Fall Term Schedule : Undergraduate Program : Department of Philosophy : 91��̳

Undergraduate Program

Fall Term Schedule

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Fall 2025

Number	Title	Instructor	Time
PHIL 1000-1 Teaching Assistantship Paul Audi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Graduate teaching assistantship in Philosophy. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 1001-1 Research Assistantship Paul Audi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Graduate research assistantship in Philosophy. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 101-01 Introduction to Philosophy Dante Dauksz TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM
Philosophers ask questions about a vast variety of topics, including what really exists, what we can know, how we should live, how we should treat each other, whether there is a God or a life after this one, how can we have free choices, and what it means to be a human with a particular identity. Philosophers seek answers to such questions by thinking carefully about them, using experience, reason and argumentation, and taking into account contributions of the sciences, literature, and other fields. This course will introduce students to some of the most interesting and exciting parts of philosophy. Location (TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM)
PHIL 101-03 Introduction to Philosophy Ur Staff MW 2:00PM - 3:15PM
Philosophers ask questions about a vast variety of topics, including what really exists, what we can know, how we should live, how we should treat each other, whether there is a God or a life after this one, how can we have free choices, and what it means to be a human with a particular identity. Philosophers seek answers to such questions by thinking carefully about them, using experience, reason and argumentation, and taking into account contributions of the sciences, literature, and other fields. This course will introduce students to some of the most interesting and exciting parts of philosophy. Location (MW 2:00PM - 3:15PM)
PHIL 102-01 Ethics Dante Dauksz TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM
Leading theories of right and wrong, good and evil, and related matters such as the functions of ethical language and the reality or unreality of moral knowledge. Location (TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM)
PHIL 103-1 Contemporary Moral Problems William FitzPatrick TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM
An introduction to moral philosophy as applied to current topics. Some questions to be explored: What sorts of socioeconomic principles are morally justifiable? Does the history of racial injustice in the U.S. create a moral demand for reparations, and if so, what is the best argument for this? What is the relation, if any, between morality and religion? Do animals have moral rights? How should we understand the meaning and value of human life and death? Can abortion sometimes be justified, and if so, how? Is it okay to destroy embryos for stem cell research? Is active euthanasia ever permissible? Is capital punishment justifiable in principle? In practice? Is torture morally permissible in the fight against terrorism? How far does our moral duty to aid distant strangers extend? We will also explore related general questions: Is it always possible for a good enough end to justify bad means? Are there objective facts about right or wrong, or is morality ultimately relative to cultures or times? Are there situations in which every available action is wrong? Can we be morally assessed even for some things that are largely a matter of luck? Location (TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM)
PHIL 105-01 Reason and Argument Zeynep Soysal MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM
Methods of identifying, interpreting, reconstructing, and evaluating reasoning found in speeches, essays, editorials, magazine articles, and scientific reports. Analytical methods mastered in this course do not include those of formal symbolic logic. Location (MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM)
PHIL 110-01 Introductory Logic Mark Povich MW 3:25PM - 4:40PM
Logic is the study of valid forms of argument. This course is an introduction to symbolic logic, a modern theory of logic that involves the construction of an artificial symbolic language within which the logical forms of sentences can be expressed and the validity of arguments can be proven. Students will learn two logical systems, Sentence Logic and Predicate Logic. In addition to translating English arguments into symbolic form, and constructing interpretations to demonstrate the invalidity of arguments, students will also learn how to prove that an argument is valid using a set of rigorously defined implication rules for each logical system. Location (MW 3:25PM - 4:40PM)
PHIL 199-01 The Infinite Steven Gonek R 9:40AM - 12:10PM
In this interdisciplinary seminar course we will try to understand "the infinite", one of the most fascinating and elusive concepts in human culture. It plays a vital role in biblical thought, ancient Greek philosophy and mysticism, scholastic theology, nineteenth century romantic literature, ancient and modern mathematics, and physics. A small sample of the questions we will explore are: 1) How is it possible to even think about the infinite? 2) What does it mean for God to be infinite? 3) The infinite or the finite, which is better, and why has the answer differed in different cultures? Readings will be from numerous sources, including Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, Aquinas, Nicholas of Cusa, Newton, Berkeley, Wordsworth, Cantor, and Borges, as time permits. Location (R 9:40AM - 12:10PM)
