Philosophy
| PHIL 101 | Introductory Philosophy: Ethics | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| An introduction to both ethical theory and applied ethics. The emphasis of the course varies among instructors, with all focusing to some extent on improving moral reasoning. The course covers the following issues: (a) What makes right actions right and wrong actions wrong? Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and virtue ethics are usually considered. (b) Why should I be moral, rather than merely self-interested? (c) In what sense, if any, are moral values objective? (d) If any of the following are wrong, what makes them wrong: private wealth, deception, capital punishment, euthanasia, assisted-suicide, meat-eating, abortion, cloning, polygamy, etc? (e) What are our moral obligations to children, the frail and elderly, future generations, and other species? | ||
| PHIL 102 | Introductory Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| An introduction to the part of philosophy concerned with questions about the ultimate nature of the world we live in and our knowledge of it (traditionally called Metaphysics and Epistemology). The issues discussed include: the existence and nature of God, the place of human beings in the universe, the nature of reality, human nature, human knowledge and skepticism, freedom and determinism, and the relationship between mind and body. The emphasis of the course varies from instructor to instructor. | ||
| PHIL 110 | Critical Thinking | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| An introduction to the basic rules of clear and rational thought. The student will be taught, through extensive examples, how to detect false reasoning, illegitimate appeals to emotions, inconsistencies and contradictions. The goal is to develop our logical awareness to the point that we can no longer be victimized by the rhetoric of everyday life, and can develop our own arguments with clarity and confidence. At the instructor's discretion, the course may introduce students to classical syllogistic logic. | ||
| Note: PHIL 120 is a natural continuation of this course and is recommended for those who want a thorough introduction to the concepts and principles of rational thought. | ||
| Note: Approved Quantitative/Analytical Reasoning Course | ||
| PHIL 117 | Philosophy of Religion | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Are there any good reasons for believing in God? Is there a conflict between faith and reason? What is fundamentalism? Is spirituality important for human flourishing? This course begins by examining the major arguments for theism. These include the teleological argument, the cosmological argument, the ontological argument, the argument from religious experience, the moral argument, and the cumulative case argument. The arguments are flawed, but they help us understand religious attitudes towards the limits of human knowledge, the nature of reality, the nature of persons, the objectivity of moral values, and questions such as why there is something rather than nothing. Arguments for atheism are also examined, including the problem of evil and reductive accounts of religious belief. The popular views of Richard Dawkins and other neo-atheists are introduced, as well as the claim that these writers fail to distinguish between informed religiosity and uninformed fundamentalism. In addition, the voluntarism of William James and the reformed epistemology of Alvin Plantinga are considered. These non-evidentialist positions are contrasted with the evidentialism of theists such as Richard Swinburne and atheists such as John Mackie. Finally, the possibility of religion without metaphysics is explored. The course is relevant to all, with or without religious faith. The emphasis of the course varies from instructor to instructor. | ||
| PHIL 120 | Scientific Reasoning | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| This course focuses attention on the analysis and evaluation of inductive arguments. We begin by exploring the basic principles of inductive reasoning and then utilize these principles to explore such topics as rational decision making, the nature and testing of scientific theories in both the natural and social sciences and the difference between causal relations and correlations. Attention will also be given to the fallacies involved in the appeal to polls and statistics. | ||
| Note: There are no prerequisites, but the course is a natural continuation of PHIL 110, and will appeal especially to students who have an interest in either the natural or social sciences. | ||
| Note: Approved Quantitative/Analytical Reasoning Course | ||
| PHIL 140 | Philosophy and Law: Introduction to Canadian Law | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| A general introduction to the fundamental principles of jurisprudence and to the basic legal institutions of Canada. The course addresses such philosophical topics as what a law is; whether it is what legislators say it is or what courts say it is; and how to determine whether a law is good or bad. It also examines the history and theory of Canadian law (including the development of the Canadian Constitution), the system of Canadian courts, and the roles of members of the legal profession. Consideration is given to the nature of legal reasoning, the doctrine of precedent, and principles of statutory interpretation. An introduction is provided to the fields of contract, torts, administrative and family law, and the process of law reform. | ||
