Major developments in ancient Greek philosophic thought: pre-Socrates, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Hellenistic thinkers.

Can anything be known beyond a shadow of a doubt? How ought scientific knowledge be discovered and justified? In what does one's identity as a person consist? How does our human nature affect the way that we conceive of and come to know the world? This course examines the momentous intellectual transformations in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries that inspired such questions and their innovative solutions.

Sharpen your reasoning skills through a close examination of arguments. Learn formal methods for representing and assessing arguments, including how to represent informal arguments in formal languages, and how to evaluate whether the premises of an argument entail its conclusion.

Study of syntax and semantics of sentential and first-order logic. Symbolization of natural-language sentences and arguments. Development of deductive systems for first-order logic. Metatheoretic proofs and methods, including proof by mathematical induction and proof of consistency and completeness. prereq: 1001 or instr consent

Critical discussion of concepts such as knowledge, objectivity, justification, rationality, evidence, authority, expertise, and trust in relation to the norms and privileges of gender, race, class, and other social categories.

Science influences us daily, shaping how we understand ourselves and interpret nature. This course is an introduction to how scientists reason about the world, what that means for our lives, and the status of science as a human activity. What is science and what?s so great about it? Is science the ultimate authority on the world and our place in it? This course examines the authority of science, how scientists reason, and science?s status as a human activity. prereq: One course in philosophy or natural science

Broadly speaking, metaphysics is the study of the nature of reality. Metaphysical questions include questions about what kinds of things exist, what is the nature of things, what are persons, what is possible or impossible, what is the nature of time, what is causality, and many other fundamental questions about the world. The aim of this course is to introduce students to some of the central questions of metaphysics to investigate some of their answers. prereq: One course in history of philosophy or instr consent

Epistemology is the study of knowledge. Epistemological questions include questions about the nature of knowledge, the difference between knowledge and true belief, the nature of justification, and the structure of our knowledge about the world. Epistemology is also centrally concerned with understanding and responding to arguments for skepticism, the view that we do not know anything about the world around us. The aim of this course is to introduce students to the some of the main problems of epistemology and to investigate some of their solutions. prereq: 1001 or instr consent

Theories of reference, linguistic truth, relation of language/thought, translation/synonymy. prereq: 1001 or 5201 or instr consent

Nature and justification of moral judgments and moral principles; analysis of representative moral views.

Is human nature fundamentally selfish or are we sympathetic creatures? What is free will and do we have it? Do moral principles have a rational basis or are our moral judgments expressions of feelings? Should morality be thought of in terms of acting on principle or producing good outcomes? We will focus on these and other questions as they are explored in primary texts from the early modern history of western philosophy. prereq: 1003 or instr consent

Intensive consideration of an author or theory in the history of moral or political philosophy. prereq: 1003 or instr consent

What is justice, understood as a central virtue of our social (e.g., political and legal) institutions? What does justice require in the political realm and what kind of state is best suited to achieve it? Ideally, what image of the just state should regulate our behavior? How do the requirements of justice change, if they do, in non-ideal circumstances, such as in cases of noncompliance with the law or in the context of violent conflict (e.g., in war)? This course is intended to provide upper-level undergraduates and philosophy graduate students with a selective survey of important work in contemporary theory of justice that addresses such questions. prereq: 1003 or 1004 or instr consent

Is morality objective, just a matter of feeling, or something in between? How do we know even the most basic of moral truths? Do I always have a reason to do what is moral? What motivates people to be moral and why do some people behave immorally? This class looks at these and related questions in metaethics, moral psychology, and other areas of contemporary moral theory. prereq: 1003 or instr consent