PHIL 202-01 History of Modern Philosophy Alison Peterman MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM
Often regarded as generating many of our contemporary philosophical questions and resources, the philosophy of 17th and 18th century Europe was shaped by the new science of Galileo, Descartes and Newton, geopolitical developments like the Thirty Years War and exploration and colonization of non-European places, and debates about religious and political freedom and toleration. Readings from among Montaigne, Descartes, Cavendish, Leibniz, Conway, Spinoza, Newton, Du Chatelet, Berkeley and Hume on methodology, motion, space and time, causality, perception, the mind-body problem, toleration and knowledge. Location (MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM)
PHIL 212-01 Probability, Inference and Decision Rush Stewart MW 2:00PM - 3:15PM
This course aims to give students familiarity with some of the basic mathematical concepts and tools used in decision theory as well as an appreciation of some of the main philosophical issues at stake. We will cover theories of rational decision making both for individual agents and for groups. Location (MW 2:00PM - 3:15PM)
PHIL 223-1 Social & Political Philosophy Rosa Terlazzo MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM
PREREQUISITE: At least one prior course in Philosophy We do social and political philosophy to better understand how our social and political communities should be structured. We’ll use both classic and contemporary works of political philosophy to explore how we might best balance two aims of political community: Freedom and Equality. While both of these aims are central to a just society, they also seem to be in deep tension with one another. Location (MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM)
PHIL 223W-1 Social & Political Philosophy Rosa Terlazzo MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM
PREREQUISITE: At least one prior course in Philosophy We do social and political philosophy to better understand how our social and political communities should be structured. We’ll use both classic and contemporary works of political philosophy to explore how we might best balance two aims of political community: Freedom and Equality. While both of these aims are central to a just society, they also seem to be in deep tension with one another. Location (MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM)
PHIL 228-01 Public Health Ethics Richard Dees TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM
[Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy] Most health care ethics focuses on the individual decisions about health care, but many ethical questions have implications for society at large. The demands that individual health decisions make on the system may create collective problems, and conversely, the needs of society may limit the freedoms that individuals think they should have. Public health ethics then, lie at the intersection of medicine, political philosophy, and public policy. This course will examine the values of health, social needs, and freedom through a systematic examination of situations in which these conflicts arise. Location (TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM)
PHIL 228W-01 Public Health Ethics Richard Dees TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM
[Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy] Most health care ethics focuses on the individual decisions about health care, but many ethical questions have implications for society at large. The demands that individual health decisions make on the system may create collective problems, and conversely, the needs of society may limit the freedoms that individuals think they should have. Public health ethics then, lie at the intersection of medicine, political philosophy, and public policy. This course will examine the values of health, social needs, and freedom through a systematic examination of situations in which these conflicts arise. Location (TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM)
PHIL 230-01 Environmental Justice Randall Curren TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM
Environmental justice and sustainability, both domestic and global, bringing philosophical and systems analysis to bear on environmental degradation, transparency and governance, climate change, the ethics of consumption and development, responsibility to future generations. Location (TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM)
PHIL 230W-01 Environmental Justice Randall Curren TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM
Environmental justice and sustainability, both domestic and global, bringing philosophical and systems analysis to bear on environmental degradation, transparency and governance, climate change, the ethics of consumption and development, responsibility to future generations. Fulfills upper level writing requirement for the major. Location (TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM)
PHIL 241-01 Aesthetics Robert Doran TR 4:50PM - 6:05PM
Studies the history of “aesthetic” thought—namely the philosophical reflection on the concepts of beauty, taste, and sublimity, on our affective response to art and nature, and on the role of art and the artist in society—from Plato to Nietzsche, with particular emphasis on how aesthetics relates to questions of epistemology, anthropology, ethics, ontology, and politics. The concepts of mimesis and the sublime will be given special attention. Authors studied include Plato, Aristotle, Horace, Longinus, Boileau, Batteux, Burke, Hume, Rousseau, Kant, Nietzsche. Conducted in English. Location (TR 4:50PM - 6:05PM)
