Philosophy Department Course Offerings
Fall 2005
118A ~ MAKING OF THE MODERN MIND ~ MWF 10:45-11:40 ~ Langerak
118B ~ MAKING OF THE MODERN MIND ~ MWF 9:05-10:00 ~ Langerak
We survey the development of historically significant conceptions of reality, knowledge, and ethics from Socrates to Nietzsche. We study the major philosophers in their cultural context, emphasizing how they relate their explanations of the universe to their conceptions of morality and of a meaningful human life. The aim is to understand the historical contributions of philosophy to Western culture as well as their continuing significance. Open to first-year students and sophomores only. HWC
118C ~ MAKING OF THE MODERN MIND ~ T 1:20-2:45, Th 2:15-3:35 ~ Manion
Drawing on the writings of historically important figures such as Plato, Descartes, Hume, Kant, and Nietzsche, as well as contemporary philosophers, this course examines what philosophers think about, why they think about these things, and the general relevance of philosophical thinking to everyday life. Topics covered will include the existence of God, the problem of evil, knowledge of the world and other minds, the nature of personal identity, free will, and the foundation and application of morality. Students will develop fundamental philosophical skills through analyzing philosophical texts and arguments, participating in class discussion, and writing critical essays. HWC
231 ~ PHILOSOPHY OF MIND ~ T 9:35-1:00, Th 9:30-10:50 ~ Taliaferro
What is the relationship of the mind, or soul, to the body? Is the mind really distinct from the brain, or are we just complex physical machines? Is there anything about us that cannot in principle be understood scientifically? This course will look at recent and contemporary philosophical attempts to answer those questions and will consider the relation between such philosophical theories of mind and developments in psychology. Students will critically examine approaches such as dualism, behaviorism, mind-brain identity theory, functionalism, eliminative materialism and panpsychism, and will consider whether there may be limits in principle to our capacity to understand the beings that we are. We will also be considering the possible moral and social implications of these theories with respect to questions of free will, and our responsibility for our actions. Philosophy of mind is one of the central topics in contemporary debate with broad implications for ethics, medicine, the practice of psychology, and religion. WRI, HBS-E
233 ~ KIERKEGAARD ~ MWF 11:50-12:45 ~ Marino
An introduction to Kierkegaard's work and existentialism. Special emphasis on the aesthetic, ethical, and religious "stages on life's way" in becoming a self. Examination of existential philosophers and authors with respect to such themes as the meaning of human existence, passion and faith, despair, the absurd, freedom and choice. WRI, HWC
236 ~ MODERN PHILOSOPHY ~ MWF 9:05-10:00 ~ Grenberg
In this course, we will study the development of philosophy from the opening of the 17th century through the dawning of the 19th century, with particular focus on is-sues in epistemology and metaphysics. Figures to be studied include: Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Hume and Kant. WRI, HWC
241A ~ PHILOSOPHICAL THEOLOGY ~ T 11:45-1:10, Th 12:45-2:05 ~ Taliaferro
241B ~ PHILOSOPHICAL THEOLOGY ~ T 1:20-2:45, Th 2:15-3:35 ~ Taliaferro
A philosophical exploration of the Christian faith with attention also given to Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Topics include arguments for and against the existence of God, different conceptions of God's relation to the cosmos, the problem of evil, the relationship between faith and reason, ethics and religion, mysticism, prayer, miracles, the afterlife, the incarnation and Trinity, the nature of religious traditions in history, the Buddhist concept of the self, Hindu views of Brahman, and the relationship between different world religions. WRI, BTS-T
250 ~ BIOMEDICAL ETHICS ~ T 8:00-9:25, Th 8:00-9:20 ~ Gervais
We will examine the main moral theories, principles, and approaches current in Western bioethics and apply them to such issues as the health care professional/patient relationship, research with human subjects, neuroscience, human embryo use in stem cell research, the definition of death, end of life decision-making, euthanasia and physician assisted suicide, justice, rationing and access to health care.
