Results 1 - 89 of 89 Courses

Philosophy
Department of Philosophy, College of Arts and Science

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UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE COURSES

Junior Courses: 100-level

PHIL 110.6
Introduction to Philosophy
1&2(3L)

An introduction to the perennial issues in Western philosophy which arise out of the search for truth and meaning in life: good and evil, appearance and reality, the rational grounds for belief in God, scepticism and knowledge, social justice. Emphasizes critical thinking and the development of understanding through reasoned argument.

Note: No previous training in philosophy is required or presupposed. Students with credit for PHIL 120 or 133 may not take this course for credit. (Students with credit for PHIL 120 or PHIL 133 should take the remaining one if they are seeking equivalency to PHIL 110.)

PHIL 120.3
Knowledge Mind and Existence as Introductory Topics in Philosophical Problems
1/2(3L)

Introduces students to philosophy by exploring fundamental problems about reality, the limits of human knowledge, and the nature of the mind. Topics include whether we have free will, whether there are grounds for doubt about the basic beliefs about other people or the world, and the nature and role of cognition in the composition of a human being.

Note: Students with credit for PHIL 110 may not take this course for credit.

PHIL 133.3
Introduction to Ethics and Values
1/2(3L)

Introduces students to value theory by exploring fundamental problems about morality, justice, beauty, and the problems posed by the purported relativity of value to personal taste and cultural context. Will include topics such as what makes a society just, whether we have any moral obligations, and whether humour is objective.

Note: Students with credit for PHIL 110 may not take this course for credit.

PHIL 140.3
Critical Thinking
1/2(3L)

An introduction to essential principles of reasoning and critical thinking, designed to introduce the students to the analysis of concepts, to enhance their ability to evaluate various forms of reasoning and to examine critically beliefs, conventions and theories, and to develop sound arguments. Topics include fundamentals of logic and analysis, definition, logical fallacies, and conceptual analysis.

Note: Students with credit for PHIL 240, 241, 243 or CMPT 260 may not take this course for credit. To receive credit for both PHIL 140 and CMPT 260, students must take PHIL 140 prior to CMPT 260. Students may not take PHIL 140 concurrently with PHIL 240 or PHIL 241 or PHIL 243 or CMPT 260.

Senior Courses: 200-level. Many 200 level courses require only second year standing in University (24 credit units) or PHIL 120.3. Check the prerequisites to make sure. Students lacking the prerequisites for a course may seek departmental permission to have the requirement waived.

PHIL 202.3
Philosophy of Religion Introduction
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

The concept of religion; different theories explaining the origin of religion; the philosophical conception of religion in contrast to mythology, ideology, magic, superstition and theology; God: mystery or problem; different ways to approach the mystery of God, the meaning of religious terms and language, varieties of atheism and unbelief; the problem of evil.

PHIL 204.3
Philosophy of Religion Christian Tradition
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

An introduction to major constructive thinkers of the Christian tradition. Clarifies the differences between Christian philosophy, theology and philosophy of religion by explaining how distinctively philosophical questions arise out of the context of Christian belief and practice. Thinkers to be studied will range from the patristic period to the 20th century.

PHIL 208.3
Ancient Philosophy Presocratics to Plato
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

A study of the origins of philosophical reasoning in ancient Greece to its most extensive development in the philosophy of Plato. Classical views of the ultimate nature of reality, the scope and limits of human knowledge, and the grounds for aesthetic and moral evaluations will be examined.

PHIL 209.3
Ancient Philosophy Aristotle to Plotinus
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credits at the university.

The development of philosophy in ancient Greece and Rome from the time of Aristotle to the emergence of Christianity. In addition to a survey of several of the most important aspects of Aristotle's philosophy, this course will examine such schools of thought as Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Neoplatonism.

PHIL 210.3
Medieval Philosophy I
1(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy.

The study of major thinkers of the early middle ages, including Augustine, Boethius, Eriugena, Anselm, and Abelard. Background will be provided to Neoplatonic themes that shape this period. Topics include free will, happiness, the existence of God, theories of truth, and the problem of universals.