Works in political philosophy, whether historical or more contemporary, are one central element of the study of philosophy more broadly. As we will address these works, and the issues and concepts they take up, they fall within the larger field of moral philosophy. Like other works in this broad category, discussion in political philosophy typically consider both metaethical and normative questions. Metaethical questions concern the concepts we use as we consider matters of right and wrong or of ethical value. In the realm of political philosophy, authors consider rightness, wrongness and ethical value as they bear on political societies and political leaders, and not only on citizens but on non-citizens who experience the effects of political power. Examples of such questions include: What is justice? What is political power? What are freedom, equality and autonomy? Normative questions, by contrast, concern matters of practice. In the context of moral and political philosophy, they are typically questions about what we must do or refrain from doing if we are to act rightly (as opposed to prudently or efficiently for instance). Examples in the political realm include: What are just standards of criminal punishment? What obligations does a just state have to citizens and to non-citizen residents? What right, if any, do citizens and others have to protest state laws, policies and actions? What rights can citizens or others claim to equality under the law? What grounds or justifies our responses to such questions? Over the course of this semester, we will read both canonical texts in the history of political philosophy and pieces by a variety of authors who are less well known. Our aim will be to improve our ability to understand broad claims and more nuanced points, to compare and critically assess contrasting views, and to appreciate the ways in which political philosophers often draw or expand on others' works even as they challenge them. We will also be working towards improvements in the difficult task of explaining and supporting claims and analyses, in short written pieces, longer essays and oral discussions. prereq: 1004 or instr consent

Guided individual study leading to research paper that satisfies senior capstone requirement. Students enrolling in this directed study/research course will complete the Philosophy Senior Capstone: Directed Study contract form with a faculty mentor. The faculty member will ensure academic standards are upheld, including: - the work proposed is at the appropriate level for the course, academic in nature, and the student will be involved intellectually in the project. - the project scope is reasonable (42 hours of work per credit) - the faculty mentor is qualified to serve in this role - assessment of student learning and grading criteria are clear and appropriate - the student will be working in a respectful, inclusive environment. The contract will include the learning objectives for the course, the methods that will be employed, and how assessment will be conducted by the faculty mentor. The contract must be approved by the department academic approver before the student can register. prereq: instr consent, dept consent

Major developments in ancient Greek philosophic thought: pre-Socrates, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Hellenistic thinkers.

Can anything be known beyond a shadow of a doubt? How ought scientific knowledge be discovered and justified? In what does one's identity as a person consist? How does our human nature affect the way that we conceive of and come to know the world? This course examines the momentous intellectual transformations in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries that inspired such questions and their innovative solutions.

One feature of life in modern society is the presence of deep moral disagreement. Individuals must decide what actions are right, and societies must make political choices. How do we know what the right answer is? Which answers and approaches are rationally defensible? Philosophical reflection, rational argument, and systematic analysis can help us think about these problems more clearly and arrive at answers that are both useful and intellectually satisfying. This course will address various rotating topics, such as abortion, animal rights, criminal punishment, censorship, personal relationships, affirmative action, and other active areas of moral and social concern.

Nature and justification of moral judgments and moral principles; analysis of representative moral views.

Science influences us daily, shaping how we understand ourselves and interpret nature. This course is an introduction to how scientists reason about the world, what that means for our lives, and the status of science as a human activity. What is science and what?s so great about it? Is science the ultimate authority on the world and our place in it? This course examines the authority of science, how scientists reason, and science?s status as a human activity. prereq: One course in philosophy or natural science

Epistemology is the study of knowledge. Epistemological questions include questions about the nature of knowledge, the difference between knowledge and true belief, the nature of justification, and the structure of our knowledge about the world. Epistemology is also centrally concerned with understanding and responding to arguments for skepticism, the view that we do not know anything about the world around us. The aim of this course is to introduce students to the some of the main problems of epistemology and to investigate some of their solutions. prereq: 1001 or instr consent

Is human nature fundamentally selfish or are we sympathetic creatures? What is free will and do we have it? Do moral principles have a rational basis or are our moral judgments expressions of feelings? Should morality be thought of in terms of acting on principle or producing good outcomes? We will focus on these and other questions as they are explored in primary texts from the early modern history of western philosophy. prereq: 1003 or instr consent

Intensive consideration of an author or theory in the history of moral or political philosophy. prereq: 1003 or instr consent

What is justice, understood as a central virtue of our social (e.g., political and legal) institutions? What does justice require in the political realm and what kind of state is best suited to achieve it? Ideally, what image of the just state should regulate our behavior? How do the requirements of justice change, if they do, in non-ideal circumstances, such as in cases of noncompliance with the law or in the context of violent conflict (e.g., in war)? This course is intended to provide upper-level undergraduates and philosophy graduate students with a selective survey of important work in contemporary theory of justice that addresses such questions. prereq: 1003 or 1004 or instr consent

Government -- what are its purpose; the limits on its authority; its responsibilities to citizens (and vice versa)? What roles do freedom, equality, rights, property, punishment and justice play here? Join in as we discuss and debate competing views.