PHIL 242-01 Metaphysics Yanssel Garcia TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM
[Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy] No prior courses in science required. Investigates topics in contemporary metaphysics, including questions about the existence and persistence conditions of abstract and material objects; the nature of space and time; the possibility of time travel; the status of quantum mechanics. Location (TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM)
PHIL 242W-01 Metaphysics Yanssel Garcia TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM
[Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy] No prior courses in science required. Investigates topics in contemporary metaphysics, including questions about the existence and persistence conditions of abstract and material objects; the nature of space and time; the possibility of time travel; the status of quantum mechanics. Location (TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM)
PHIL 243-1 Theory of Knowledge Earl Conee TR 4:50PM - 6:05PM
The course addresses major questions in epistemology, using recent philosophical readings. The questions include: What is knowledge? Do context or practical concerns affect what we know? Do we really know anything about the world around us? What makes a belief justified? When is disagreement rational? Location (TR 4:50PM - 6:05PM)
PHIL 243W-1 Theory of Knowledge Earl Conee TR 4:50PM - 6:05PM
The course addresses major questions in epistemology, using recent philosophical readings. The questions include: What is knowledge? Do context or practical concerns affect what we know? Do we really know anything about the world around us? What makes a belief justified? When is disagreement rational? Location (TR 4:50PM - 6:05PM)
PHIL 247-1 Philosophy of Language Jens Kipper TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM
The goal of the course is to examine a number of central philosophical problems about language (including the nature of linguistic meaning and its relation to truth, reference, communication, and necessity), while exploring the connections between these problems and issues in and about philosophy more generally. Location (TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM)
PHIL 247W-1 Philosophy of Language Jens Kipper TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM
The goal of the course is to examine a number of central philosophical problems about language (including the nature of linguistic meaning and its relation to truth, reference, communication, and necessity), while exploring the connections between these problems and issues in and about philosophy more generally. Location (TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM)
PHIL 257-01 Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence Jens Kipper TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM
Many people believe that very soon, artificial intelligence is going to be everywhere. Artificial systems will steer cars, ships, and planes, care for the sick, fight fires and fight wars for us, organize our schedules, order our food, etc. But what exactly is an artificial intelligence? And can there be artificial systems that truly think, or feel? In this course, we will address questions like these from a philosophical perspective. In doing so, we will encounter some of the most fundamental issues in the philosophy of mind‹for example, what are thoughts and feelings, and how might they relate to physical states of our brains, or to computational states? We will then examine how artificial systems, such as artificial neural networks, function, and discuss what they might teach us about the mind in general and about human minds in particular. Finally, we will consider the consequences that the development and application of artificial intelligence might have for humanity. PREREQUISITE: At least one prior course in Philosophy Location (TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM)
PHIL 257W-01 Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence Jens Kipper TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM
Many people believe that very soon, artificial intelligence is going to be everywhere. Artificial systems will steer cars, ships, and planes, care for the sick, fight fires and fight wars for us, organize our schedules, order our food, etc. But what exactly is an artificial intelligence? And can there be artificial systems that truly think, or feel? In this course, we will address questions like these from a philosophical perspective. In doing so, we will encounter some of the most fundamental issues in the philosophy of mind‹for example, what are thoughts and feelings, and how might they relate to physical states of our brains, or to computational states? We will then examine how artificial systems, such as artificial neural networks, function, and discuss what they might teach us about the mind in general and about human minds in particular. Finally, we will consider the consequences that the development and application of artificial intelligence might have for humanity. PREREQUISITE: At least one prior course in Philosophy Location (TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM)
PHIL 265-03 Select Topics in Ancient Philosophy Randall Curren T 2:00PM - 4:40PM
Foundations of Ancient Greek philosophy from Presocratic to Hellenistic periods. Covers ancient Greek ethics, metaphysics and epistemology, philosophy of mind. Special attention to Plato and Aristotle. Location (T 2:00PM - 4:40PM)
PHIL 265W-03 Select Topics in Ancient Philosophy Randall Curren T 2:00PM - 4:40PM
Foundations of Ancient Greek philosophy from Presocratic to Hellenistic periods. Covers ancient Greek ethics, metaphysics and epistemology, philosophy of mind. Special attention to Plato and Aristotle. Fulfills upper level writing requirement for the major. Location (T 2:00PM - 4:40PM)