PHIL 211.3
Medieval Philosophy II
2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy.

The study of major Jewish, Muslim, and Christian thinkers of the high middle ages, including Moses Maimonides, Avicenna, Averroes, Bonaventure, Thomas Aquinas, Duns Scotus, and William of Ockham. Background to Aristotle and his tradition will be provided. Topics include the relation of faith and reason, existence and nature of God, human nature, voluntarism, and the critique of metaphysics.

PHIL 212.3
Medieval Intellectuals
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units of 100-level History or Philosophy.

An interdisciplinary examination of major intellectual figures in their historical and philosophical contexts from late antiquity to the end of the middle ages. Themes include the liberal arts tradition, the relation of faith and reason, the emergence of mediaeval science, the rise of Scholasticism, the mystical tradition, and the classical revival.

PHIL 213.3
17th Century Philosophy
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or PHIL 120.

Early modern philosophy: Cartesianism, rationalism, empiricism, and the development of metaphysics and epistemology. Authors to be studied may include Hobbes, Descartes, Malebranche, Locke, Spinoza and Leibniz.

PHIL 214.3
18th Century Philosophy
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or PHIL 120.

The continued development of modern philosophy before Kant; idealism and skepticism, and the advancement of moral sentiment. Authors to be studied may include Berkeley, Hume, Reid, and Rousseau.

PHIL 215.3
19th Century European Philosophy
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or PHL 120.

A survey of authors or themes central in the development of modern philosophy in Continental Europe and Britain in the 19th Century, including Hegel and Marx, and topics such as the theory of the state, the nature of human will, moral theory, and the origins of sociological thought.

PHIL 218.3
Existentialism
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

An introduction to 19th and 20th C existentialist thought from Kierkegaard and Nietzsche to Sartre. Issues to be explored concern the human quest for meaning in existence and include the nature of the human self, truth, freedom, mortality, the significance of God, and the possibility of interpersonal relations.

PHIL 219.3
Phenomenology
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy.

A survey of phenomenological thought, primarily of the early 20th C. This course will include authors such as Husserl, Heidegger, and Merleau-Ponty.

PHIL 224.3
Philosophy of Sexuality
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

A philosophical examination of the fundamental assumptions about the nature of sexuality. Philosophical theories about "natural" or "proper" male and female roles, mental and physical sexual distinctions and the sexual aspects of rationality and emotion will be examined along with their implications for such topics as work, marriage, love, friendship, communication, and politics.

PHIL 226.3
Environmental Philosophy
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

A philosophical study of moral, social and political issues concerning the environment, whether natural or constructed. Topics may include: the nature of Nature, nonanthropocentric ethics, animal rights, political and cultural roots of environmental abuse, evolutionary perspectives, the Gaian hypothesis, ecotopias, environmental aesthetics, the place of environment in the Good Life.

PHIL 227.3
Introduction to Feminist Philosophy
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

Examines ways feminist philosophers have critiqued traditional western philosophy. Looks at feminist criticism of major positions in recent philosophy as well as the rich variety of constructive responses to these critiques. Introduces students to a number of feminist positions.

PHIL 231.3
Ethical Problems
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

Contemporary ethical problems such as the morality of human sexuality, abortion, euthanasia, manipulation of human beings, war and revolution, environmental ethics, prejudice and discrimination.

PHIL 233.3
Ethical Theory
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or PHIL 133.

An introduction to the meta-ethical issues important to an understanding of historically important ethical theories, together with an examination of those theories. Philosophers studied may include Socrates, Aristotle, Aquinas, Hobbes, Kant, and Mill, among others.

PHIL 234.3
Biomedical Ethics
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

An examination of contemporary biomedical ethical issues such as the definition of a person, determination of life and death, euthanasia, abortion, prenatal diagnosis and intervention, problems in the physician-patient relationship, reproductive technologies, genetic engineering and accessibility to health care.

PHIL 235.3
Ethical Issues in Business and Professions
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

Introduces ethical issues that are related to business enterprises and professional practices such as the questions of striking and advertising; preferential hiring; responsibility to society; the organization and the profession. It will also consider theoretical questions about free enterprise, socialist politics, and government controls and regulations.