We will distinguish the empirical, metaphysical, conceptual, and normative (i.e., religious, cultural, social, and ethical) dimensions of these issues, seeking to refine our capacities for analysis, reflection, and argument; clarify such concepts as person, autonomy, rights, community, health, life, and death. We will relate philosophical and medical discussions central to religious and theological concerns in the Judeo-Christian tradition and discuss how we can combine firm personal commitments on issues in biomedical ethics with appropriate tolerance and respect for the alternative commitments of other members of our pluralistic society. EIN
251 ~ ASIAN PHILOSOPHY ~ T 11:45-1:10, Th 12:45-2:05 ~ Rambachan
This course surveys the influential philosophical traditions of India and China. Students explore the traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, and Taoism and consider other traditions with which they have interacted. Where appropriate, comparisons are drawn to Western philosophical traditions. WRI, MCS-G
252A ~ ETHICS AND THE GOOD LIFE ~ T 11:45-1:10, Th 12:45-2:05 ~ Manion
This section is designed as an introduction to ethics for philosophy majors.
What is the best kind of life a person can lead? Is acting well, morally speaking, a key component to such a life? And what does it mean to act well, morally speaking? Is there one standard of morality, or more than one? What ought one to do when different moral standards suggest different answers to a particular moral dilemma? What is the relationship between morality and politics? This course attempts to answer such questions by examining the historical, philosophical foundations of Aristotelian virtue theory, Kantian deontological ethics, and utilitarianism, as well as contemporary responses to these moral frameworks. In addition to studying the application of moral theories to contemporary issues such as euthanasia and the death penalty, this course will look at certain metaethical issues such as moral relativism and moral realism. WRI, EIN
252B ~ ETHICS AND THE GOOD LIFE ~ MWF 12:55-1:50 ~ Langerak
What is the good life? Is it the same as the happy life? The fulfilled life? A life of service? The moral life? What is a good person? What are the virtues and principles that inform the moral life? How do they relate to religious values? To political values? How can one have commitments that provide structure and meaning to one's life and still get along with those who flatly disagree? Can one avoid rigid dogmatism without accepting wishy-washy relativism? What are the main normative perspectives in today's ethical debates, where did they come from, and what are their notable strengths and weaknesses? Using philosophical methods such as conceptual analysis, creative thinking, sound argument, coherent development of ideas, and dialectical inquiry, we will integrate historical survey with personal experience and reflection, while applying what we learn to practical ethical issues. Student participation includes discussions, informal written comments, formal papers, and exams. WRI, EIN
256 ~ FRIENDSHIP, LOVE AND THE GOOD LIFE ~ T 9:35-11:00, Th 9:30-10:50 ~ Swain
This course is an introduction to ethics and value theory. Moral issues arising in connection with friendship and love are analyzed from the perspective of various classical and contemporary theories of value. Since loving is itself a form of valuing, value theory is approached by investigating philosophical and theological works concerning the basic types of love: philia (friendly love), eros (erotic love), and agape love. The value of love and friendship and their roles in a good life are also investigated from a variety of normative perspectives. Requirements include a short paper, a philosophical journal, one exam, participation in a panel discussion, and a final position paper.
372 ~ STUDIES: METAPHYSICS ~ T 1:20-2:45, Th 2:15-3:35 ~ Swain
Students examine, through intensive reading and discussion, contemporary approaches to classical issues in metaphysics, which include the mind-body problem, per-sonal identity and immortality, space, time and causality, realism, anti-realism and truth. Specific issues discussed vary from year to year. May be repeated if topics are different. Prerequisites: two courses in philosophy, one of which must be either 235 or 236, or permission of the department chair. Offered every two years. WRI
374 ~ STUDIES: GERMAN IDEALISM ~ MWF 2:00-2:55 ~ Rudd
The period c.1780 through c.1820--the age of Romanticism, of Beethoven, of the French Revolution and Napoleon--was also one of the great revolutionary periods in the history of philosophy. Kant's critical philosophy raised anew the question of how we can combine our sense of ourselves as free, self-determining subjects with our sense of ourselves as parts of a wider natural and social context. This course will start with Kant and go on to look at how his successors--Fichte, Schelling and Hegel--attempted to create systems which would provide a rational reconciliation of freedom and nature; and also at how Romantic thinkers argued that such rational systematic understanding was impossible, and that a unified understanding of ourselves, if possible at all, could only be glimpsed via the intuitions of art or religion. WRI
