PHILOSOPHY (PHIL)

Professors: Griffith (Chairperson), Whelan

Assistant Professor: Herring

Part-time Instructor: Chappen

The study of philosophy develops a critical understanding of the basic concepts and presuppositions around which we organize our thought in morality, law, religion, science, education, the arts and other human endeavors. 

A major in philosophy, together with other appropriate courses, can provide an excellent preparation for policy-making positions of many kinds, for graduate study in several fields, and for careers in education, law, and the ministry.

The major in philosophy requires eight courses, including PHIL 223, 224, 225, 440, and at least three others numbered 300 or above. PHIL 340 can be counted toward the major only once except with departmental approval. With permission of the department, PHIL 105 and an additional 300-level course may be substituted for PHIL 225. Majors who demonstrate strong competence on a departmental logic test may substitute an additional 300-level course for PHIL 225.

The following courses, when scheduled as W courses, count toward the writing intensive requirement: PHIL 216, 217, 218, 219, 301, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 340.

Students interested in teacher certification should refer to the Department of Education on page 133.

Minors

The Philosophy Department offers four minors: (1) Philosophy—any four philosophy courses numbered 220 or above, or any five philosophy courses that include three numbered 220 or above. (2) Philosophy and Law—four courses from PHIL 224, 225, 334, 335, 336, 337, 340, and independent studies. (3) Philosophy & Science—four courses form PHIL 223, 225, 333, 340, and independent studies. (4) Ethics—four courses from PHIL 224, 335, 336, 340, and independent studies; one of these may be replaced by two from 114, 115, 216, 219. Since topics in PHIL 340 and independent studies vary, these courses may count toward a minor only if they are approved by the department.  

105

PRINCIPLES OF CRITICAL THINKING

An introduction to the elements of critical thinking centered on developing the skills necessary to recognize, describe, and evaluate arguments. Not open to juniors and seniors except with consent of instructor.

114

PHILOSOPHY AND PERSONAL CHOICE

An introductory philosophical examination of a number of contemporary moral issues which call for personal decision. Topics often investigated include: the “good” life, obligation to others, sexual ethics, abortion, suicide and death, violence and pacifism, obedience to the law, the relevance of personal beliefs to morality. Discussion centers on some of the suggestions philosophers have made about how to make such decisions. Not open to juniors and seniors except with consent of instructor.  

115

PHILOSOPHY AND PUBLIC POLICY

An introductory philosophical examination of the moral and conceptual dimensions of various contemporary public issues, such as the relation of ethics to politics and the law, the enforcement of morals, the problems of fair distribution of goods and opportunities, the legitimacy of restricting the use of natural resources, and the application of ethics to business practice. Discussion centers on some of the suggestions philosophers have made about how to deal with these issues. Not open to juniors and seniors except with consent of instructor.  

140

CENTRAL PROBLEMS IN PHILOSOPHY

A study of several central philosophical problems, such as the problem of free will and determinism, the relationship between mind and body, the nature and limits of human knowledge, arguments about the existence of God, and the problem of personal identity. Not open to juniors and seniors except with consent of instructor.  

215

PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUES IN COMMUNICATION

An introduction to the foundations of communication. Theories of truth and meaning are illustrated by means of practical examples, with special attention given to the issue of objectivity and bias in communication.  

216

PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUES IN BUSINESS

A systematic and philosophically informed consideration of some typical moral problems faced by individuals in a business setting, and a philosophical examination of some common moral criticisms of the American business system.  

217

PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUES IN EDUCATION

An examination of the basic concepts involved in thought about education, and a consideration of the various methods for justifying educational proposals. Typical of the issues discussed are: Are education and indoctrination different? What is a liberal education? Are education and schooling compatible? What do we need to learn? Alternate years.  

218

PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

A philosophical examination of some important controversies which arise in connection with the American criminal justice system. Typically included are controversies about the nature and purpose of punishment, the proper basis for sentencing, the correct understanding of criminal responsibility, and the rationale and extent of our basic human rights with respect to the criminal law.  

