Most courses numbered 101 and below are suitable as first courses in philosophy. The Philosophy program is offered in cooperation with the other Claremont Colleges.
The department is offering the following courses this semester (updated March 6, 2007). For course offerings from other colleges, and for the latest scheduling information, please check the 5C Course Schedule.
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.
Discussion of various aspects of the human condition, personal and social, as presented in various works of literature.
Letter grade only.
» Erickson » Mo 7–9:50 » PR 202
30. Knowledge, Mind and Existence Introduction to some of the central issues regarding the nature of knowledge, the mind and reality. Topics include skepticism, the analysis of knowledge, mental causation, dualism, reductive and nonreductive physicalism, proofs for the existence of God, and free will.
» Keeley (Pitzer) » Tu/Th 12–1:10 » Pitzer AV 226
103A. Philosophy of Science Introduction to the philosophy of science via an exploration of the recent history of the field. The development of theories of science will be traced from the Vienna Circle and early 20th-century logical positivism, through the work of Thomas Kuhn ending with more contemporary views, such as feminist philosophy of science. Both Phil 103A & Phil 103B may be taken for credit, if desired, and may be taken in any order. Prerequisite: one course in philosophy, or one college-level science course, or permission of instructor.
» Perini » Mo/We 2:45–4 » HN 214
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.
» Birondo » Mo/We 11–12:15 » PR 102
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 2:45–4 » PR 202
48. Stem Cells and Human Cloning: Biology, Ethics, and Politics The promise of stem cells for human medicine is ensnared by the threat of human cloning. This course will cover the biology of stem cells and cloning, the ethical dilemmas currently envisioned, and the current and future political and legal approaches that could govern use of this technology.
No first-year students. » Davis & Hoopes (Biology) » Tu/Th 9:35 –10:50 » PR 202
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.
» McKirahan » Mo/We 1:15–2:30 » PR 203
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.
» Perini» Mo/We/Fr 10–10:50 » PR 101
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.
» Green & Eleanor Brown (Economics) » Mo/We 1:15–2:30 » PR 202
185A. Topics in Metaphysics Conceivability, possibility, necessity and related notions have played a role in the history of philosophy from Anselm’s 11th c. ontological argument to Kurt Goedel’s 20th c. one, and from Descartes’s 17th c. argument for mind-body dualism to Saul Kripke’s 20th C. one. The coherence of modal notions has been criticized by Quine, Goodman, White, and Harman, defended by Scott, Kripke, Lewis, Marcus, and Plantinga, and developed by Soames, Fine, Bealer, and Sidelle. This seminar will review the elements of formal modal logic and assess the role of modal notions in metaphysical arguments.
» Atlas » We 7:00 p.m.–9:50 p.m. » PR 202
185M. Topics: Mind and Language
Introduction to contemporary theories of language, cognition, truth, meaning, mind/body and intentionality. Prerequisite: PHIL 42 or 60, or permission of instructor. Same as LGCS 185M.
» Atlas » Tu/Th 1:15–2:30 » HN 216
185P. Topics: Value Theory
Contemporary treatments of some of the dominant topics in value theory. Egoism, ethical relativism, realism, objectivity, the fact/value distinction and weakness of will. Prerequisite: PHIL 31 or 32, or permission of instructor.
» Birondo » Mo 7:00 p.m.–9:50 p.m. » PR 203
185Q. Topics in 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.
» Davis » Mo 7:00 p.m.–9:50 p.m. » CA 110
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 1:15–2:30 » 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, 191b, is also available.
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
188A,B. Tutorial in Philosophy
Offered in the tutorial style to a few qualified students on a topic of the instructor’s choosing. Topic this semester is philosophy of religion. 188A, full course; 188B, half course. May be repeated.
» Sontag » 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.
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.
Pomona College
Department of Philosophy • 551 N. College Ave • Claremont, CA 91711-6355
Tel: 909/607-2921 · Fax: 909/621-8540 · email the department
48. Stem Cells and Human Cloning: Biology, Ethics, and Politics
