An exploration of key issues in the area of medical ethics. Following the consideration of relevant philosophical background, topics to be addressed include patient autonomy and medical paternalism; informed consent; resource allocation and social justice; reproductive technologies and genetic screening; euthanasia and the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment; and the experimental use of human subjects. Prerequisite: one course in philosophy or health studies.

Introduction to the issues and methods of modern linguistics, including morphology, syntax, semantics, phonology and pragmatics. The focus will be on the revolution in linguistics introduced by Noam Chomsky, and the profound questions it raises for human nature, linguistic universals, and language acquisition.

Topics course. This course will survey the unique contributions of American philosophers to the development of the Western philosophical tradition. Pragmatism rejected a number of the basic assumptions of ancient, medieval, and modern philosophy, and has played a leading role in reconfiguring our conceptions of knowledge, truth, beauty, and morality. We will read selections from the founders of pragmatism (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Charles Peirce, William James, John Dewey, George Herbert Mead, Alaine Locke) and from neo-pragmatists (W.V.

Same as PSY 209. An examination of the philosophical issues which have troubled psychology as a science, such as determinism and free will, conscious and unconscious processes, the possibility and efficacy of self-knowledge, behaviorism vs. mentalism, and the relation of mind and brain. Prerequisite: at least one 100-level course in philosophy or psychology.

Intensive practice in writing and discussing philosophy, and in applying philosophical methods to key problems raised in essays written by members of the philosophy department. Required for majors, optional for minors. Normally taken in the sophomore year. Prerequisite: Two college courses in philosophy, one of which may be taken concurrently, or permission of the instructor.

A study of Western philosophy from Bacon through the 18th century, with emphasis on Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and especially Kant. Maximum number of students per section 15.

A study of Western philosophy from Bacon through the 18th century, with emphasis on Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and especially Kant. Maximum number of students per section 15.

A study of Western philosophy from Bacon through the 18th century, with emphasis on Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and especially Kant. Maximum number of students per section 15.

This course asks the big question, "What is the Meaning of Life?" and explores a range of answers offered by philosophers and religious thinkers from a host of different traditions in different eras of human history. We will explore a variety of forms of philosophical and religious thinking and consider the ways in which philosophical and religious thinking can be directly relevant to our own lives.

A scholarly project completed under the supervision of any member of the program. Permission of the instructor required.