FALL 2008

1. Problems of Philosophy, section 1
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.

» Birondo » Mo/We 2:45–4 » Pearsons 203

1. Problems of Philosophy, section 2
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.

» Kung » We eve 7 p.m.–9:50 p.m. » Pearsons 203

4. Philosophy in Literature

Discussion of various aspects of the human condition, personal and social, as presented in various works of literature.

Letter grade only.
» Erickson » Mo/We 11–12:15 » Pearsons 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.

» Kung » Mo/We 1:15–2:30 » Pearsons 202

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 » Tu/Th 2:45–4 » Mason 5

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 » Pearsons 102

37. Values and the Environment

» Davis » Tu/Th 1:15–2:30 » Pearsons 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.

» Davis » Tu/Th 9:35-10:50 » Pearsons 102

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 2:45–4 » Pearsons 202

71. History of Aesthetics
A survey of various aesthetic theories, from antiquity to the 19 th Century. Topics will include the nature of beauty, the epistemological status of aesthetic judgments, and the connection between art and morality. Readings from Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche, among others.

» Thielke » Tu/Th 9:35-10:50 » Pearsons 202

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) » Tu/Th 2:45–4 » Pearsons 202

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 eve 7:00 p.m.–9:50 p.m. » Pearsons 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 » We eve 7 p.m.–9:50 p.m. » Pearsons 202

186H. Topics in History of Modern.
An examination of issues central to 17th- to 19th-century philosophy. Topics might include the debate between rationalism and empiricism, the limits of reason, the nature of substance and mind, and the nature of human experience. Reading to be drawn from authors from Descartes to Nietzsche. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: PHIL 42.

» Thielke » Tu/Th 1:15–2:30 » Pearsons 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.

» Birondo » 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

187 C Tutorial in Ancient Philosophy

» McKirahan » by arrangement

188A,B. Proseminar
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.

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.