PHIL 236.3
Ethics and Technology
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

An overview of ethical issues related to the impact of modern technology on scientific research and the activities of corporations and professionals. Topics include: moral responsibility in the age of technology, genetic engineering of plants and animals, environmental ethics, privacy in the computer age, and ethical issues in international markets.

PHIL 237.3
Law and Morality
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

An introduction to philosophical issues regarding law and its relation to morality. Issues to be explored concern the nature and validity of law and the law’s proper limits in relation to topics such as freedom of expression, pornography, the definition of family and marriage, civil disobedience, abortion and capital punishment.

PHIL 238.3
Ethical Issues in Scientific Research
1/2(2L-1T)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

Introduction to ethical issues related to scientific research requiring institutional ethics review and approval. Theoretical approaches in ethics and their relationship to national and institutional guidelines governing research protocol compliance are considered. Topics include Aristotelian, Kantian and Utilitarian ethics, ethical standards in designing research protocols, and protection of research subjects.

PHIL 240.3
Aristotelian Logic
1(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

The meaning of concept, term, judgement and proposition, categorical and hypothetical reasoning and induction; mathematical logic (Venn diagrams, truth trees, elementary deductions, syllogism). Frequent exercises will be assigned.

PHIL 241.3
Introduction to Symbolic Logic I
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

An introduction to modern logic. Truth-functional statement logic and first order predicate logic. Formalization of natural language statements and arguments.

Note: Students with credit for PHIL 243 may not take this course for credit; nor may students take PHIL 241 and 243 concurrently. To receive credit for both PHIL 241 and 243 students must take PHIL 241 prior to PHIL 243.

PHIL 243.3
Introduction to Symbolic Logic II
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): PHIL 241 or CMPT 260.

A continuation of the propositional and monadic logic covered in PHIL 241. A brief review, followed by polyadic predicate logic with identity and various operators; definite descriptions, adverbial modifications, quantification over properties; introduction to modal logics and their philosophical significance.

Note: Students with credit for PHIL 242 may not take this course for credit.

PHIL 251.3
Philosophy of Science
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or 12 credit units in a natural science.

An introduction to the nature, extent and significance of scientific knowledge. Problems about the nature of scientific theories and models, scientific explanation and prediction, scientific growth, and issues about the relationship between science, religion and morality will be discussed.

PHIL 262.3
Social and Political Philosophy
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy, history or a social science.

An examination of philosophical theories of political organization. Such issues as justice and power, rights, freedom and the public good will be discussed.

PHIL 265.3
Decision and Choice Theory
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

An examination of rational choice in individual and collective decision-making. Topics include: decisions under certainty, risk and uncertainty, and probability, belief and value as utilized in choice principles. The course will explore maximization of expected utility, minimal loss/regret, optimism-pessimism, basic game theory and applications in moral, social and political decision-making.

PHIL 271.3
Aesthetics
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy, fine arts or literature.

An introduction to philosophical problems related to the arts; such as the nature of art, meaning, expression, and the nature of critical and evaluative judgments.

PHIL 281.3
Theory of Knowledge
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or PHIL 120.

Examines the status and extent of our knowledge of the world, of ourselves, and other people. Problems about the nature of knowledge, the justification of claims of knowledge, the relationship of knowledge to belief and truth, perception, and the viability of scepticism will be discussed.

PHIL 285.3
Persons Minds and Bodies
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

An introduction to the Philosophy of Mind. Topics include: consciousness, thought, intentionality, emotions, action and the will, other minds (human and artificial), the concept of the self and theories about the nature of the mind.

PHIL 292.3
Introduction to Metaphysics
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or PHIL 120.

Surveys the principal types of theories of reality that have been produced in western philosophy, e.g., materialism, idealism, dualism, monism, atomism, and investigates major problems and concepts in metaphysics, e.g., time, space, substance, essence, free will and determinism, causality, the nature of the self and the problem of universals.

PHIL 294.3
Philosophy of Human Nature
2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or completion of 24 credit units at the university.

