Current Offerings

Spring 2009 Course Descriptions

(Course descriptions for Fall 2008 are below.)

Intro to Philosophy, Phil 101A
Professor Anderson, 9:20-10:20 MWF
We will explore three main questions: How do we know what we know? What is the universe really like? What should I do? In the process we will touch on related issues such as the existence of God, the nature of human freedom, the existence of the world, standards of right and wrong, and other such things. Readings will come from primary sources like Descartes, Berkeley, and Mill plus a helpful introductory textbook. Requirements will include exams based on study questions provided in advance, presentations, and participation.

Intro to Philosophy, Phil 101B
Professor Cameron, 10:00-11:30 TR
Our course begins with critical examination of the conception of philosophy which seems to have inspired Socrates’ outrageous claim that the unexamined life is not worth living. Socratic philosophy involves the critical investigation of life-orienting and inescapable questions, questions which all of us answer and the answers to which send our lives off in dramatically different directions. The idea is illustrated through critical examination of core questions from the three main branches of philosophy: ethics (e.g., what are our obligations to the world’s poorest people?), epistemology (e.g., what can we know?), and metaphysics (e.g., is there a God?).

Intro to Philosophy, Phil 101C
Professor Chandler, 10:30-11:30 MWF
This course will focus on four important problems of philosophy: the nature of justice, the value of freedom, the existence of God, and the relationship between science, religion and society. We will consider a number of questions, such as: what is a just society and how is justice related to sex, money and a “good life”? Do we have free will or are our lives set out for us ahead of time? What is it about freedom that seems to make it so important? Does God exist and if so, why is there so much evil in the world? Can science help us answer these questions? We will approach these questions by reading selections from Plato, Zhuangzi and Descartes. These writers are important for both their historical context as well as for what they have to say about contemporary issues.

Intro to Philosophy, Phil 101D ‘W’
Professor Lynch, 2:20-3:50 TR
What can we know with certainty? Or can we even be certain about anything at all? What are the consequences—for science, religion, ethics and art—of our attitudes toward certainty? An examination of "the quest for certainty" (to take a phrase from John Dewey) will frame our reading, thinking and discussion, but we'll be able to take up a variety of philosophical problems along the way. Readings will be principally from the Western philosophical tradition, from Plato to Otto Neurath (with a few stops in between). This course is a W course.

Intro to Philosophy, Phil 101E
Professor Wielenberg, 2:50-3:50 MWF
This course introduces students to some of the central topics and methods of philosophy. Among the topics to be discussed are the possibility of free will, the limits of the power that the state can legitimately exercise over its citizens, the moral status of civil disobedience, and the existence and nature of God. The emphasis will be on careful formulation and critical examination of the relevant views and arguments. The readings for the course are drawn from a bewildering variety of classic and contemporary sources. The course would not be complete without a hefty dose of Plato; we'll get our fix by way of the Platonic dialogues Apology and Crito, both members of the series of dialogues that describes the trial, imprisonment, and execution of Socrates. The requirements include tests, short writing assignments, and unannounced reading quizzes.

Logic, Phil 202 ‘Q’
Professor Chandler, 9:20-10:20 MWF
This is a Q course and an introduction to symbolic logic. Students will learn to do formal proofs and apply what they have learned in a variety of contexts. There will only be 20 students in the class and questions will be encouraged. Daily homework assignments are graded pass-fail. There are four chapter tests, a final exam and a portfolio analyzing arguments selected from books, magazines, and
texts from other classes.

Cosmology, Phil 203
Professors McKelligan and DeCarlo, 2:20-3:50 TR
An interdisciplinary, team-taught course which addresses ancient and perplexing questions about the universe as a whole. The course will consist of four major elements: (1) a study of the development of Western cosmology, particularly the change from belief in the Aristotelian earth-centered cosmos to the Copernican sun-centered model, and from there to the current picture of the cosmos, in which the earth and our solar system occupy no special position; (2) an examination of the current state of knowledge about the origin, large-scale structure, and probable future of the universe; (3) discussion of a range of philosophical questions centering on whether the universe shows evidence of intelligent design or purpose; (4) discussion of an assortment of interesting questions connected to cosmology, such as the role of mind in the universe, the possibility of time travel, and the search for extraterrestrial life. We will also devote some time to the study of the cosmologies of other cultures. Classes will combine lecture and discussion. There will be homework, tests, and papers.

