Philosophy
Philosophy is the original academic discipline. Plato’s Academy, founded in BC 387 at a wooded grove near Athens, named after the hero Academos, and continuing for 900 years, is often regarded as the world’s first university. Philosophy as an academic discipline today investigates fundamental questions about the nature of values, physical reality, mind, society, science, logic, ethics, and art.
Philosophy students develop the central skills of literacy: the ability to read with understanding, to write with clarity and precision, and to reason logically and well. While the problems of philosophy are valuable for their own sake, the skills and mental discipline their study repays have broad application in many areas of endeavour in business, public service, and journalism. It is an especially suitable background for professions such as law, medicine, politics, journalism, and theology.
The Department of Philosophy of the College of Arts & Science offers instruction in the central areas of philosophy – metaphysics, the theory of knowledge, the philosophy of science and of mind, ethical and political theory, aesthetics, and logic, as well as instruction in the history of philosophy. It also offers courses applying philosophy to areas of social interest and ethical concern: the environment, sexuality, technology, and medical, professional, and business practices.
Students interested in either a major or minor in philosophy are encouraged to talk to the Department’s undergraduate director for advising. The Department recommends that majors, especially those who are thinking of graduate research, take a variety of 2nd year courses from all three categories in the central areas of philosophy in order to build a strong foundation for upper division courses in the discipline.
The two philosophy departments in the university, the Department in the College of Arts & Science and the Department in St. Thomas More College offer a single degree in philosophy, with each providing a somewhat different program. Students should seek advisement from the department of their major.
Philosophy Courses
Senior Philosophy 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.
300- and 400-level: Unless otherwise specified philosophy courses at the 300- and 400-level require at least 12 credit units in philosophy.
College of Arts & Science
Categories
A- History: PHIL 208.3, 209.3, 210.3, 211.3, 212.3, 213.3, 214.3, 215.3, 218.3, 219.3, 312.3, 313.3, 314.3, 315.3, 319.3, 412.3, 413.3
B- Problems: PHIL 202.3, 227.3, 231.3, 265.3, 281.3, 285.3, 292.3, 294.3, 296.3, 343.3, 347.3, 385.3, 418.3, 446.3, 451.3, 455.3, 481.3, 485.3, 492.3
C- Value: PHIL 224.3, 226.3, 231.3, 233.3, 234.3, 235.3, 236.3, 237.3, 262.3, 271.3, 333.3, 337.3, 362.3, 433.3
Note: PHIL 320 and 420 may count as either
B or
C courses, depending on the topic of the course.
B.A. Four-year Philosophy
Note: No more than 6 credit units from one subject may be used to meet Requirements A1 to A4.
A1 Basic Humanities Requirements (12 credit units)
6 credit units 100-level Philosophy recommended, but not required. For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Humanities in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
A2 Language Requirement (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Languages in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
A3 Natural Science (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Natural Sciences in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
A4 Social Science (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Social Sciences in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
A5 Elective (6 credit units)
6 credit units selected from the areas of Social Sciences, Natural Science or Fine Arts.
A6 Major Requirements (36 credit units)
Of the total 36 credit units Philosophy required no more than 6 credit units 100-level Philosophy with senior courses selected as per the following requirements:
6 credit units from each of categories A, B, and C.
At least 12 credit units must be at the 300 level or higher.
PHIL 241.3 or CMPT 260.3 (Students are encouraged to take PHIL 241 or CMPT 260 in their second year; although it is not a prerequisite to senior courses in philosophy, the knowledge of logic will be of value in many upper-year philosophy courses.)
PHIL 420.3 recommended course to be taken in the fourth year.
A7 Electives Requirement
Courses to complete the requirements for 120 credit unit Four-year program. Of the 120 credit units required at least 66 must be at the 200-level or higher and no more than 60 in one subject.
B.A. Three-year Philosophy
Note: No more than 6 credit units from one subject may be used to meet Requirements A1 to A4.
A1 Basic Humanities Requirements (12 credit units)
6 credit units 100-level Philosophy recommended, but not required. Of the 12 credit units chosen from the Humanities, at most 6 credit units in one subject. For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Humanities in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
A2 Language Requirement (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Languages in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
A3 Natural Science (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Natural Sciences in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
A4 Social Science (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Social Sciences in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
A5 Elective (6 credit units)
6 credit units selected from the areas of Social Sciences, Natural Science or Fine Arts.
A6 Major Requirements (30 credit units)
Of the total 30 credit units Philosophy required no more than 6 credit units 100-level Philosophy with senior courses selected as per the following requirements:
6 credit units from each of categories A, B, and C.
At least 6 credit units must be at the 300 level or higher.
PHIL 241.3 or CMPT 260.3 (Students are encouraged to take PHIL 241 or CMPT 260 in their second year; although it is not a prerequisite to senior courses in philosophy, the knowledge of logic will be of value in many upper-year philosophy courses.)
A7 Electives
Courses to complete the requirements for 90 credit unit Three-year program. Of the 90 credit units required at least 42 must be at the 200-level or higher and no more than 42 in one subject.
B.A. Honours Philosophy
Note: No more than 6 credit units from one subject may be used to meet Requirements A1 to A4.
A1 Basic Humanities Requirement (12 credit units)
6 credit units 100-level Philosophy recommended, but not required. Of the 12 credit units chosen from the Humanities, at most 6 credit units in one subject. For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Humanities in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
A2 Language Requirement (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Languages in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar. A3 Natural Science (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Natural Sciences in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
A4 Social Science (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Social Sciences in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
A5 Elective (6 credit units)
6 credit units selected from the areas of Social Sciences, Natural Science or Fine Arts.
