Course Descriptions
Interim 2008

120 Philosophy in Literature ALS-L, WRI
M-F 10:40-12:40
Anthony Rudd
(See catalog for description)

147 Death and the Meaning of Life
M-F 8:00-10:00
Karen Gervais
An introduction to philosophical ideas and methods through reading, discussing, and writing about some basic questions that arise when we reflect on the human condition.  What is meant by "meaning" when one asks whether (a person's) life has meaning?  How do our beliefs about human nature, religion, and morality affect how we ask or answer the question? What is the role of work and vocation in living a meaningful life? How does the fact that we inevitably will die or that our universe eventually will disappear affect one's outlook?  We will analyze classical and contemporary writings--philosophical and autobiographical--to develop clearer, more informed, and better reasoned views about the questions, if not the answers. Since some important conflicts are likely to arise, we will discuss the ethics of compromise and the difficulties of living a principled and committed life in a pluralistic society that requires appropriate toleration and even respect for views with which one disagrees.

246Space and Time: Philosophical and Scientific Perspectives
M-F 1:00-3:00
Geoffrey Gorham
In this class we will explore fundamental questions about the nature of space and time that are of common interest to philosophers and scientists. For example, the question whether space or time have a beginning is of shared concern to the metaphysician, the physicist, and the theologian. We will see that these different perspectives have exerted significant influence upon one another and that the concepts of space and time have undergone dramatic transformation from ancient thought to modern relativistic physics. In this way, the problems of space and time are not only fascinating in their own right; they also shed important light on the historical relationships among major areas of human inquiry.

Issues that will be of particular concern in this class are:
Do space and time exist independently of minds and bodies?
Could there be other times or spaces?
Could space and time have boundaries?
Are all points in time equally real?
Could space have more than three dimensions?
In what sense can time slow down and space bend?
Why does time, but not space, have an intrinsic direction?
Can we regard objects as four-dimensional space-time ‘worms’ with both spatial and temporal parts?
Are all things in space and time? Is God in space and time?
Can we travel in time? Are the past and future fully determined?

260 Kant’s Moral Theory in Literature and Film
M-F 10:40-12:40
Jeanine Grenberg
In this course, we will study the moral theory of Immanuel Kant by reading his texts and understanding the expression of their ideas in literature and film.  We will also clarify Kant's moral theory via comparison of his theory to other moral theories, especially utilitarianism and virtue theory.  The overall purpose of the course is to help students to understand and apply moral theories generally, and Kant's theory in particular, to particular moral situations.

 

Spring 2008

118A Making the Modern Mind HWC
T 9:35-11:00, Th 9:30-10:50
Geoffrey Gorham
118B T 1:20-2:45, Th 2:15-3:35
Geoffrey Gorham
In this class we will explore the various ways in which the great philosophers have tackled fundamental problems of human existence, including: Knowledge and Reality (What can I know? What is fundamentally real?), Mind and Body (Is the mind distinct from the body? Is the soul immortal?), God and Faith (Does God exist? If God exists, why is there evil? Faith vs. Reason), The State (What is the proper role of the government?), Freedom of the Will (Is freedom compatible with determinism? Can I be free if God knows my future?), Personal Identity (What is a person? When do persons begin and cease to exist?), Beauty and Art (What is the purpose of Art?; Are there objective standards of beauty?), and Morality (How do I decide what is right? What is the moral status of abortion, war, animals, capital punishment, etc.)
With respect to each of the problems discussed, we will attempt to identify and analyze trends of historical development that take us from the beginnings of western philosophy in the sixth century BC to the so-called 'postmodern condition' of contemporary thought. In addition to the various 'big questions', we will also occasionally pause to puzzle over some specific philosophical paradoxes, such as time travel, Zeno's paradoxes, fictional objects, actual infinities, alternate universes, etc. Along with their inherent interest, these paradoxes often have important implications for broader philosophical issues.
Class meetings will normally begin with a brief lecture based on the assigned reading, followed by general discussion. Grades will be based on 4 brief (4-page) papers, two examinations, and attendance/participation.

119A Moral Psychology HBS
MWF 8:00-8:55
Jeanine Grenberg
119B MWF 9:05-10:00
Jeanine Grenberg
This course provides an introduction to the discipline of philosophy and philosophical method by focusing on how philosophers, as compared with psychologists, approach the study of moral states of character.  A variety of moral states of character will be presented and analyzed from both philosophical and psychological perspectives, including some of the following: respect, self-respect, humility, courage, beneficence, and forgiveness.