| PHIL 141 | Philosophy and Law: Introduction to Criminal Justice System | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| An introduction to an analysis of theories of punishment and rehabilitation through an examination of the operational practices of the Canadian criminal justice system. In the course of studying the structure and operations of the criminal justice system in its various stages from the moment of initial police involvement to the correctional disposition of convicted offenders, the course focuses on both theoretical and practical decision making. Theoretical concerns include: individual civil liberties in relation to police procedures, notions of evidence, sentencing theory, and current correctional strategies. | ||
| Note: The above two courses are modelled on SFU's Criminology 131/135 and are intended for both philosophy students and those interested in pursuing further studies in the field of criminology. | ||
| PHIL 150 | History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval | |
| 3.00 credits | (3,0,1) hrs | 15 wks |
| This course covers the history of philosophy from the mythopoeic traditions of Homer and Hesiod to the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas and the end of the mediaeval era. Among the other philosophers to be examined are Plato, Aristotle and Augustine. The focus will be on the metaphysical and epistemological views that have shaped the European intellectual heritage. We will also examine the extent to which Christianity has given shape to the peculiar character of philosophy in the medieval era. | ||
| Note: This course is intended to appeal to a broad audience. Anyone with an interest in the intellectual traditions of European heritage is welcome. | ||
| PHIL 151 | History of Philosophy: Modern | |
| 3.00 credits | (3,0,1) hrs | 15 wks |
| This course covers the history of philosophy from the Renaissance to the middle of the 20th Century. We shall examine the views of such prominent figures as Descartes, Spinoza, Locke, Hume, Kant and Sartre. Throughout, the focus will be on the metaphysical and epistemological views that have given shape to the European intellectual tradition. We will also examine the emergence of science and its method and the extent to which it has been shaped by, and given shape to, philosophical thought during this period. | ||
| Note: This course is intended to appeal to a broad audience. Anyone with an interest in the intellectual traditions of European heritage is welcome. | ||
| PHIL 200 | Political Philosophy: Classic Theories | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| This course surveys major political theories in the Western tradition. It introduces students to the principal issues in political philosophy by looking at the writings of some of history's most important philosophers, possibly including Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, and Marx. The general question addressed is: How should society be organized? In considering answers to this question we investigate the grounds for political and social structures like the state, government, laws, property, and principles of justice. | ||
| PHIL 201 | Political Philosophy: Problems and Issues | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| This course adopts a problems and issues approach to political philosophy. Rather than focusing on particular philosophers in the history of political thought (as in PHIL 200), we consider answers to some of the most pressing questions facing political theorists. Topics addressed might include: the justification of authority; the value and limits of rights; liberty and equality; the advantages and disadvantages of democracy; the nature and scope of justice; and nationalism and globalization. A contemporary perspective will be emphasized. | ||
| PHIL 202 | Introduction to Formal Logic | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| A standard introduction to the formal techniques of argument analysis. Formal logic was invented to mirror and evaluate mathematical reasoning and is now a separate branch of Mathematics. Our interest in it will, however, not be mathematical. Instead we will concentrate on the relation of formal logic to everyday reasoning and language in general. The course is essential for students thinking of majoring in Philosophy, but also very useful to Computing Science and Mathematics majors. It is designed to transfer to SFU as their Philosophy 210 (required for both Philosophy and Computing Science majors), and to UBC as Philosophy 302. There are no prerequisites, although students may find Philosophy 110 provides useful background. Please note that this is not an introductory philosophy course, but one which introduces mathematical methods of argument analysis. It is not suitable for students merely seeking a general understanding of what philosophy has to offer. | ||
| PHIL 207 | Business Ethics | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| This course is an introduction to contemporary philosophical thinking on ethical issues in business. It covers such topics as the power of multinational corporations, bribery and extortion in international business, the ethics of hiring practices, advertising and behaviour control, the conflict between employee loyalty and moral independence, and the responsibilities of corporations and business professionals. The course will also introduce students to a number of classical ethical theories and theories of economic justice. Open to anyone in first or second year. | ||