A6 Major Requirements (48 to 60 credit units)
Of the total 48 to 60 credit units Philosophy required no more than 6 credit units 100-level Philosophy with senior courses selected as per the following requirements:
PHIL 241.3, 420.3.
9 credit units from each of categories A, B, and C.
At least 18 credit units (including PHIL 420.3) must be at the 300 level or higher.
Students considering graduate work in philosophy are strongly urged to plan their programs with a faculty advisor.
A7 Electives Electives as required, subject to the condition that of the 120 credit units required for the degree, Courses to complete the requirements for 120 credit unit Four-year program. Of the 120 credit units required at least 66 must be at the 200-level or higher and no more than 60 in one subject.
Double Honours Programs
Various Double Honours programs involving philosophy and another subject are permissible. The student should contact both departments concerned. Students will take at least 36 credit units in philosophy including 6 credit units from each of categories A, B and C. Students are required to take PHIL 241.3 or CMPT 260.3 and PHIL 420.3. At least 12 credit units, including PHIL 420.3, must be at the 300-level or higher. The courses chosen must also be acceptable to the other department in which the student is doing honours work.
Minor in Philosophy
A minor program in Philosophy, consisting of 24 credit units of Philosophy, can be taken in conjunction with any major or honours program in another subject area. A Minor in Philosophy represents a basic level of engagement with and competence in abstract and critical reasoning that is regarded as a useful background for other academic or professional programs.
Minor in Philosophy, Science and Biotechnology
The new Minor in Philosophy, Science, and Biotechnology provides basic cross-disciplinary grounding in thought pertaining to the nature of biotechnology, its social impact, and the ethical issues it engenders.
The Minor may be completed in conjunction with any Three-year, Four-year or Honours degree subject to the following conditions:
- Students may receive recognition for only one of the Department of Philosophy’s minor programs;
- The minor must include a minimum of 18 credit units of courses not used to satisfy the major requirements of the student’s degree.
Program Requirements: PHIL 226.3 or PHIL 234.3, PHIL 236.3, PHIL 251.3, BTEC 200.3, BTEC 300.3, and another 9 credit units, with at least 6 credit units above the 200-level, drawn from PHIL 226.3 or PHIL 234.3, PHIL 451.3, PHIL 455.3, BTEC 301.3, BTEC 400.3, AGEC 292.3, COMM 346.3, SOC 292.3, and SOC 323.3. The Department of Philosophy may, on an occasional basis, designate additional eligible elective courses; consult the Department Head for information.
Minor in Philosophy, Science and Technology
The Minor in Philosophy, Science, and Technology provides basic cross-disciplinary grounding in thought pertaining to the origins, nature, ethical dimensions, and social impact of science and technology. The Minor may be completed in conjunction with any Three-year, Four-year or Honours degree subject to the following conditions:
- Students may receive recognition for only one of the Department of Philosophy’s minor programs;
- The minor must include a minimum of 18 credit units of courses not used to satisfy the major requirements of the student’s degree.
Program Requirements: PHIL 226.3, PHIL 236.3, PHIL 251.3, and another 15 credit units, with at least 6 credit units above the 200-level, drawn from PHIL 234.3, PHIL 451.3, PHIL 455.3, HIST 283.3, HIST 284.3, HIST 383.3, HIST 483.6, RLST 375.3, SOC 292.3, and SOC 323.3. The Department of Philosophy may, on an occasional basis, designate additional eligible elective courses; consult the Department Head for information.
St. Thomas More College
B.A. Four-year Philosophy
Thirty-six credit units in philosophy including at least 30 in senior courses with at least 9 credit units at the 300-level or higher. Students are required to take PHIL 240.3 and are encouraged to take PHIL 404.3 in their fourth year.
B.A. Three-year Philosophy
Thirty credit units in philosophy including at least 24 in senior courses, with at least 6 credit units at the 300 level or higher. Students are recommended to take PHIL 240.3.
B.A. Honours Philosophy
Students admitted to an Honours Program in Philosophy will take from 48 to 60 credit units in philosophy. Students are required to take PHIL 240.3 and 404.3. At least 12 credit units must be at the 300 level or higher. Students considering honours must consult the Head of the Department in St. Thomas More College as soon as possible about these courses.
The following progression of courses is recommended as part of the required credit units in philosophy:
Year 1 PHIL 110.6, or PHIL 120.3 and 133.3
Year 2 PHIL 204.3, 208.3, 209.3, 210.3, 211.3, 230.3, 234.3, 240.3, 296.3
Year 3 PHIL 213.3, 214.3, 215.3, 219.3, 231.3, 294.3
Year 4 PHIL 396.6, 404.3, 412.3, 413.3
Double Honours Programs
Various double honours programs involving philosophy and another subject are permissible. The student should consult the heads of the departments concerned. A student in St. Thomas More College will take PHIL 110.6 and 30 other credit units in philosophy, including 12 credit units at the 300 level or higher, chosen in consultation with the Head of the Department in this College. PHIL 240.3 and 404.3 are required. The courses chosen must also be acceptable to the other department in which the student is going to do honours work. The student must also take 36 credit units in the other discipline.
Philosophy Course Equivalents
Note: PHIL 110, 120, 133 and 140 have no prerequisites and are suitable for first year students.
PHIL 202, 203, 224, 230, 231, 233, 234, 235, 236, 240, 294 may be taken by students who have had no previous courses in philosophy but who have completed 24 credit units at the University. In addition PHIL 233, 251, 262, 271 and 296 may be taken by students who do not have 6 credit units in philosophy, though these courses all have prerequisites.
A bulletin listing all courses offered in the current academic year is available at the Department office, Room 619 Arts Building, and the Department office in St. Thomas More College.
Course sections are designated as STM sections in the online
Course Offerings.