The goals of this course are two-fold: to develop and hone students' analytical skills and to look at a number of the central issues in philosophy. Crucial to doing and understanding philosophy is an ability to present, explain, and evaluate arguments; throughout the course we will refine these abilities. By way of an introduction to a number of core philosophical issues we will take an in-depth look at one of the greatest works of philosophy of all time, Descartes's Meditations on First Philosophy.

This course examines various modal logical systems including alethic modal logic, epistemic logic, deontic logic, tense logic, and the logic of propositional attitudes. Emphasis will be on quantification, identity, descriptions, scoped singular terms, and actuality. Prerequisite: PHIL 310, or consent of the instructor.

Metaphysics is sometimes defined as the branch of philosophy that addresses fundamental questions about the nature of reality. In this course we will consider five main topics: (1) causation, (2) freedom and determinism, (3) personal identity, (4) time, and (5) material objects. The aim of the course will be to educate students about some of the main issues, theses, and arguments concerning these topics, so that the students may arrive at their own considered opinions on these matters.

This is a seminar on the metaphysics of free will. In recent years there has been a renewed interest in the idea that agent causation plays a crucial role in solving the problem of freedom and determinism, and some writers have been exploring the possibility of combining agent causation with compatibilism. In this course we will examine some of the recent literature on these and related topics.

The mind-body problem breaks down into two questions: how can mere matter think, and how can it be conscious? We will investigate both of these issues through a critical evaluation of the principal contemporary theories of mind.

A study of contemporary political theories. Topics include the justification of state authority, distributive justice, and communitarian critiques of liberalism.

An introduction to the history of Greek philosophy; emphasis on Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Prerequisite: two courses in Philosophy. (Gen.Ed. HS)

This class will provide an introduction of ethics, and its application to various issues in medicine, health care, and the use of pharmaceuticals. Topics may include: abortion, euthanasia, medical paternalism, medical experimentation, access to drugs, access to medical procedures, and the allocation of medical resources. (Gen. Ed. AT)

This class will provide an introduction of ethics, and its application to various issues in medicine, health care, and the use of pharmaceuticals. Topics may include: abortion, euthanasia, medical paternalism, medical experimentation, access to drugs, access to medical procedures, and the allocation of medical resources. (Gen. Ed. AT)

Not available at this time