A philosophical examination of whether there is a human nature, through both historical and contemporary discussions. Will include topics such as the importance of narrative, biology and evolution, selfishness, gender, race, freedom, and personhood.

PHIL 296.3
Nature of Material Reality
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in philosophy or 12 credit units in natural science.

A study of the philosophy of nature which examines ancient and modern views on the material constitution of bodies, organisms, and persons. Major topics include the nature of substance, the distinction between properties and substances, artifacts and natural things, and the mind-body problem.

Senior Courses: 300- and 400-level. Unless otherwise specified philosophy courses at the 300 and 400 level require at least 12 credit units in philosophy.

PHIL 302.3
Contemporary Philosophy of Religion
1/2(3L)

A study of major topics in recent analytic and/or continental philosophy of religion. Topics include the rationality of religious belief, the nature of God, religious language, the problem of evil, critiques of religion, and the interface of major world religions.

PHIL 312.3
Great Philosophers I Historical Figures
1/2(3S)

Detailed reading in the work of a major philosopher such as Aristotle, Hume or Russell.

PHIL 313.3
Great Philosophers II Contemporary Figures
1/2(3S)

Consists of detailed reading in the work of some major philosopher.

PHIL 314.3
Kant
1/2(3S)

A study of Kant's Critical Philosophy, with emphasis on the Critique of Pure Reason.

PHIL 315.3
Hegel
1/2(3S)

A study of Hegel’s approach and contributions to philosophy through a detailed reading of some of his major works.

PHIL 319.3
Topics in Recent Continental Philosophy
1/2(3S)

Examines specific issues or authors in current continental philosophy. Areas of discussion might include critical theory, aesthetics, or hermeneutics, and authors such as Foucault, Habermas, Derrida, or Gadamer.

PHIL 320.3
Studies in Philosophy
1/2(3S)

The topic, movement or philosophers studied will vary from year to year.

PHIL 333.3
Metaethics
1/2(3L)
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units in philosophy including one of 231, 233, 234 or 235.

Concerned with topics such as the cognitive status of judgements about what is right and good, about the grounds of ethical judgement and the logic of ethical argument, and about the role of rules and principles in ethical dispute.

PHIL 337.3
Philosophy of Law
1/2(3S)

A critical examination of attempts to provide theories of the nature of law. This course will examine the debate between legal positivists and natural law theorists, as well as the reaction to this debate (e.g. Dworkin, legal realists, critical legal theorists, and feminists).

PHIL 343.3
Philosophical Logic
1/2(3S)
Prerequisite(s): PHIL 241 or CMPT 260 and 9 credit units in philosophy.

An introduction to basic topics in philosophical logic such as propositions and the problem of abstract entities, necessity, analycity and the a priori, theories of truth, theories of meaning and reference, existential commitment and presupposition, essentialism, entailment.

PHIL 347.3
Philosophy of Mathematics
1/2(3S)
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units in philosophy or 6 credit units in philosophy and 12 credit units in mathematics.

Introduces basic topics in the philosophy of mathematics, investigating the nature of mathematical truth, knowledge, and reality, and the application of mathematics to the world and its use in science and computation. Views about the foundations of mathematics including Platonism, logicism, intuitionism, and formalism are also examined.

PHIL 362.3
Topics in Political Philosophy
1/2(3S)
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units in philosophy or PHIL 262 or POLS 235.

The topic, political philosopher, movement or theories studied will vary from year to year.

PHIL 396.6
Metaphysics
1&2(3L)

Study of philosophical attempts to achieve knowledge of reality beyond the empirical; approached historically in terms of ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary theory; and problematically-in terms of present day concerns, such as space, time, motion, nature, existence, essence, God, soul, mind, idea, freedom, person, death, anxiety and art.

PHIL 404.3
Advanced Problems in Philosophy and Theology
1(3L)

Philosophical aspects of contemporary psychological and theological problems treated at an advanced level. Selected readings in Freud, Jung, Ryle, Merleau-Ponty, Marcel, Ricoeur and others.

PHIL 412.3
Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas I
1/2(3S)
Prerequisite(s): 18 credit units in philosophy.

