Philosophy

Examines philosophical conceptions of moral personhood in a global context, concentrating on the role that abilities and disabilities play in determining who is considered a qualified, morally autonomous agent. Many lifelong and acquired disabilities are known to interfere with persons’ reasoning and communicating abilities. Most ethical theories require that persons be both fully rational and able to communicate in order to garner respect as moral decision makers. Consequently, many persons labelled disabled are denied moral autonomy/the right to self-determination. Globally there is no consensus as to who or what counts as disabled; a cross-cultural perspective is therefore necessary in examining how disability and ability factor in conceptions of moral personhood in ethical theorizing. Course meets general education requirement for values, cross-cultural, and 300/400 level philosophy course. Pre-requisite: PHL 201.

Explores the major philosophical thinkers and movements in Western philosophy from the pre-Socratics to the works of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle as well as the major philosophical thinkers and movements in Western philosophy from St. Augustine in the fifth century to responses to Thomas Aquinas in the 14th and 15th centuries.  Fulfills general education requirement for 300/400-level course. Prerequisites: 200-level philosophy course. [3 credits]

Explores Western philosophic thought from the 17th and 19th centuries through the works of select Continental Rationalists and British Empiricists with a special emphasis on metaphysical and epistemological views. Considers questions (and answers) that dominate 19th and 20th century Western philosophy. Investigates the origins and themes of American pragmatism, Anglo-American philosophy of language, existential-phenomenology, critical theory and postmodernism. Offers an opportunity to make sense of emerging issues and debates in 21st century philosophy. Fulfills general education requirement for 300/400-level course. Prerequisites: 200-level philosophy course. [3 credits]

Explores the place of suicide in the study of philosophy. Voluntary death poses major challenges to philosophy, both the challenge to make sense of what is quite likely the most perplexing of human possibilities, as well as a stark challenge to the validity of the philosophical enterprise in general. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to a wide variety of perspectives on suicide by exploring both first-person accounts provided by the suicidal, as well as some of the most famous contemporary philosophical discussions of suicide. The class will question both the “what” and the “who” of voluntary death, as well as if the discipline of philosophy has claim to a unique relationship to this phenomenon. We will also explore the “application” of these philosophical insights on suicide by acquainting ourselves with the major movements in the contemporary debate in ethics surrounding suicide. Course meets general education requirements for values and for 300/400 level philosophy. Pre-requisite: PHL 201.

Employs a philosophical approach in the study of human sexuality. Specific topics include questions related to sexual orientation, lust, casual sex, adultery, love, sexual preferences, relationships, and the intersectionality of sexual identity with other identities such as race and gender. As we consider these questions, we will challenge assumptions regarding human sexuality, consider the importance of sexuality to a good life, and discuss the appropriate role of the state in human sexual behavior. Meets general education requirements for 300/400 level course in philosophy.

Studies some of the major issues that have intrigued reflective people from time immemorial: How do we know? What is human nature? Is there life after death? Where did the universe originate? We will evaluate replies suggested from the time of Plato to the 20th century. Fulfills general education requirement for 200-level course. [ 3 credits ]

Introduces students to the problematic nature of the statement "our minds control our bodies." Identifies the philosophical and psychological assumptions underlying this statement. Examines the contradictions and unrecognized implications of these assumptions. Explores alternative accounts of what is known, in philosophy and psychology, as mind-body interaction, including accounts that deny the existence of mind, and/or provides alternative models. Prerequisites: IDS-172 or PHL-201 and PSY-101. Fulfills general education requirement in philosophy. [3 credits]

Explores the meaning and nature of human existence. Investigates both classic and contemporary answers to the following questions: Is the person a body or a mind? Are we free or determined? What grounds do we have for belief in God? On what principles do we judge things right or wrong? Why should citizens obey the law? What things do we call art? When can I say "I know"? What is the meaning of life? Prerequisite: 200-level philosophy course. Fulfills general education requirement for 300/400-level course. [ 3 credits ]

Investigates major thinkers and issues in the history of philosophy of religion, including: the attributes and existence of God, the problem of evil, the nature of miracles, survival after death, and other issues. Prerequisites: 200-level philosophy course. Fulfills general education requirement for 300/400-level course. [ 3 credits ]

Analyzes the Judeo-Christian tradition's responses to the problem of evil: If God is all good, all knowing and all powerful, then why is there so much evil and suffering in the world? Prerequisite: 200-level philosophy course. Fulfills general education requirement for 300/400-level course. [ 3 credits ]

This course will address topics in both informal and formal logic, with an emphasis on formal logic. Topics covered will include argument identification and structure, the translation of English statements into propositional form, the use of truth tables, and natural deduction in propositional logic. Fulfills general education requirement for 300/400-level philosophy. [ 3 credits ]

Analyzes the nature and scope of human knowledge. Focuses on the ways in which knowing, believing and having an opinion differ, and investigates the limitations of reason and the boundaries of human understanding. Prerequisite: 200-level philosophy course. Fulfills general education requirement for 300/400-level course. [ 3 credits ]

Examines the origins and justifications of various social and political systems from ancient through contemporary times. Topics addressed may include: The moral justification of particular forms of government, the definition of community and the relationship of the individual to the community, and the importance of race and gender in society. Prerequisite: 200-level philosophy course. Fulfills general education requirements for 300/400-level course and values. [3 credits]