219

PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUES IN HEALTH CARE

An investigation of some of the philosophical issues which arise in therapy and in health research and planning. Topics typically include euthanasia, confidentiality, informed consent, behavior control, experimentation on humans and animals, abortion, genetic engineering, population control, and distribution of health care resources.  

223

HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND METAPHYSICS

An historical survey of the attempt to understand the physical universe. Particular attention is paid to common origins of philosophy and science in the works of the ancient Greek philosophers, to the question of how scientific and philosophical thinking differs from mythological and technological thinking, to the rationalism-empiricism dispute in science and metaphysics, and to the interaction between philosophy and science in formulating fundamental questions about the physical universe and in developing and criticizing concepts designed to answer them.  

224

HISTORY OF SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

An historical survey of the most important social and political philosophers from Socrates to Marx. Special attention is paid to the relationship between ethics and politics as seen by Plato and Aristotle and to the social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.  

225

SYMBOLIC LOGIC

A study of modern symbolic logic and its application to the analysis of arguments. Included are truth-functional relations, the logic of propositional functions, and deductive systems. Attention is also given to various topics in the philosophy of logic. Alternate years.  

301

ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHY

A critical examination of the ancient Greek philosophers, with particular emphasis on Plato and Aristotle. Prerequisite: Students without previous study in philosophy must have consent of instructor. Alternate years.  

332

PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

A philosophical examination of religion. Included are such topics as the nature of religious discourse, arguments for and against the existence of God, and the relation between religion and science. Readings from classical and contemporary sources. Prerequisite: Students without previous study in philosophy must have consent of instructor. Alternate years.

333

PHILOSOPHY OF NATURAL SCIENCE

A consideration of philosophically important conceptual problems arising from reflection about natural science, including such topics as the nature of scientific laws and theories, the character of explanation, the importance of prediction, the existence of “non-observable” theoretical entities such as electrons and genes, the problem of justifying induction, and various puzzles associated with probability. Prerequisite: Students without previous study in philosophy must have consent of instructor. Alternate years.  

334

CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

A close reading of four or five defining works of contemporary political philosophy, beginning with the work of John Rawls. Prerequisite: Students without previous study in philosophy must have consent of instructor. Alternate years.  

335

ETHICAL THEORY

An inquiry about the grounds for distinguishing morally right from morally wrong actions. Central to this course is critical consideration of important theories, such as relativism, utilitarianism, and subjectivism, as well as historically important theorists, such as Aristotle, Mill, and Kant. Prerequisite: Students without previous study in philosophy must have consent of instructor. Alternate years.  

336

CONTEMPORARY MORAL PHILOSOPHY

A close reading of four or five centrally important works of contemporary moral philosophy. Prerequisite: Students without previous study in philosophy must have consent of instructor. Alternate years.  

337

PHILOSOPHY OF LAW

An introduction to the philosophy of law using both classical and contemporary sources. General theories concerning the nature of law, as well as philosophical issues which arise primarily within a legal context, will be discussed. Prerequisite: Students without previous study in philosophy must have consent of instructor. Alternate years.  

340

SPECIAL TOPICS

Study of selected philosophical problems, texts, writers, or movements. Recent topics include ethical obligations to animals, lying and lawbreaking, environmental ethics, research on human subjects, and artificial intelligence. Students without previous study in philosophy must have consent of instructor. With consent of the instructor, this course may be repeated for credit.  

440

PHILOSOPHICAL RESEARCH AND WRITING

In-depth instruction in both the independent and the cooperative aspects of philosophical research and writing. Each student undertakes an approved research project and produces a substantial philosophical paper. Open only to, and required of, senior philosophy majors.  

470-479

INTERNSHIP (See index)  

N80-N89

INDEPENDENT STUDY (See index)

Recent independent studies in philosophy include Nietzsche, moral education, Rawls’ theory of justice, existentialism, euthanasia, Plato’s ethics, and philosophical aesthetics.

490-491

INDEPENDENT STUDY FOR DEPARTMENTAL HONORS (See index)