Topics: Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Phil 206A
Professor Shannon, 12:40-2:10 TR
This class will focus on some of the major writings of these Continental Philosophers from the 19th century. Some of the areas that will be covered are cosmology, philosophy of religion, ethics, and aesthetics. Some of the themes will include whether life has meaning, the end of the world, the meaning of faith, whether ethics is bound to religion, what role art plays in understanding eternal cycles. For Kierkegaard, we will read some selections from a variety of writings, but we will also read the complete Philosophic Fragments (1844) and the first half of Concluding Unscientific Postscript (1846). For Schopenhauer we will be reading selections from his most popular book, Parerga and Paralipomena (1852). For Nietzsche, we will read his critique of Christianity in a work called Daybreak (1881), the creation of his “science” in The Gay Science (1882), and its first implementations as seen in the first essay of On the Genealogy of Morals (1887) and in his positive case for “nobility” in Beyond Good and Evil (1887). We will conclude by reading some sections from the Will to Power (1901) where Nietzsche objects to Darwin and Social Biology. Students are expected to write term papers on two of the three philosophers. There will be also a midterm and final test. Class participation is also required. Most classes will be discussion, based on the day’s readings.

Topics: Latin American Philosophy, Phil 206B
Professor Placencia, 1:40-2:40 MWF
This course will explore how Latin-American thinkers past and present have addressed some of the central questions of philosophy, for example: “What is the nature of human personhood?” “What is the nature of the Good?” “What makes a just society?” We will also spend some time reflecting on what makes Latin-American Philosophy a distinct tradition and what it means to be “Latin-American” people in general. The course work will consist of regular discussion questions, 1 paper, and three exams.

Ethics & Business, Phil 207
Professor Lynch, 10:00-11:30 TR
Our examination of ethics and business (not simply "business ethics") will be accomplished through three principal perspectives: justification, application, and reflection. We'll begin by examining our own intuitions about ethical justification—what makes an action right or a person or product good?—through analyses of the most significant Western approaches, approaches that have shaped our own thinking. We'll then turn to problems of application—a series of cases and perspectives about ethical challenges faced by individuals and corporations in the marketplace. Finally, we'll step back from particular cases for a broader reflection: what is the ethical import of business and the marketplace writ large? [This course is a part of the Management Fellows Program core curriculum.]

Biomedical Ethics, Phil 208
Professor McKelligan, 2:50-3:50 MWF
This course examines a wide range of moral and social policy questions that arise in the context of medical research and the practice and business of medicine. We will examine claims about physician responsibilities such as truth-telling, confidentiality, and respecting patient autonomy. We will look at the concept of informed consent in medical research on human subjects and concerns raised about experimentation on animals. We will look at an array of life-and-death decisions that physicians and patients face: abortion, treatment or termination of defective infants, euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. We will also explore many of the moral challenges generated by our increasing biotechnological capabilities such as genetic screening, prenatal genetic diagnosis, and techniques of assisted reproduction. We will consider, too, some of the pressing social issues related to scarcity and allocation of medical resources, such as increasing the supply of organs for transplant and determination of who gets what in times of crisis such as a pandemic. While we will focus most on American health care, we will not neglect global problems. Finally, we raise the question asked by Tom Brokaw in a recent presidential debate: Is health care a privilege, a right or a responsibility? And what do the possible answers to that question suggest about our national health care? The readings are drawn from an anthology of recent articles by philosophers, physicians and legal scholars. The class will be discussion-based. There will be short papers, a test, and a term paper and at least one class presentation.

Ethical Theory, Phil 213A
Professor Anderson, 12:30-1:30 MWF
The question, "What should I do?" is inescapable for us. But as soon as we try to answer it intelligently, we find ourselves led to several others: What actions are right or wrong? What sort of life should I lead? What sort of person should I be? And how can I tell? In this course we will learn about and critically evaluate a number of influential answers to these questions. We might also consider their impact on various controversial issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and war as we go. The requirements will include exams based on study questions provided in advance, presentations, participation, and possibly an in-class essay and some short writing assignments.

Ethical Theory, Phil 213B
Professor Wielenberg, 9:20-10:20 MWF
This course is devoted to an examination of some of the central questions in theoretical ethics. Specifically, we will consider each of the following questions: What makes a human life good for the one who lives it? What is the nature of good (and evil) character? What makes morally right actions right? What is the relationship, if any, between living a moral life and living a life that is good for you? We will critically examine both historical and contemporary attempts to answer each of these questions. The readings include some classics of ethical philosophy, such as Plato’s Laches, Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Immanuel Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals, and John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism, some works of fiction, such as Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange, and Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, plus a smattering of shorter philosophical writings, including some contemporary articles. The requirements include tests, short writing assignments, and unannounced reading quizzes.

History of Western Philosophy/Early Modern, Phil 216
Professor McKelligan, 10:30-11:30 MWF
A survey of major figures in Continental and British philosophy in the 17th and 18th centuries, with particular attention to problems in metaphysics and epistemology. We read selections from Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume and Kant, not only for their historical interest, but also for what they have to say about perennial philosophical problems. Class discussion is encouraged.

Topics: Godless Universe, Phil 307A
Professor Wielenberg, 2:20-3:50 TR
Suppose that we are living in a Godless universe; what are the implications of this? In this course we will carefully examine this question, paying particular attention to the implications of a godless universe for morality. Among the topics to be considered are theistic attempts to ground morality in God, evolutionary approaches to morality, and atheistic moral realism. We will read part or all of God?: A Debate Between a Christian and an Atheist, by William Lane Craig and Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Robert Adams’s Finite and Infinite Goods, Robert Wright’s The Moral Animal, Erik Wielenberg’s Value and Virtue in a Godless Universe, and others. The requirements include some short writing assignments, a term paper, a mid-term exam, and a final exam. Please note that this is not a “religion-bashing” class; all points of view will be treated with respect. Pre-requisite: One class in philosophy or permission of instructor.

Topics: Constitutional Interpretation, Phil 307B
Professor Lippke, 12:40-2:10 TR
This course will discuss prominent theories of constitutional interpretation, including originalism (the view that judges should decide appellate cases by reference to what the framers and ratifiers of the Constitution understood it to be), proceduralism (the view that judges should decide appellate cases in ways that will advance democratic procedures), and law as integrity (the view that judges should decide appellate cases by developing a moral and political theory that unifies prior decisions while advancing the best conception of the moral rights of citizens). We will then use these theories to examine substantive areas of constitutional law: freedom of speech and expression, privacy, and the establishment and free exercise clauses of the first amendment to the Constitution. In addition to discussing landmark court decisions in each of these areas, we will discuss the deeper philosophical bases for believing that citizens have fundamental moral rights to free speech and expression, privacy, and freedom of conscience. The legal cases concern such topics as flag burning, abortion, sodomy between consenting adults, same-sex marriage, prayer in public schools, posting the Ten Commandments, and the freedom to practice unconventional religions.

Metaphysics, Phil 312
Professor Cameron, 12:40-2:10 TR
Metaphysics is the philosophical study of what exists. We will "go beyond" physics in that if, e.g., physics employs the notion of a cause then we will ask what a cause is (something physics cannot answer). Our investigation will be critical, focused on arguments and reasons, and the topics will range over some of the most abstract questions ever asked: are there universals? do we survive our deaths? why is there something rather than nothing? etc. We'll also begin by asking why metaphysics matters, and end by discussing in more detail what it is.