| PHIL 208 | Environmental Ethics | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| This course deals with ethical and political issues arising from the relationship between humans and their natural surroundings. Typical questions that will be addressed are: Do animals have rights? Is using animals for food and clothing morally wrong? Do we have an obligation to the natural environment such as an obligation to preserve species? What are our obligations to future generations? What is sustainable development? Are environmental problems fundamentally personal or are they fundamentally political and social? Open to anyone in first or second year. | ||
| PHIL 209 | Biomedical Ethics | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| This course will focus on ethical issues that arise in the health sciences, especially in medicine, but also in biology, psychology and other professions. Among the topics to be considered are abortion and reproductive technology, euthanasia, paternalism and autonomy, resource allocation, involuntary hospitalization and behaviour control. All moral problems will be examined from both an applied and theoretical point of view. Open to anyone in first or second year. | ||
| PHIL 211 | Metaphysics and Epistemology | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: At least one philosophy course | ||
| An introduction to some of the traditional problems of metaphysics and epistemology. Some of the questions considered are: Does God exist? What is the relationship between faith and reason? Does free will exist? Is sense perception a reliable source of knowledge? What is the nature of causality? Is materialism true? What is the nature of mind? What is the relationship between mind and body? What is the scientific method? While this is not a course in the history of philosophy, it will cover many of the classical attempts to answer these questions. | ||
| Note: The specific content and emphasis of the course will be at the instructor's discretion. | ||
| Note: Prerequisite may be waived by permission of instructor. | ||
| PHIL 220 | Philosophy in Literature | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| An examination of the lively relationship between philosophy and literature. Philosophical theories will be approached and discussed via literary work which either embodies the theories or grounds them in human experience. Textual sources will range from the classical Greek plays to last month's best seller. Open to anyone in first or second year. | ||
| PHIL 221 | Existentialism in Literature | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| This course is, in spirit, a continuation of PHIL 220, but it is centred on the Philosophy of Existentialism in literature. There will be an introductory set of lectures on Existentialism as a philosophy. Textual sources will range from Dostoyevsky's 'Notes from the Underground' to Sartre's 'Nausea'. Open to anyone in first or second year. | ||
| PHIL 222 | Philosophy of Culture (Aesthetics) | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| An introduction to philosophical analysis of cultural works. The course will provide an exploration of aesthetic theory, examining both traditional works of art as well as contemporary cultural productions in a variety of media. One of the objectives of the course is to make sense of what a society is "saying" through its popular culture. Open to anyone in first or second year. | ||
| PHIL 230 | Minds, Brains, and Machines | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| This course is an introduction to contemporary philosophy of mind. We will investigate the major philosophical theories of mind, but consider also if or how recent developments in neuroscience, biology, psychology, and the study of artificial intelligence influence the philosophical evaluation of these theories. Philosophy of mind is not psychology (although obviously there are connections). Rather, it is the attempt to understand what mental phenomena are and how they might relate to the physical (or material) realm. In the course, we will address questions like the following. What is the nature of mental states? What is the relationship between the mind and the body? Will a physical explanation of consciousness explain consciousness? Are 'zombies' possible? Is the brain just a computer? Is genuine artificial intelligence possible? | ||
| PHIL 240 | Philosophy and Gender Relations | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Founded on a wide range of philosophical readings, this course will focus on questions such as: What is the good life and its relation to intimacy and family? What is the good person? Are there different models for different genders? What constitutes a good relationship? How important are mutuality, respect, affection, sex, and interdependence to such a relationship? What counts as equality/equity? How should the answers to such questions influence our views on such social issues as affirmative action, prostitution and pornography? | ||
| The impact of "Women's Liberation" and the "Men's Movement" will be discussed, as will varying suggestions for overcoming the "gender gap". This course should be of interest to men and women equally; indeed, it is assumed that the quality of class discussion will be a function of the degree to which the perspectives of both genders are well represented. Open to anyone in first or second year. | ||