In this course, we will consider some of the numerous questions debated within philosophy. These include: What can we know? How do we know it? Is there a God? What is a person? What makes anyone the same person over time? How ought we organize ourselves politically? How do gender and race shape our lives? To think through these questions, we will read texts authored by a diverse cross-section of philosophers, with the express purpose of regularly engaging students with perspectives relevantly unlike their own.

Philosophical basis for membership in moral community. Theories applied to specific problems (e.g., vegetarianism, wilderness preservation). Students defend their own reasoned views about moral relations between humans, animals, and nature.

One feature of life in modern society is the presence of deep moral disagreement. Individuals must decide what actions are right, and societies must make political choices. How do we know what the right answer is? Which answers and approaches are rationally defensible? Philosophical reflection, rational argument, and systematic analysis can help us think about these problems more clearly and arrive at answers that are both useful and intellectually satisfying. This course will address various rotating topics, such as abortion, animal rights, criminal punishment, censorship, personal relationships, affirmative action, and other active areas of moral and social concern.

What is law? Must true laws be just? When (if ever) are civil disobedience or legal punishment morally justified? Do good laws incorporate (or legislate) morality? Consider and debate these issues using philosophical texts, case law, and the occasional novel.

Moral problems confronting physicians, patients, and others concerned with medical treatment, research, and public health policy. Topics include abortion, living wills, euthanasia, genetic engineering, informed consent, proxy decision-making, and allocation of medical resources.

Immersion experience. Students live together as a residential community of learners. Works of philosophy, history, and literature form backdrop for exploring such questions as "How is identity constructed?," "What is vocation?," and "What experiences of community are desirable in a life?" Each student creates a life-hypothesis for a life worth living. prereq: instr consent

Works in political philosophy, whether historical or more contemporary, are one central element of the study of philosophy more broadly. As we will address these works, and the issues and concepts they take up, they fall within the larger field of moral philosophy. Like other works in this broad category, discussion in political philosophy typically consider both metaethical and normative questions. Metaethical questions concern the concepts we use as we consider matters of right and wrong or of ethical value. In the realm of political philosophy, authors consider rightness, wrongness and ethical value as they bear on political societies and political leaders, and not only on citizens but on non-citizens who experience the effects of political power. Examples of such questions include: What is justice? What is political power? What are freedom, equality and autonomy? Normative questions, by contrast, concern matters of practice. In the context of moral and political philosophy, they are typically questions about what we must do or refrain from doing if we are to act rightly (as opposed to prudently or efficiently for instance). Examples in the political realm include: What are just standards of criminal punishment? What obligations does a just state have to citizens and to non-citizen residents? What right, if any, do citizens and others have to protest state laws, policies and actions? What rights can citizens or others claim to equality under the law? What grounds or justifies our responses to such questions? Over the course of this semester, we will read both canonical texts in the history of political philosophy and pieces by a variety of authors who are less well known. Our aim will be to improve our ability to understand broad claims and more nuanced points, to compare and critically assess contrasting views, and to appreciate the ways in which political philosophers often draw or expand on others' works even as they challenge them. We will also be working towards improvements in the difficult task of explaining and supporting claims and analyses, in short written pieces, longer essays and oral discussions. prereq: 1004 or instr consent

Encounters between philosophy/feminism. Gender's influence in traditional philosophical problems/methods. Social role of theorist/theorizing as they relate to politics of feminism. This course surveys central debates in feminist philosophy, with a focus on the methods and virtues of resistance. Along the way, we will consider the question of how we should live in an oppressive society. Topics may include intimidation, gaslighting, silencing, epistemic injustice, emotional labor, intersectionality, resistance, anger and violence. prereq: 8 crs in [philosophy or women's studies] or instr consent