Idealism, Phil 433 ‘S’
Professor Shannon, 10:00-11:30 TR
“Idealism” is a course on the philosophical thesis that (a) knowledge is obtained by concepts and (b) the reality of the world corresponds to the reality of thought. While there are various historical schools of idealism, beginning with Plato, we will mainly be considering “modern” idealism that is most closely identified with the 19th century German Philosophers (Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel), the 19th and 20th centuries British Idealists (Green, Bradley, Bosenquet, and McTaggart), and the 19th and 20th centuries American Pragmatic Idealists (Royce, Blanshard, Rescher). Some of the themes we will cover include our knowledge of things, whether time and space are real, the nature of political obligation, the meaning of religion, what constitutes the world. We will also consider several prominent critics of idealism, including Russell, Wisdom, and R. Sellars. This will be an S-class. Requirements include S-presentations, several papers, and a final exam.

Fall 2008 Course Descriptions

(Spring 2009 Course Descriptions are above. )

PHILOSOPHY 101A: Intro to Philosophy
ERIK WIELENBERG, 2:50-3:50 MWF
This course introduces students to some of the central topics and methods of philosophy. Among the topics to be discussed are the possibility of free will, the limits of the power that the state can legitimately exercise over its citizens, and the existence and nature of God. The emphasis will be on careful formulation and critical examination of the relevant views and arguments. The readings for the course are drawn from a bewildering variety of classic and contemporary sources. The course would not be complete without a hefty dose of Plato; we'll get our fix by way of the Platonic dialogues Apology and Crito, both members of the series of dialogues that describes the trial, imprisonment, and execution of Socrates. The requirements include tests, short writing assignments, and unannounced reading quizzes.

PHILOSOPHY 101B: Intro to Philosophy
MARTHE CHANDLER, 9:20-10:20 MWF
This course will focus on four important problems of philosophy: the nature of justice, the value of freedom, the existence of God, and the relationship between science, religion and society. We will consider a number of questions, such as: what is a just society and how is justice related to sex, money and a “good life”? Do we have free will or are our lives set out for us ahead of time? What is it about freedom that seems to make it so important? Does God exist and if so, why is there so much evil in the world? Can science help us answer these questions? We will approach these questions by reading selections from Plato, Zhuangzi and Descartes. These writers are important for both their historical context as well as for what they have to say about contemporary issues.

PHILOSOPHY 101C: Intro to Philosophy
JEREMY ANDERSON, 10:30-11:30 MWF
We will explore three main questions: How do we know what we know? What is the universe really like? What should I do? In the process we will touch on related issues such as the existence of God, the nature of human freedom, the existence of the world, standards of right and wrong, and other such things. Readings will come from primary sources like Descartes, Berkeley, and Mill plus a helpful introductory textbook. Requirements will include exams based on study questions provided in advance, presentations, and participation.

PHILOSOPHY 202 ‘Q’: Logic
MARTHE CHANDLER, 8:10-9:10 MWF
This is a Q course and an introduction to symbolic logic. Students will learn to do formal proofs and apply what they have learned in a variety of contexts. There will only be 20 students in the class and questions will be encouraged. Daily homework assignments are graded pass-fail. There are four chapter tests, a final exam and a portfolio analyzing arguments selected from books, magazines, and texts from other classes.

PHILOSOPHY 206A: Topics: Philosophy of Race
NATHAN PLACENCIA, 1:40-2:40 MWF
We use the “language of race” when we describe ourselves or others as White, Black, Chinese, Latino/a or use other similar descriptions. However, what we are really talking about is often unclear. Is race part of our biology? Is race a culture? Is it an ethnicity? This course explores the nature of race by studying the nature of the self, society, and the way in which these two features of human life are connected in what theorists often refer to as a “social identity”. We will look at selections and articles from historical and contemporary theorists that contribute to the understanding of race as a social identity. We will also consider what role race plays and ought to play in some of the political, social and moral issues that vex our communities. The course assignments will consist of weekly reading/discussion questions, two papers, and two exams.

PHILOSOPHY 206B: Topics: Moral Controversies
MARCIA MCKELLIGAN, 2:20-3:50 TR
In this course we will be grappling with some of the most controversial moral questions facing us today. Our aim will not be to choose sides–although that might inevitably happen– but rather to examine with care the arguments that philosophers and others have offered to support various points of view on an array of troubling and complex issues. We will read works by philosophers, theologians, social critics, public intellectuals, and professionals in a variety of fields. We will look at ethical discussions in the mass media as well as in scholarly works. We may also view some films which dramatize the questions we address. The topics we cover are not yet determined, but might include gay marriage, abortion, embryonic stem cell research, terrorism and just war, the death penalty, physician-assisted suicide, religion and politics, sex and violence in the entertainment media, executive compensation, and moral debates about Wal-Mart. To some extent, I will be influenced in choice of topics by whatever appear to be the "hot" issues in the presidential campaign. We will also look briefly at major themes in ethical theory. Some of the things we say or read may arouse passions or even give offense, but we will strive to maintain an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement of civil debate. Grades will be based on contribution to class discussion, papers, exams, and formal class presentations.

PHILOSOPHY 209: Environmental Ethics
JENNIFER EVERETT, 10:30-11:30 MWF
Environmental ethics is a subfield of philosophy which studies the extent of, limits to, and grounds for our moral obligations with respect to the more-than-human world. It is also a practical, interdisciplinary field concerned with identifying and facilitating environmentally ethical behaviors, policies, and social systems. This course aims to do justice to both aspects of the field (and to advance the citizenship preparation goals of a liberal education) by discussing key works, concepts, and theories in environmental philosophy and by offering opportunities for practical engagement with the campus community around the sustainability of our institutional practices.

PHILOSOPHY 213A: Ethical Theory
JENNIFER EVERETT, 12:30-1:30 MWF
The purpose of this course is to introduce philosophical approaches to the most fundamental question faced by human beings: how ought we to live? Each of us wants to do the right thing, live a good life, be an honorable person. We also want to live in a good and just society; thus, ethics is also an inextricable part of all of our practical political problems. To approach such matters philosophically is to confront a plethora of thorny theoretical quandaries. During the first part of the course we will address meta-level questions about ethics itself: What methods of reasoning should we employ in ethics? How are race, class, and gender relevant to moral understanding? Can moral questions have any objectively correct answers, or is it all “a matter of opinion”? In the second part, we will explore the landscape of normative ethical theory, competing efforts to explain at a general level why certain outcomes are good or bad, why particular acts are right or wrong, or why certain ways of living are morally preferable to others.

PHILOSOPHY 213B: Ethical Theory
ERIK WIELENBERG, 9:20-10:20 MWF
This course is devoted to an examination of some of the central questions in theoretical ethics. Specifically, we will consider each of the following questions: What makes a human life good for the one who lives it? What is the nature of good (and evil) character? What makes morally right actions right? What is the relationship, if any, between living a moral life and living a life that is good for you? We will critically examine both historical and contemporary attempts to answer each of these questions. The readings include some classics of ethical philosophy, such as Plato’s Laches, Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Immanuel Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals, and John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism, some works of fiction, such as Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange, and Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, plus a smattering of shorter philosophical writings, including some contemporary articles. The requirements include tests, short writing assignments, and unannounced reading quizzes.

PHILOSOPHY 214: Philosophy of Art
DANIEL SHANNON, 2:20-3:50 MWF
This course deals with both classical and contemporary theories on the philosophy of art. “Art” will be considered broadly, including painting, music, photography, poetry, and dance. We will begin with the question “what is art?” and look at examples where there is a dispute about how to classify it. Most of the class, however, will focus on how we evaluate art, either emotionally or intellectually. Some of the traditional theories covered concern art as “craft” and as “representation.” We will look at the theories of art that advocate Expressionism, the Instrumental View, and the Institutional View. Some of the contemporary theorists who we will read include Croce and Collingwood for Expressionism; Goodman for the Instrumental View; and Danto and Dickie for the Institutional View. We will also consider a contemporary perspective that makes the case for art as an understanding of a world. We will supplement the readings with a course packet, handouts, and on-line sources. The requirements for the course include participation, tests, and papers. The greater weight is on papers.

PHILOSOPHY 215: History of Western Philosophy-Ancient
RICHARD CAMERON, 10:30-11:30 MWF
We survey the origins of Western philosophy through a close textual and philosophical investigation of core texts. Themes covered include the birth of philosophical method (epistemology), the nature of being and the possibility of change (metaphysics), and how, by our own lights, we think we ought to live our lives (ethics). The survey covers thinkers from the presocratics through the Hellenistic period with special emphasis on Parmenides, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

PHILOSOPHY 221: Leadership & Responsibility
ROBERT BOTTOMS/MARCIA MCKELLIGAN, 12:30-3:20 M
This course examines theoretical, practical and moral dimensions of leadership. Topics include the nature of leadership, the elements of effective leadership, the obligations and responsibilities of leaders and followers, the challenges of leadership in a diverse and pluralistic society. Particular attention given to key figures and events in the civil rights movement as a way of illustrating and illuminating concepts covered in the course. Class sessions will consist of lecture and discussion. Readings drawn from philosophy, politics, and biography. Several short papers, 1-2 exams, one or more class presentations required.

PHILOSOPHY 307A: Topics: Social/Political Philosophy
JEREMY ANDERSON, 2:20-3:50 MW
In our lives government and its laws often appear to us as a demanding power, which compels us to cooperate by threatening us with the loss of our property, liberty, or even our lives. The main point of this course is to examine how far such demands can be justified, with special attention to the social contract tradition. We will begin by examining justifications of state power from authors such as Plato, Hobbes, Locke, and Rawls. We will then consider challenges to governmental authority from authors such as Jefferson, Thoreau, Spencer, Marx, Malcolm X, and King. Requirements will include presentations, at least one paper, participation, and a take-home final exam.

PHILOSOPHY 307B: Topics: Punishment
RICHARD LIPPKE, 12:40-2:10 TR
This course will examine some of the many moral questions raised by the institution of legal punishment. These include questions about the justifying aims of the institution (retribution, crime reduction, moral education, restitution), the underlying assumptions that theories of punishment make about the kinds of agents who can be held criminally responsible for their acts, the kinds of actions that should be criminalized, and the types of losses and deprivations that can be legitimately imposed on serious offenders in the name of punishment. Specific topical issues will include the use of supermax confinement, the preventive detention of dangerous offenders, the disenfranchisement of felons, and the fairness and
desirability of resolving criminal charges through plea bargaining.

PHILOSOPHY 315: Philosophy of Law
JEREMY ANDERSON, 10:00-11:30 TR
Can you attempt to murder someone who’s already dead? How is punishment justified? When other people are in danger, what duty do we have to rescue them? What is the proper way to interpret the law? Is it the business of law to enforce morality? We will critically examine such issues arising in the law, plus others of your choice. We will read essays on these topics and examine legal rulings. Requirements will include participation, at least one exam, at least one paper, and (depending on class size) presentations.

PHILOSOPHY 433: Philosophy of Mind
ERIK WIELENBERG, 2:20-3:50 TR
This course examines three issues in contemporary philosophy of mind. We assume a materialist framework, the main components of which are (i) there are no non-physical souls and (ii) every physical event that has a cause at all has a physical cause. Such a framework raises questions about various alleged mental phenomena. How does conscious experience fit into a materialist universe? How is it that mental states can represent or be about other things in such a universe? And finally, how can mental states cause behavior in such a universe? The requirements include some short writing assignments, a mid-term exam, a final exam, and a term paper. Pre-requisites: Two courses in philosophy or permission of instructor.

PHILOSOPHY 439 ‘S’: Senior Seminar
DANIEL SHANNON, 12:40-2:10 MW
This class is the capstone course for majors in philosophy. It covers a broad range of advanced topics in philosophy; typically three or four topics are covered during the semester. Topics may be treated historically or systematically. The students are responsible for presentations and discussions of the material. Several papers will be assigned, and the student selects one which will be the subject of a formal presentation. May not be taken pass/fail. Open only to seniors.