231 Philosophy of Mind HBS
MWF 2:00-2:55
Anthony Rudd
(See catalog for description)

233 Kierkegaard HWC
MWF 12:55-1:50
Gordon Marino
An introduction to Kierkegaard’s work and existentialism with special emphasis on the aesthetic, ethical, and religious “stages on life’s way” and 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.

236 Modern Philosophy HWC, WRI
MWF 11:50-12:45
Jeanine 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 issues in epistemology and metaphysics.  Figures to be studied include:  Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Hume and Kant.

240 Formal Logic & Philosophy
MWF 10:45-11:40
Vicki Harper
Doing proofs can be a lot of fun, but you have to keep up with the assignments. The formal work is cumulative and later assignments build upon the earlier ones. (See catalog for description)

245 Philosophy and Feminism MCS-D
T 9:35-11:00, Th 9:30-10:50
Jennifer Manion
This course investigates seminal developments in contemporary feminist theory and feminist philosophy. We will begin, however, by examining the way by which the Western philosophical cannon has traditionally conceived of women and “the feminine.” We will then explore the varieties of feminist theories, the ways by which each relates to long-standing issues in philosophy, and how feminism has impacted sub-disciplines in philosophy. Finally, we will read and discuss recent feminist work addressing identity, agency, and the body.

250 Biomedical Ethics EIN
MWF 8:00-8:55
Karen 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.

252 Ethics and the Good Life EIN, WRI
T 11:45-1:10, Th 12:45-2:05
Anthony Rudd
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.

256A Friendship, Love, and the Good Life EIN
T 9:35-11:00, Th 9:30-10:50
Corliss Swain
256B T 1:20-2:45, Th 2:15-3:35
Corliss Swain
This course analyzes moral issues arising in connection with friendship and love, examining them from the perspective of various classical and contemporary theories of value. Since loving is itself a form of valuing, the possible sources of values are examined 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 well lived life are part of this investigation. Requirements include regular participation in class discussions, a course journal, two take-home essay exams (mid-term and final), and participation in a panel discussion.

257A Environmental Ethics EIN
MWF 10:45-11:40
Charles Taliaferro
257B MWF 12:55-1:50
Charles Taliaferro
(See catalog for description)

373 Ethics/Value: Ethics and Theory of Value EIN, WRI
MWF 2:00-2:55
Edward Langerak
We will begin by discussing the challenges to traditional ethical theory raised in Alisdair MacIntyre’s seminal book, After Virtue, (we will use the newly published 3rd edition), including his claim that the Enlightenment project not only failed, it had to fail.  We will then look at Rawls’s Political Liberalism, in which he reacts to criticisms of A Theory of Justice and argues for a version of liberalism that is responsive to some of MacIntyre’s worries.  We will also consider current contributions to the debate,  such as those of Richard Rorty, Martha Nussbaum, Michael Sandel, William Galston, Susan Okin, Jeffery Stout, and Chris Eberle.  The debate over political liberalism involves discussion about combining personal integrity with the tolerance required in a diverse society: Can we disagree about (our theories of) the good, and still reach consensus on the right?  Can we flatly contradict each other on what makes life meaningful and still agree on basic justice?  Participants in the seminar will explain and critique, in class presentations and term papers, current ethical thinkers or movements that engage this debate, making use of at least one of the many important recent works that combine analysis of current issues with some attention to the historical factors influencing the contemporary debates. A list of books and topics appropriate for a project is provided, but students are also encouraged to suggest their own.  In short, we will take seriously one of the strongest and most influential challenges to the possibility of developing a reasonable public ethic in a pluralistic world, then discuss the most important effort to do precisely that, and then listen to the critiques and alternatives that are of greatest interest to seminar participants. This seminar will assume familiarity with ethical theory; participants who have not had a middle level course in ethics should contact the instructor to discuss texts they should read in preparation for the seminar.

399 Seminar: Readings in Continental Philosophy WRI
MWF 9:05-10:00
Gordon Marino
This seminar will deal with advanced topics in Continental Philosophy and will involve close readings of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Levinas. Two of the texts that we will focus on are Kierkegaard's Concluding Unscientific Postscript and Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil.