printer friendly pagePHIL 45S: Is it always good to 'be yourself'? ' Issues in Ethics and Moral Psychology
It may seem obvious that it is good to 'be yourself, ' to be 'who you really are, ' or to do what you 'really' want to do ' but is it? Some believe that we are our true, or real, selves when we act on our values, what we love, or what we care most about. But if that is true, then is it still good to be yourself when what you value and care most about involves a commitment to acts of terrorism, torturing others, or a life of pain and boredom?nnnWe will look at contemporary philosophical attempts to make sense of the idea of 'being yourself, 'and what the nature of the value of this authenticity is."nnnAuthors include Bratman, Frankfurt, Korsgaard, Millgram and Williams.
Last offered: Summer 2011
PHIL 49: Survey of Formal Methods
Survey of important formal methods used in philosophy. The course covers the basics of propositional and elementary predicate logic, probability and decision theory, game theory, and statistics, highlighting philosophical issues and applications. Specific topics include the languages of propositional and predicate logic and their interpretations, rationality arguments for the probability axioms, Nash equilibrium and dominance reasoning, and the meaning of statistical significance tests. Assessment is through a combination of problem sets and short-answer questions designed to solidify competence with the mathematical tools and to test conceptual understanding. This course replaces
PHIL 50.
Terms: Aut, Win
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-Math, WAY-FR
PHIL 50: Introductory Logic
Propositional and predicate logic; emphasis is on translating English sentences into logical symbols and constructing derivations of valid arguments.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-Math, WAY-FR
PHIL 50S: Truth, Proof and Probability: An Introduction To Philosophical and Logical Reasoning
Under what conditions does a set of true claims guarantee or make probable a particular conclusion? In this course we study rigorous tools and techniques supporting good reasoning, covering topics of particular significance to modern philosophy and logic. Contemporary philosophy continues a traditional focus on foundational problems related to value, inquiry, mind and reality, but with modern subject matter (often engaging natural, social and mathematical science) and rigorous methods, including set theory, probability theory and formal logic. This course introduces such methods, with a focus on core conceptual distinctions, motivations and debates, and basic practical skills. The presentation will be rigorous, but overly technical topics are avoided. Topics: propositional logic; valid argument forms; truth tables; Russell¿s paradox; infinite sets; kinds of truth; possibility and necessity; basic probability theory; subjective versus objective probability; Bayes¿ rule; correlation and causation. No previous philosophical or mathematical training pre-supposed. Appreciation of precise thinking an advantage. Useful preparation for relevant topics in mathematics, computer science, linguistics, economics and statistics.
Last offered: Summer 2015
PHIL 53S: Reasoning with Diagrams
The course covers formal techniques for logical reasoning with both diagrams and sentences. The sentential part covers the same material as a standard course on first-order logic, though in less depth. It includes syntax, semantics and proof theory, but does not include any meta-theory. The diagrammatic part is novel, focusing on techniques for solving reasoning problems using diagrams and sentences in concert. We take seriously the idea that diagrams convey information in the same sense that sentences do and that it is possible to provide forma criteria for logically correct reasoning with diagrams. We use the Hyperproof courseware package which includes desktop software, an online assessment service which allows student to experiment hands-on with the material, and other online resources.
Terms: Sum
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Barker-Plummer, D. (PI)
PHIL 59S: Philosophy of Mathematics
The purpose of this course is to explore some of the themes and questions in philosophy of mathematical practice. These will include: what is the role of mathematics in natural sciences? Can we find an explanation for the applicability of mathematics or is it a completely unreasonable phenomenon? Do mathematicians invent or discover concepts? Either way, how do mathematicians develop new concepts? Is there such thing as mathematical explanation? Are there revolutions in mathematics? These questions are studied in connection to a close historical study of developments in mathematics, and the actual practice of mathematicians.
Last offered: Summer 2015
PHIL 60: Introduction to Philosophy of Science (HPS 60)
The nature of scientific knowledge: evidence and confirmation; scientific explanation; models and theories; objectivity; science, society, and values.
Terms: Aut, Win
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-A-II
Instructors:
Longino, H. (PI)
;
De Toffoli, S. (TA)
PHIL 61: Philosophy and the Scientific Revolution (HPS 61)
Galileo's defense of the Copernican world-system that initiated the scientific revolution of the 17th century, led to conflict between science and religion, and influenced the development of modern philosophy. Readings focus on Galileo and Descartes.
Terms: Win
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum
Instructors:
Friedman, M. (PI)
PHIL 61S: A Meaningful Life in a Physical World
Questions about the meaning of life have occupied a central place in philosophical thought throughout its history. However, the scientific view of human beings as essentially complex, evolutionarily-designed biological systems in a purely material world (one governed by fundamental physical laws) seemingly puts pressure on the idea that humans can live a life of genuine meaningfulness. The guiding questions of this course will be: Is there the prospect of our living truly meaningful lives even if we are just complex biological systems? If so, what kind(s) of meaning can we hope to achieve? If not, how should we live our lives? In exploring these questions, we will read works by philosophers (and psychologists) approaching these questions from many different traditions and perspectives. Possible authors will include Plato, Hobbes, Rousseau, Nietzsche, Sartre, Camus, Sigmund Freud, Viktor Frankl, Bertrand Russell, John Searle, Owen Flanagan, Daniel Dennett, and Ruth Millikan.
Last offered: Summer 2012
PHIL 63S: Introduction to Bioethics
In this course we will explore ethical questions that arise in health care and the biological sciences. We will consider the following issues (perhaps together with others): allocation of health-care resources, the responsibilities of doctors to patients, the distinction between killing someone and letting them die, medically-assisted suicide, abortion, and the use of technologies for genetic screening and manipulation. Throughout, our focus will be on moral questions about how decisions in these areas should be made.
Last offered: Summer 2014
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