PHIL 391-1 Independent Study – 7:00PM - 7:00PM
The reading of philosophical literature under guidance, for seniors majoring in philosophy. Registration for Independent Study courses needs to be completed through the Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 392-1 Practicum Paul Audi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
In consultation with the thesis adviser, the student will assemble a list of relevant texts in the area of thesis research and read through the materials, meeting regularly with the adviser throughout the semester to discuss the texts and to hone the thesis topic and plan. Registration for Independent Study courses needs to be completed thru the . Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 395-1 Independent Research – 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Students with philosophy concentration or minor pursue 1:1 guided research proj. under direction of a full-time Phil Dept. faculty sponsor. With a paper written for another course, student seeks sponsor w/relevant expertise. Student will develop the paper through research, analysis, and refinement of thesis and argument, to present to Phil. Council or Department. Submission for publication in an undergraduate philosophy journal and conference presentation is encouraged. Registration for Independent Study courses needs to be completed thru the . Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 396-02 Honors Tutorial Alison Peterman 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Those wishing to pursue an Honors thesis track must first confirm with the Undergraduate Adviser that they meet the eligibility requirements, discuss how the other Honors requirements will be met, and secure the agreement of a Philosophy faculty member to serve as the thesis adviser. Then, in consultation with the thesis adviser (typically at the end of junior year), they will assemble a list of relevant texts in the area of thesis research and begin reading through the materials in the summer before senior year. In fall of senior year, they will enroll in PHIL 396, for which they will meet regularly with the adviser throughout the semester to discuss the texts and to hone the thesis topic and outline. Registration for Independent Study courses needs to be completed through the Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 396-04 Honors Tutorial Jens Kipper 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Those wishing to pursue an Honors thesis track must first confirm with the Undergraduate Adviser that they meet the eligibility requirements, discuss how the other Honors requirements will be met, and secure the agreement of a Philosophy faculty member to serve as the thesis adviser. Then, in consultation with the thesis adviser (typically at the end of junior year), they will assemble a list of relevant texts in the area of thesis research and begin reading through the materials in the summer before senior year. In fall of senior year, they will enroll in PHIL 396, for which they will meet regularly with the adviser throughout the semester to discuss the texts and to hone the thesis topic and outline. Registration for Independent Study courses needs to be completed thru the . Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 396-1 Honors Tutorial Rosa Terlazzo 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Those wishing to pursue an Honors thesis track must first confirm with the Undergraduate Adviser that they meet the eligibility requirements, discuss how the other Honors requirements will be met, and secure the agreement of a Philosophy faculty member to serve as the thesis adviser. Then, in consultation with the thesis adviser (typically at the end of junior year), they will assemble a list of relevant texts in the area of thesis research and begin reading through the materials in the summer before senior year. In fall of senior year, they will enroll in PHIL 396, for which they will meet regularly with the adviser throughout the semester to discuss the texts and to hone the thesis topic and outline. Registration for Independent Study courses needs to be completed through the Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 396-3 Honors Tutorial Zeynep Soysal 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Those wishing to pursue an Honors thesis track must first confirm with the Undergraduate Adviser that they meet the eligibility requirements, discuss how the other Honors requirements will be met, and secure the agreement of a Philosophy faculty member to serve as the thesis adviser. Then, in consultation with the thesis adviser (typically at the end of junior year), they will assemble a list of relevant texts in the area of thesis research and begin reading through the materials in the summer before senior year. In fall of senior year, they will enroll in PHIL 396, for which they will meet regularly with the adviser throughout the semester to discuss the texts and to hone the thesis topic and outline. Registration for Independent Study courses needs to be completed thru the . Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 399-03 Honors Thesis Zeynep Soysal 7:00PM - 7:00PM
No description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)

Number	Title	Instructor	Time
Monday
Monday and Wednesday
PHIL 105-01 Reason and Argument Zeynep Soysal
Methods of identifying, interpreting, reconstructing, and evaluating reasoning found in speeches, essays, editorials, magazine articles, and scientific reports. Analytical methods mastered in this course do not include those of formal symbolic logic.