The philosophy of Aquinas considered in the areas of philosophical theology, metaphysics, and philosophy of nature.

PHIL 413.3
Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas II
1/2(3S)
Prerequisite(s): 18 credit units in philosophy.

The philosophy of Aquinas considered in the areas of human nature, epistemology, and ethics.

PHIL 418.3
Advanced Analytic Philosophy
1/2(3S)
Prerequisite(s): PHIL 241 or CMPT 260 and 9 credit units in philosophy.

Studies developments in analytic philosophy examining representative works of the period including those of such philosophers as Russell and Moore, Carnap, Wittgenstein, Ryle, Austin, Ayer, Quine, Davidson, Nagel, Strawson, Dummet, Putnam, Kripke and Rorty.

PHIL 420.3
Honours Seminar
1/2(3S)
Prerequisite(s): 15 credit units in philosophy.

An advanced seminar in contemporary philosophy primarily for honours students. Focuses on a recent important book or a set of related journal articles on a central philosophical subject. Emphasis will be on student presentations and discussion.

PHIL 433.3
Topics in Ethics
1/2(3S)

An advanced course in value theory. The topic, ethical philosopher, movement or theories studied will vary from year to year.

PHIL 446.3
Philosophy of Language
1/2(3S)
Prerequisite(s): PHIL 241 or CMPT 260 and 9 credit units in philosophy.

An introduction to philosophical problems about language and linguistic approaches to philosophy. How language represents reality; how language colours our thoughts about reality; language as a vehicle of communication. Traditional accounts of truth, meaning, reference, predication and expression will be discussed, as well as methodology in language study and linguistic philosophy.

PHIL 451.3
Topics in History and Philosophy of Science
1/2(3S)
Prerequisite(s): PHIL 251, or 12 credit units in philosophy, or 6 credit units in philosophy and 12 credit units in a science, social science or history.

Examines current epistemological, ontological, methodological, conceptual and/or historical topics in the philosophy of the natural or biological sciences. Will treat issues such as the nature and extent of scientific rationality and objectivity, feminist critiques, social constructivism and sociology of knowledge, empiricism, scientific realism, explanation, prediction, and historical studies of science.

PHIL 455.3
Philosophy of Social Science
1/2(3S)
Prerequisite(s): PHIL 251 or 12 credit units in philosophy or 6 credit units in philosophy and 12 credit units in a social science or history.

Examines current conceptual, ontological, epistemological, and methodological issues in philosophy of social science; generalization and prediction in the social sciences, reasons vs. causes, interpretation and meaning of social phenomena, intentionality, explanation of action, reductionism, supervenience, individualism vs. holism, objectivity, realism, constructivism, relativism, facts vs. values, feminism, postmodernism, sociology of knowledge.

PHIL 481.3
Topics in Epistemology
1/2(3S)

Advanced topics in Epistemology; topics such as the nature of belief, perception, justification, truth and knowledge.

PHIL 485.3
Topics in Philosophy of Mind
1/2(3S)
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units in philosophy or PHIL 285.

Advanced Topics in the Philosophy of Mind: topic will vary from year to year, and will include issues such as meaning and mental representation, intentionality, phenomenal consciousness and qualia, folk psychology and propositional attitudes, supervenience and reduction, mental imagery, other minds and personal identity.

PHIL 492.3
Topics in Metaphysics
1/2(3S)

Advanced topics in Metaphysics; topics such as the nature of metaphysics, personal identity, universals, skepticism, substance, properties and relations, and necessity and possibility.




Special Topics

These courses are offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations. Students interested in these courses should contact the department for more information.
PHIL 298.3

1/2(3S)

PHIL 299.6

1&2(3S)

PHIL 398.3

1/2(3S)

PHIL 399.6

1&2(3S)

PHIL 498.3

1/2(3S)

PHIL 499.6

1&2(3S)

GRADUATE COURSES
Department of Philosophy, College of Graduate Studies & Research
PHIL 808.3
Topics in Greek and Roman Philosophy
1/2(3S)

A seminar on philosophic thought in Ancient Greece; topics include the metaphysical, epistemological and ethical theories of Plato and Aristotle; ancient schools such as the Stoics and Neo-Platonists.

