and psychological factors that stand in the way of our making ‘green’ choices, the desirability and possibility of our formulating a coherent and compelling ‘global ethic.’

» Davis » Tu/Th 9:35–10:50 » PR 203

37. 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.

» Davis » Tu/Th 1:15–2:30 » PR 203

40. Ancient Philosophy

Origins of Western philosophy through reading and discussion of its classical sources, including the Presocratics, Stoics, Epicureans, Sceptics, Plato, and Aristotle. Lecture and discussion.

» Farner » Mo/We 1:15–2:30 » CR 10

54. Existentialism

The origins of existentialism and its impact on philosophy, literature, theology, and psychoanalysis. Extensive source readings in Kierkegaard, Sartre, Camus, de Beauvoir, Tillich, Frankl, and others.

Letter grade only.
» Sontag » Tu/Th 9:35–10:50 » PR 202

52. Philosophy of Religion (Pitzer)

A traditional concern of metaphysics is to understand the concept of God, including special attributes such as being all-knowing, all-powerful and all-good. Both metaphysics and epistemology have sought to assess the various grounds people have offered to justify believing in God. The philosophy of religion treats these topics and many related subjects, such as the relation between faith nd reason, the nature of religious language, the relation of religion and morality, how various religious traditions conceptualize the supernatural, and the question of how a God who is wholly good could allow the existence of evil.

» Burkhart » Mo/We 1:15–2:30 » BH 110

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. Identical to Linguistics 60.

» Atlas » Tu/Th 9:35–10:50 » PR 101

80. Philosophy of Mind

What can philosophers tell us about the mind? Surely in the 21st century, we should leave the study of the mind to neurobiologists, cognitive psychologists, and other scientists, shouldn't we?

Whether you think the answer to this last question is yes or no, in this class we will see that the resolution is not straightforward. We will explore, in very general terms, some of the approaches (including scientific approaches) to explaining what the mind is, and investigate whether any are satisfactory. Is having a mind a matter of having:

• a non-physical soul?
• a complex neurobiological structure (a brain)?
• a certain kind of functional or computational organization?

Can any of these views account for conscious experience? Do they explain how we have thoughts that are about things? Do they allow that our mental states cause our actions?

» Kung » Tu/Th 2:45–4 » PR 202

course website

160. Freedom, Markets, and Well-Being.

Our society embraces commitments both to safeguarding basic liberties and to facilitating the pursuit of happiness. In this course we take up a range of views concerning the appropriate role of the market in such a society. We then focus upon the challenges involved in bringing these arguments to bear on issues of public policy. Prerequisites: one course in each of philosophy, politics, and microeconomics. Identical to Economics 160, Politics 100, and PPE 160.

» Brown & Hurley » Mo/We 1:15–2:30 » HN 214

185E. Self, Language & Imagination

Seminar on recent reflections on continental themes generated by such thinkers as Rorty and Taylor. Emphasis on the role of language and imagination in political and existential discourses.

Letter grade only.
» Erickson » Mo 7:00 p.m.–9:50 p.m. » PR 202

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 2:45–4 » PR 203

188. Proseminar: Contemporary Philosophical Issues

Extended discussion of selected topics current in recent philosophical debate. Prerequisites: at least five philosophy courses and permission of instructor. Letter grade only.

» Hurley & Erickson » TBA

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. For more information, see the senior project webpage.

» by arrangement

senior project webpage

191b. Accelerated Senior Thesis
Alternate senior exercise for Philosophy majors. Course is intended only for students who wish to complete the senior thesis in the fall semester. A prospectus and bibliography will be due in early October, and the thesis must be submitted to the department in early December. Permission of instructor required. Fall 2005.

» 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. Each semester.

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.