Investigates the meaning and significance of lived, bodily experience in the formation of human consciousness. Evaluates the history of Western Philosophy from the perspective of those who were once seen as marginal to it, and in doing so elucidates the many debates within Feminist Philosophy about the nature and limits of the philosophical enterprise. Prerequisite: 200-level philosophy course. Fulfills general education requirements for 300/400-level course and gender. [ 3 credits ]

Examines the concept of race and the phenomenon of racism in the United States. Topics addressed may include: the concept of race as both constructed and real, the politics of racialized identity, theorizing multiple oppressions, white privilege, and epistemologies of ignorance. Prerequisite: 200-level philosophy course. Fulfills general education requirements for 300/400-level course. [ 3 credits ]

Examines historical and contemporary conceptions of the mind and mental functions. Investigates the ways in which cognitive disabilities, technological advancements, and recent philosophical research are challenging traditional conceptions of mind and mental functioning. Topics to be addressed include: autism and the problem of other minds; artificial intelligence and the limitations of functionalism; epiphenomenalism and the phenomenal mind; modularity of mind and the limits of evolutionary psychology. By studying what a mind is, who and what kinds of things have minds, how minds work and how minds often fail to work, as well as whether it is minds that exist or merely mental content and activity, students develop a deep understanding of the ways science, technology, and philosophy are challenging traditional beliefs about human beings. Pre-requisite: IDS 172 or PHL 201. Fulfills general education requirement in 300-level philosophy.

Introduces contemporary moral issues in light of systems suggested by major thinkers such as Aristotle, J. S. Mill and Kant. Includes considerations of topics such as abortion, euthanasia, cloning and capital punishment. Prerequisite: 200-level philosophy course. Fulfills general education requirements for 300/400-level and values. [ 3 credits ]

Discusses ethics as a dimension of social responsibility, the role of corporate culture in business, and emerging issues in business ethics, such as the ways in which differences will affect ethical decision making. Prerequisite: 200-level philosophy course. Fulfills general education requirements for 300/400-level course and values. [ 3 credits ]

Addresses a variety of challenging issues in environmental ethics. Topics considered may include, among others: the status of non-human animals, farming and the environment, global climate change, inter-generational justice, issues of land use, the preservation of forests and wilderness, and the use and development of energy resources. Through an examination of some of these issues, the course also introduces students to a variety of moral theories, from both philosophical and religious perspectives. The social, gender, and environmental justice implications of ecological issues are a major concern of the course. Fulfills general education requirements for 300/400-level PHL and values. Crosslisted with ENV 336. [ 3 credits ]

Evaluates the traditional foundations of moral theory in the West, with special emphasis on issues in medical ethics. Prerequisites: 200-level philosophy course. Fulfills general education requirements for 300/400-level course and values. [ 3 credits ]

Requires students to examine, in a seminar format, the representations of human flourishing presented in Ancient philosophy and literature. Ancient texts, such as Homer;s Odyssey, Plato's dialogues, Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, and Greek tragedies present myriad understandings of the relationship between moral goodness, luck, and human flourishing. These topics will be studied with a focus on primary texts, hand in hand with contemporary philosophical writings on relevant themes. Prerequisite: Morrissy Scholar or permission and 200-level PHL course. Fulfills general education requirement for 300/400-level philosophy course. [3 credits]

Student designs a research project culminating in a thesis on a philosophical issue. At the end of the semester, the student will give an oral presentation of her thesis to department faculty and students. Prerequisite: philosophy major with senior status, or philosophy major with junior status and at least seven philosophy courses completed, or permission. [ 3 credits ]

Provides an in-depth exploration of a major theme, concept, framework, or idea central to the discipline of philosophy. May be taken twice on different themes. Past themes include: Philosophy of Mind & Disability, Virtue Theory & Anti-Theory. Prerequisite: 200-level philosophy course. Fulfills general education requirements for 300/400-level course. [3 credits]

Provides an in-depth exploration of a major figure or group of figures, either historical or contemporary, central to the discipline of philosophy. Past themes include: Islamic Philosophy, Immanuel Kant, Simone de Beauvoir. May be taken twice on different figures. Prerequisite: 200-level philosophy course. Fulfills general education requirements for 300/400-level course. [3 credits]

A short-term, retreat style learning opportunity that takes place at Kylemore Abbey, the oldest of Irish Benedictine abbeys. Lectures on Ireland's history and geography, its poets and artists, are supplemented by readings in contemporary philosophy and Yoga contemplative practice. Participants will have daily opportunities to gather and reflect on the connections between philosophy, spirituality, and poetry, and are encouraged to bring supplies for expressing their thoughts more creatively (in drawings, paintings, and poetry). Fulfills general education requirement for 300/400-level course. Prerequisite: 200-level philosophy course or permission of instructor. [ 3 credits ]

Provides an opportunity for independent work on an approved topic in philosophy. Prerequisite: 200-level philosophy course; one 300-level course; and permission of instructor. Fulfills general education requirement for 300/400-level course. [ 3 credits ]

Provides an opportunity to explore an area of the student's particular interest under the guidance of a member of the department to permit intensive examination of the area of special interest. Prerequisite: one 200-level philosophy course; one 300-level philosophy course; permission of the instructor. Fulfills general education requirement for 300/400-level course. [ 3 credits ]

Considers the structure and foundations of morality with special emphasis on ethical problems related to death and dying. Prerequisite: PHL-201, Morrissy scholar or permission. Fulfills general education requirement in philosophy and values. [3 credits]