printer friendly pagePHIL 2: Introduction to Moral Philosophy (ETHICSOC 20)
In this course we will examine the main theories in the Western tradition that purport to explain what sorts of behavior are right and wrong, and why, as well as certain kinds of skepticism about morality. We will consider, among other things, whether or not there are moral truths, and if so whether those truths are absolute or relative, objective or subjective, and where such truths come from -- be it divine commands, our own agency, the need to live in society with others, simple brute facts, etc.
Terms: Aut, Spr
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: WAY-ER, GER:EC-EthicReas, GER:DB-Hum, WAY-A-II
Instructors:
Madigan, T. (PI)
;
Dowling, G. (TA)
;
Erhardt, R. (TA)
...
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Instructors:
Madigan, T. (PI)
;
Dowling, G. (TA)
;
Erhardt, R. (TA)
;
Luo, A. (TA)
;
McGuthry, M. (TA)
;
Van Steertegem, C. (TA)
PHIL 6SI: Student Initiated Course: Agent-Based Modeling
This is a two unit, student initiated course. Scientific practice is a complex process. Recently, philosophers of science and social epistemologists have attempted to shed light on various questions about scientific practice through computer simulations/questions such as: What is the nature of scientific progress, and in what ways is progress influenced by psychological, social and economic factors? What is the effect of diversity on the behavior of scientific communities? How can we reduce academic fraud, increase research output, and improve scientific practice? This course will introduce students to the use of agent-based modeling (ABM) as a tool to answer such questions. The course will take the form of a tutorial introducing Netlogo, a standard tool for creating agent-based models. Proficiency in Netlogo will allow students to create models of their own. Students will also read and discuss selected works in recent computational philosophy of science.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 1-2
Instructors:
Lawlor, K. (PI)
PHIL 15N: Frosh Seminar
Preference to Freshmen.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
PHIL 24E: The Male Gaze in Cinema: Perspectives from Feminist Philosophy
Tutorial taught by grad student. Enrollment limited to 10. Since the 1970s, feminist theorists of cinema have critically discussed the "male gaze" as a persistent feature of Western visual culture. The male gaze presents images of women as objects to be looked at, rather than subjects directly engaging with the world. Under this mode of presentation, a woman becomes, in John Berger¿s words, "an object of vision", the vision of a real or imagined man. In this tutorial, we will explore the philosophical claims made by theorists of the male gaze and other dominant "gazes" through engaging with feminist, queer, and post-colonial philosophy and film theory. In addition, we will watch and discuss four films that feature, subvert, or otherwise engage with the concept of the "dominant gaze". We will utilize both philosophical analysis and the close reading of formal cinematic features to explore how the male gaze both reflects the patriarchal values of our society as well as how it actively influences women and gender minorities view of themselves.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 2
Instructors:
Benossi, L. (PI)
;
Jaarte, M. (PI)
PHIL 24H: Tutorial: Philosophy of Large Language Models
Tutorial taught by grad student. Enrollment limited to 10. By permission of instructor. Large Language Models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm, and their successes (and failures) raise many interesting philosophical questions. Are LLMs' outputs meaningful? Do they genuinely understand language? Do they have world models? Does it make sense to attribute folk-psychological states to them, such as beliefs and desires? Could an LLM be conscious? Could a system built on an LLM matter morally? In this course, we'll discuss these questions and more.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 2
Instructors:
Harding, J. (PI)
PHIL 60: Introduction to Philosophy of Science (HPS 60)
This course introduces students to tools for the philosophical analysis of science. We will cover issues in observation, experiment, and reasoning, questions about the aims of science, scientific change, and the relations between science and values.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: WAY-A-II, GER:DB-Hum
PHIL 80: Mind, Matter, and Meaning
Intensive study of central topics in metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of language and mind in preparation for advanced courses in philosophy. Emphasis on development of analytical writing skills. This iteration of Philosophy 80 will focus on three important philosophical issues: personal identity; the metaphysics of mind; and the nature of belief and related attitudes. Readings will be drawn both from philosophy and from cognitive science more broadly. Prerequisite: at least one other philosophy course, not including
SYMSYS 1 /
PHIL 99.
Terms: Aut, Spr
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-A-II
Instructors:
Peacocke, A. (PI)
;
Teitel, T. (PI)
;
Bennett, S. (TA)
...
more instructors for PHIL 80 »
Instructors:
Peacocke, A. (PI)
;
Teitel, T. (PI)
;
Bennett, S. (TA)
;
Jordan, S. (TA)
;
Konstantinou, K. (TA)
PHIL 100: The History of Ancient Greek Philosophy (CLASSICS 40)
We shall cover the major developments in Greek philosophical thought, focusing on Plato, Aristotle, and the Hellenistic schools (the Epicureans, the Stoics, and the Skeptics). Topics include epistemology, metaphysics, psychology, ethics and political theory. No prereqs, not repeatable.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: WAY-A-II, GER:DB-Hum
PHIL 109A: Special Topics in Ancient Philosophy: Logic and Metaphysics in Ancient Greek Philosophy (PHIL 209A)
We will consider the interplay between the development and use of logical methods and their deployment in the investigation of foundational problems about the structure of reality.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| Repeatable
3 times
(up to 12 units total)
Instructors:
Code, A. (PI)
PHIL 150: Mathematical Logic (PHIL 250)
An introduction to the concepts and techniques used in mathematical logic, focusing on propositional, modal, and predicate logic. Highlights connections with philosophy, mathematics, computer science, linguistics, and neighboring fields.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-Math, WAY-FR
Instructors:
Bassett, R. (PI)
;
Apsel, L. (TA)
;
Bible, M. (TA)
;
Forster, M. (TA)
;
Lawrence, P. (TA)
;
Tilton, S. (TA)
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