Current Courses

To do philosophy is to reflect critically on our underlying beliefs (e.g., about reality, knowledge, freedom, responsibility) and to modify whatever doesn't stand up to scrutiny.  Whether we realize it or not, the very way we think is shaped by past thinkers -- which is why studying philosophy's history is a crucial part of doing philosophy.  In this course, we will focus on Ancient and Medieval thinkers as we strive to evaluate our views critically. This course has no prerequisite.

To do philosophy is to reflect critically on our underlying beliefs (e.g., about reality, knowledge, freedom, responsibility) and to modify whatever doesn't stand up to scrutiny.  Whether we realize it or not, the very way we think is shaped by past thinkers -- which is why studying philosophy's history is a crucial part of doing philosophy.  In this course, we will focus on Ancient and Medieval thinkers as we strive to evaluate our views critically. This course has no prerequisite.

Should we have sex with robots? Is it okay to use a robot prostitute? Can we force them to serve us or use them in warfare? And what about animals-do they have rights? Should we eat them, experiment on them or stick them in zoos? These are some of the fascinating and strangely important questions to be addressed in this course. We will learn how to do philosophy by thinking about the social, psychological and ethical implications of our relationships with these two very different kinds of creatures.

A lecture course covering Medieval philosophy from its earliest origins, culminating in the Platonism of Augustine, Boethius, John Scotus Eriugena and Anselm. Prerequisites:PHIL 1013 or 1023 or 1053 or 2263 or permission of the instructor.

Can Greek philosophers help us live a fulfilling life? This course examines a rich tradition known as "therapy for the mind," that developed from Socrates to Hellenistic Philosophy. These thinkers argue that philosophy improves many facets of our lives and can help us become happy. What do they have to say about happiness, emotions, desires, love, and death? Can this advice be useful for us today? The course presupposes no background in philosophy. Prerequisites: none.

A lecture course in which students learn how to identify and evaluate arguments drawn from a wide variety of sources. It will develop informal methods such as the identification of argument structure and informal fallacies. It will also develop formal methods that involve taking arguments in English, symbolizing them in a formal language, and evaluating strengths and weaknesses of the argument forms. Also covered are basic probability theory, inductive logic, and statistical reasoning.

In this course, we investigate and critically assess some of the most influential attempts in the history of philosophy to respond to art and artistic expression. Readings include selections from a variety of philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Hegel, Heidegger, and Benjamin. Prerequisites: None.

This seminar brings together two questions central to the study of Plato: What is philosophy? and what can it achieve? Through an analysis of primary sources and secondary literature, the seminar assesses various answers provided by Plato. Texts covered may include selections from the dialogues of definition (Apology, Euthyphro, Gorgias), from the metaphysical dialogues (Phaedo, Republic), and from the dialogues on language (Theaetetus, Parmenides, Sophist). Prerequisites: Any six (6) credit hours in the History of Philosophy (PHIL 2113, 2123, 2133, 2143, 2153, and 2163), or permission of the instructor.

A study of existential thinking, its fundamental structure, and its importance for a contemporary understanding of the human situation. Prerequisites:Take any 1000-level PHIL course or permission of instructor

This course is devoted to a topic of current interest in contemporary epistemology. The topic for any particular year may be selected from: skepticism, a priori justification, internalism and externalism, epistemic duty, epistemic justification, the definition and conditions of knowledge, sources of knowledge, explanation, knowledge and natural science, naturalized epistemology, analyticity. The text for the course will be either a recent monograph or a collection of articles. Prerequisites:Take any 1000-level PHIL course or permission of instructor

To do philosophy is to reflect critically on our underlying beliefs (e.g., about reality, knowledge, freedom, responsibility) and to modify whatever doesn't stand up to scrutiny. Whether we realize it or not, the very way we think is shaped by past thinkers -- which is why studying philosophy's history is a crucial part of doing philosophy.  In this course, we will focus on Modern and Contemporary thinkers as we strive to evaluate our views critically.  This course has no prerequisite.

To do philosophy is to reflect critically on our underlying beliefs (e.g., about reality, knowledge, freedom, responsibility) and to modify whatever doesn't stand up to scrutiny. Whether we realize it or not, the very way we think is shaped by past thinkers -- which is why studying philosophy's history is a crucial part of doing philosophy.  In this course, we will focus on Modern and Contemporary thinkers as we strive to evaluate our views critically.  This course has no prerequisite.

This course is an introduction to philosophy focusing on the opposition between myth and reason. Students learn the skills of philosophical analysis by studying one topic in detail. Questions explored may include: How are myth and reason different? Are they opposed? What are the limits of reason? Can myth help reason? Can reason refute myth? What role does authority play in myth and reason? This course has no prerequisite.

A lecture course covering the Medieval philosophy of the 13th century (especially Thomas Aquinas), the collapse of the Thomistic synthesis in fourteenth century philosophy, and the beginning of the Modern outlook. Prerequisites:PHIL 1013 or 1023 or 1053 or 2263 or permission of the instructor.

Philosophy, Influence, and Truth: Plato's Debate with Rhetoric Explore the power of language in shaping thought and society through Plato's Gorgias and key passages of the Phaedrus. This course examines timeless debates on power, justice, and persuasion, challenging students to develop critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and effective communication skills. Learn to recognize and counter manipulative discourse, understand its dangers such as tyranny and demagoguery. Together, we will assess the relevance of ancient arguments in today's world of influencers and crowd-pleasers. This course has no prerequisite.

What is a mind? Is the mind reducible to the brain? If not, how are they related? Various answers to these questions will be considered in the course. Topics will normally include: behaviourism, functionalism, dualism, identity theory, representational theory, consciousness, the intentional stance, eliminativism, property dualism, non-reductive physicalism. The course presupposes no background in philosophy and may be of interest to students in psychology and the life sciences, as well as philosophy. Prerequisites: none.

In this course, we will engage in a close reading of selected works by Martin Heidegger. We will consider Heidegger's attempt to raise anew the urgent "question of being;" specifically, how his development of this question demands a radical assessment of many of our most dearly held assumptions about truth, human nature, knowledge and reality, freedom and responsibility, history and time. Pre-requisites:PHIL 3543 OR 3583, OR permission of the instructor

A survey of intermediate topics in formal logic. The aim is to acquaint students with the formal language of modern deductive logic and to develop the basic techniques of good deductive reasoning. The course will be of interest to philosophy majors in particular (especially those who are planning to do graduate work in philosophy) but will benefit anyone who wants to acquire skills in abstract thinking. Prerequisite: PHIL 2513, or permission of the instructor.