PHIL 202-01 History of Modern Philosophy Alison Peterman
Often regarded as generating many of our contemporary philosophical questions and resources, the philosophy of 17th and 18th century Europe was shaped by the new science of Galileo, Descartes and Newton, geopolitical developments like the Thirty Years War and exploration and colonization of non-European places, and debates about religious and political freedom and toleration. Readings from among Montaigne, Descartes, Cavendish, Leibniz, Conway, Spinoza, Newton, Du Chatelet, Berkeley and Hume on methodology, motion, space and time, causality, perception, the mind-body problem, toleration and knowledge.
PHIL 223-1 Social & Political Philosophy Rosa Terlazzo
PREREQUISITE: At least one prior course in Philosophy We do social and political philosophy to better understand how our social and political communities should be structured. We’ll use both classic and contemporary works of political philosophy to explore how we might best balance two aims of political community: Freedom and Equality. While both of these aims are central to a just society, they also seem to be in deep tension with one another.
PHIL 223W-1 Social & Political Philosophy Rosa Terlazzo
PREREQUISITE: At least one prior course in Philosophy We do social and political philosophy to better understand how our social and political communities should be structured. We’ll use both classic and contemporary works of political philosophy to explore how we might best balance two aims of political community: Freedom and Equality. While both of these aims are central to a just society, they also seem to be in deep tension with one another.
PHIL 101-03 Introduction to Philosophy Ur Staff
Philosophers ask questions about a vast variety of topics, including what really exists, what we can know, how we should live, how we should treat each other, whether there is a God or a life after this one, how can we have free choices, and what it means to be a human with a particular identity. Philosophers seek answers to such questions by thinking carefully about them, using experience, reason and argumentation, and taking into account contributions of the sciences, literature, and other fields. This course will introduce students to some of the most interesting and exciting parts of philosophy.
PHIL 212-01 Probability, Inference and Decision Rush Stewart
This course aims to give students familiarity with some of the basic mathematical concepts and tools used in decision theory as well as an appreciation of some of the main philosophical issues at stake. We will cover theories of rational decision making both for individual agents and for groups.
PHIL 110-01 Introductory Logic Mark Povich
Logic is the study of valid forms of argument. This course is an introduction to symbolic logic, a modern theory of logic that involves the construction of an artificial symbolic language within which the logical forms of sentences can be expressed and the validity of arguments can be proven. Students will learn two logical systems, Sentence Logic and Predicate Logic. In addition to translating English arguments into symbolic form, and constructing interpretations to demonstrate the invalidity of arguments, students will also learn how to prove that an argument is valid using a set of rigorously defined implication rules for each logical system.
Tuesday
PHIL 265-03 Select Topics in Ancient Philosophy Randall Curren
Foundations of Ancient Greek philosophy from Presocratic to Hellenistic periods. Covers ancient Greek ethics, metaphysics and epistemology, philosophy of mind. Special attention to Plato and Aristotle.
PHIL 265W-03 Select Topics in Ancient Philosophy Randall Curren
Foundations of Ancient Greek philosophy from Presocratic to Hellenistic periods. Covers ancient Greek ethics, metaphysics and epistemology, philosophy of mind. Special attention to Plato and Aristotle. Fulfills upper level writing requirement for the major.
Tuesday and Thursday
PHIL 103-1 Contemporary Moral Problems William FitzPatrick
An introduction to moral philosophy as applied to current topics. Some questions to be explored: What sorts of socioeconomic principles are morally justifiable? Does the history of racial injustice in the U.S. create a moral demand for reparations, and if so, what is the best argument for this? What is the relation, if any, between morality and religion? Do animals have moral rights? How should we understand the meaning and value of human life and death? Can abortion sometimes be justified, and if so, how? Is it okay to destroy embryos for stem cell research? Is active euthanasia ever permissible? Is capital punishment justifiable in principle? In practice? Is torture morally permissible in the fight against terrorism? How far does our moral duty to aid distant strangers extend? We will also explore related general questions: Is it always possible for a good enough end to justify bad means? Are there objective facts about right or wrong, or is morality ultimately relative to cultures or times? Are there situations in which every available action is wrong? Can we be morally assessed even for some things that are largely a matter of luck?
PHIL 228-01 Public Health Ethics Richard Dees
[Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy] Most health care ethics focuses on the individual decisions about health care, but many ethical questions have implications for society at large. The demands that individual health decisions make on the system may create collective problems, and conversely, the needs of society may limit the freedoms that individuals think they should have. Public health ethics then, lie at the intersection of medicine, political philosophy, and public policy. This course will examine the values of health, social needs, and freedom through a systematic examination of situations in which these conflicts arise.
PHIL 228W-01 Public Health Ethics Richard Dees
[Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy] Most health care ethics focuses on the individual decisions about health care, but many ethical questions have implications for society at large. The demands that individual health decisions make on the system may create collective problems, and conversely, the needs of society may limit the freedoms that individuals think they should have. Public health ethics then, lie at the intersection of medicine, political philosophy, and public policy. This course will examine the values of health, social needs, and freedom through a systematic examination of situations in which these conflicts arise.
PHIL 230-01 Environmental Justice Randall Curren
Environmental justice and sustainability, both domestic and global, bringing philosophical and systems analysis to bear on environmental degradation, transparency and governance, climate change, the ethics of consumption and development, responsibility to future generations.
PHIL 230W-01 Environmental Justice Randall Curren
Environmental justice and sustainability, both domestic and global, bringing philosophical and systems analysis to bear on environmental degradation, transparency and governance, climate change, the ethics of consumption and development, responsibility to future generations. Fulfills upper level writing requirement for the major.
PHIL 247-1 Philosophy of Language Jens Kipper
The goal of the course is to examine a number of central philosophical problems about language (including the nature of linguistic meaning and its relation to truth, reference, communication, and necessity), while exploring the connections between these problems and issues in and about philosophy more generally.
PHIL 247W-1 Philosophy of Language Jens Kipper
The goal of the course is to examine a number of central philosophical problems about language (including the nature of linguistic meaning and its relation to truth, reference, communication, and necessity), while exploring the connections between these problems and issues in and about philosophy more generally.
PHIL 102-01 Ethics Dante Dauksz
Leading theories of right and wrong, good and evil, and related matters such as the functions of ethical language and the reality or unreality of moral knowledge.
PHIL 242-01 Metaphysics Yanssel Garcia
[Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy] No prior courses in science required. Investigates topics in contemporary metaphysics, including questions about the existence and persistence conditions of abstract and material objects; the nature of space and time; the possibility of time travel; the status of quantum mechanics.
PHIL 242W-01 Metaphysics Yanssel Garcia
[Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy] No prior courses in science required. Investigates topics in contemporary metaphysics, including questions about the existence and persistence conditions of abstract and material objects; the nature of space and time; the possibility of time travel; the status of quantum mechanics.
PHIL 257-01 Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence Jens Kipper
Many people believe that very soon, artificial intelligence is going to be everywhere. Artificial systems will steer cars, ships, and planes, care for the sick, fight fires and fight wars for us, organize our schedules, order our food, etc. But what exactly is an artificial intelligence? And can there be artificial systems that truly think, or feel? In this course, we will address questions like these from a philosophical perspective. In doing so, we will encounter some of the most fundamental issues in the philosophy of mind‹for example, what are thoughts and feelings, and how might they relate to physical states of our brains, or to computational states? We will then examine how artificial systems, such as artificial neural networks, function, and discuss what they might teach us about the mind in general and about human minds in particular. Finally, we will consider the consequences that the development and application of artificial intelligence might have for humanity. PREREQUISITE: At least one prior course in Philosophy
PHIL 257W-01 Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence Jens Kipper
Many people believe that very soon, artificial intelligence is going to be everywhere. Artificial systems will steer cars, ships, and planes, care for the sick, fight fires and fight wars for us, organize our schedules, order our food, etc. But what exactly is an artificial intelligence? And can there be artificial systems that truly think, or feel? In this course, we will address questions like these from a philosophical perspective. In doing so, we will encounter some of the most fundamental issues in the philosophy of mind‹for example, what are thoughts and feelings, and how might they relate to physical states of our brains, or to computational states? We will then examine how artificial systems, such as artificial neural networks, function, and discuss what they might teach us about the mind in general and about human minds in particular. Finally, we will consider the consequences that the development and application of artificial intelligence might have for humanity. PREREQUISITE: At least one prior course in Philosophy
PHIL 101-01 Introduction to Philosophy Dante Dauksz
Philosophers ask questions about a vast variety of topics, including what really exists, what we can know, how we should live, how we should treat each other, whether there is a God or a life after this one, how can we have free choices, and what it means to be a human with a particular identity. Philosophers seek answers to such questions by thinking carefully about them, using experience, reason and argumentation, and taking into account contributions of the sciences, literature, and other fields. This course will introduce students to some of the most interesting and exciting parts of philosophy.
PHIL 241-01 Aesthetics Robert Doran
Studies the history of “aesthetic” thought—namely the philosophical reflection on the concepts of beauty, taste, and sublimity, on our affective response to art and nature, and on the role of art and the artist in society—from Plato to Nietzsche, with particular emphasis on how aesthetics relates to questions of epistemology, anthropology, ethics, ontology, and politics. The concepts of mimesis and the sublime will be given special attention. Authors studied include Plato, Aristotle, Horace, Longinus, Boileau, Batteux, Burke, Hume, Rousseau, Kant, Nietzsche. Conducted in English.
PHIL 243-1 Theory of Knowledge Earl Conee
The course addresses major questions in epistemology, using recent philosophical readings. The questions include: What is knowledge? Do context or practical concerns affect what we know? Do we really know anything about the world around us? What makes a belief justified? When is disagreement rational?
PHIL 243W-1 Theory of Knowledge Earl Conee
The course addresses major questions in epistemology, using recent philosophical readings. The questions include: What is knowledge? Do context or practical concerns affect what we know? Do we really know anything about the world around us? What makes a belief justified? When is disagreement rational?
Wednesday
Thursday
PHIL 199-01 The Infinite Steven Gonek
In this interdisciplinary seminar course we will try to understand "the infinite", one of the most fascinating and elusive concepts in human culture. It plays a vital role in biblical thought, ancient Greek philosophy and mysticism, scholastic theology, nineteenth century romantic literature, ancient and modern mathematics, and physics. A small sample of the questions we will explore are: 1) How is it possible to even think about the infinite? 2) What does it mean for God to be infinite? 3) The infinite or the finite, which is better, and why has the answer differed in different cultures? Readings will be from numerous sources, including Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, Aquinas, Nicholas of Cusa, Newton, Berkeley, Wordsworth, Cantor, and Borges, as time permits.

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Fall Term Schedule

Fall 2025

Fall 2025

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