PHIL 813.3
Topics in 17th and 18th Century Philosophy
1/2(3S)

A seminar in early modern philosophy concentrating on one or more of the empiricists – Locke, Berkeley, Hume – or the rationalists – Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz.

PHIL 814.3
Kant
1/2(3S)

A seminar on Kant’s critical philosophy, with an emphasis on his Critique of Pure Reason.

PHIL 815.3
Topics in 19th Century Philosophy
1/2(3S)

A seminar on one or more of the authors or themes that dominated philosophical thought in Europe during the Nineteenth Century, concentrating on the post-Kantian philosophers whose works were central in the development of modern European thought.

PHIL 816.3
Topics in Continental Philosophy
1/2(3S)

A seminar on modern existentialism, phenomenology or critical theory; including figures such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, Foucault and Habermas.

PHIL 817.3
Topics in Contemporary Analytic Philosophy
1/2(3S)

A seminar on the developments in Anglo-American analytic philosophy during the Twentieth century, from the period of the philosophical writings of Russell and Moore up to the works of Putnam, Kripke, and Davidson.

PHIL 818.3
Topics in Pragmatism
1/2(3S)

A seminar on pragmatism including the early pragmatists, such as James, up to the works of Quine and Rorty.

PHIL 819.3
Wittgenstein
1/2(3S)

A seminar on the thought of Wittgenstein covering either, or both, of the Tractatus and the Philosophical Investigations.

PHIL 820.3
Philosophical Texts
1/2(3S)

A seminar concentrating on an important recent philosophical text. The content will vary from year to year.

PHIL 826.3
Seminar in Philosophy of Mind
1/2(3S)

A seminar on topics in the philosophy of mind and cognitive science. Topics may include consciousness, mental representation, intentionality, qualia, supervenience, theoretical reduction, emotion, action and agency.

PHIL 833.3
Seminar in Ethics
1/2(3S)

A seminar in ethical theory and metaethics; topics include the cognitive status of moral judgements, the logic of ethical argument, and the nature of moral reasoning.

PHIL 842.3
Topics in Philosophical Logic
1/2(3S)

A seminar on philosophical issues pertaining to logic and its use as a philosophical tool. Topics may include the logical form of natural language, the nature of logical consequence, theories of truth, quantification and ontology, modality, conditionals, presupposition and logical pluralism.

PHIL 844.3
Seminar in Epistemology
1/2(3S)

A seminar on current issues in epistemology; topics may include the nature of belief, truth, justification, internalism/externalism, and naturalized epistemology.

PHIL 845.3
Seminar in Metaphysics
1/2(3S)

A seminar on the nature of metaphysics; topics may include existence, ontology, substance, universals, necessity, identity and change, time and space, causation, and free will.

PHIL 846.3
Seminar in Philosophy of Language
1/2(3S)

A seminar on philosophical problems about language; topics may include how language represents reality, traditional accounts of meaning, reference, predication and expression.

PHIL 851.3
Seminar in History and Philosophy of Science
1/2(3S)

A seminar on conceptual, epistemological and historical topics in the philosophy of the physical and biological sciences; topics may include the nature of scientific rationality, objectivity, explanation in science, and scientific realism.

PHIL 862.3
Seminar in Social and Political Philosophy
1/2(3S)

Examines a recent topic, political philosopher, movement or theory. Topics studied will vary from year to year.

PHIL 871.3
Seminar in Aesthetics
1/2(3S)

Examines the philosophical problems related to the arts; topics may include the nature of art, meaning and expression in art, and the nature of aesthetic value judgments.

PHIL 990
Seminar

This seminar meets every two weeks throughout both terms of the regular academic year. Under the direction of a faculty member of the department, graduate students study current literature on selected topics and also present papers on their research projects. All graduate students in Philosophy are required to attend this seminar throughout their program and are expected to present at least one paper to the seminar every year.

PHIL 994
Research

All Masters' students must register in this course.

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