| PHIL 242 | Philosophy of Human Nature | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| This course tackles a broad spectrum of questions and approaches the issue of human nature. Among the questions to be considered are: Are we, by nature, morally good or evil? Are we purely egocentric beings-biological machines of some sort - or are we spiritual, immaterial beings? Is there some enduring entity that defines the self? Are we free to do as we choose? Or are we essentially passionate creatures who act strictly on the basis of our feelings? Ultimately, our goal will be to learn to think critically and independently about these issues. | ||
| PHIL 301 | Ethics and the Meaning of Life | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 45 lower level credits including PHIL 101 | ||
| This course examines recent philosophical literature on what makes human lives significant and important. It considers naturalist, supernaturalist, non-naturalist, and nihilist perspectives. It asks in what sense moral virtue and spirituality are central to a meaningful life. It also asks if meaning is threatened by scientific explanations of virtues and values, and if the seriousness with which we take our projects is in some sense absurd. | ||
| PHIL 302 | Knowledge and Truth | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 45 lower level credits including PHIL 102 and one additional PHIL 100 or 200-level course | ||
| This course deals with a core area of philosophy - the theory of knowledge: epistemology. Epistemology deals with knowledge in its most general terms - its nature, scope, and limits. Central questions addressed include: What is knowledge? What does it take for a belief to be justified? Does justification depend on providing some reason supporting the belief, or can we know something without know that (or how) we know it? This course will examine these and related questions through a selection of papers and articles from many of the key figures in epistemology, focusing primarily on the arguments of epistemologists in contemporary debate. | ||
| PHIL 305 | Philosophy Through Film | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 45 lower level credits including two lower-division PHIL courses | ||
| This course examines and evaluates central philosophical themes and problems by means of the visual medium of film. Philosophical topics examined through the medium of film are as broad and varied as philosophy itself, but themes that have been more extensively explored include the nature of personal identity, what it is to be human, the existence and limits of free will, the existence of God, the meaning of life, as well as a wide array of issues in ethics and political philosophy. Philosophical texts and essays will be integrated with the viewing of the films in order to bring additional focus and depth to the philosophical examination of the films. Specific films and readings assigned will vary from instructor to instructor. | ||
| PHIL 306 | Family Ethics | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 45 lower level credits including two lower division PHIL courses | ||
| Founded on a wide range of philosophical readings, this course will focus on a range of questions within the field of family ethics such as monogamy, divorce, adultery, and sexual orientation and how they related to what might be considered optimal family structure; the ethics of bearing children, the obligations and rights involved in parenting in juxtaposition to the rights of the child; and the duties of grown children to their parents. | ||
| PHIL 320 | Philosophy of Science | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 45 lower level credits including 6 credits of lower level PHIL | ||
| This course is a general but comprehensive survey of the philosophical study of science and social implications of scientific understanding. It has the principle aim of addressing how we developed our scientific understanding of the world, what the understanding amounts to, what impacts it has on our understanding of ourselves and our place in the surrounding place, and what judgments might follow from this understanding. | ||
| Note: PHIL 102 recommended | ||
| PHIL 430 | Philosophy of Mind | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 45 lower level credits including 6 credits of lower level PHIL courses, one of which must be PHIL 102 or 230 | ||
| This course surveys some of the key issues in contemporary philosophy of mind. Philosophy if mind is the attempt to understand what mental phenomena are, and how they relate to the physical (or material) realm. More generally, it is the attempt to understand what we are - that is, are we merely physical things, or are we both physical and mental (or spiritual)? Specific area covered will vary from instructor to instructor. | ||
| PHIL 490 | Directed Studies | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 15 upper level credits including a minimum of one 300-level PHIL course | ||
| Students will work with a Philosophy faculty member to guide them in the development of a research-based project. Specific course details will be arranged between individual students and faculty members. See the Department of Philosophy website for complete details on the application process. | ||