Undergraduate
The Department of Philosophy offers a major and a minor. It is also possible to pursue a combined major in Philosophy and African American Studies. The Honors candidate can graduate Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Summa Cum Laude in Philosophy. The Harold Hantz Scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding student majoring in philosophy.
May Intersession (05/11/2026-05/22/2026)
MTWRFS 12:00-3:45pm
Instructor: McMullen
An examination of such philosophical topics as the existence of God, the nature of the human mind, the relationship between appearance and reality, the forms and limits of human knowledge, freedom of will, and standards of right and wrong. This course is well within the reach of students on all levels, including freshmen, and is exciting, useful, and challenging. No prerequisites.
MTWRFS 12:00-3:45pm
Instructor: McMullen
An examination of such philosophical topics as the existence of God, the nature of the human mind, the relationship between appearance and reality, the forms and limits of human knowledge, freedom of will, and standards of right and wrong. This course is well within the reach of students on all levels, including freshmen, and is exciting, useful, and challenging. No prerequisites.
May Intersession (05/11/2026-05/22/2026)
MTWRFS 9:00 am-12:45 pm
Instructor: Stevens
An examination of such philosophical topics as the existence of God, the nature of the human mind, the relationship between appearance and reality, the forms and limits of human knowledge, freedom of will, and standards of right and wrong. This course is well within the reach of students on all levels, including freshmen, and is exciting, useful, and challenging. No prerequisites.
MTWRFS 9:00 am-12:45 pm
Instructor: Stevens
An examination of such philosophical topics as the existence of God, the nature of the human mind, the relationship between appearance and reality, the forms and limits of human knowledge, freedom of will, and standards of right and wrong. This course is well within the reach of students on all levels, including freshmen, and is exciting, useful, and challenging. No prerequisites.
May Intersession (05/11/2026-05/22/2026)
MTWRFS 12:00-3:45pm
Instructor: Attwood
An examination of such philosophical topics as the existence of God, the nature of the human mind, the relationship between appearance and reality, the forms and limits of human knowledge, freedom of will, and standards of right and wrong. This course is well within the reach of students on all levels, including freshmen, and is exciting, useful, and challenging. No prerequisites.
MTWRFS 12:00-3:45pm
Instructor: Attwood
An examination of such philosophical topics as the existence of God, the nature of the human mind, the relationship between appearance and reality, the forms and limits of human knowledge, freedom of will, and standards of right and wrong. This course is well within the reach of students on all levels, including freshmen, and is exciting, useful, and challenging. No prerequisites.
Summer Session 1, 1st 5 Weeks (05/26/2026- 06/26/2026)
MTWRF 11:00am-12:30pm
Instructor: Purdy
An examination of such philosophical topics as the existence of God, the nature of the human mind, the relationship between appearance and reality, the forms and limits of human knowledge, freedom of will, and standards of right and wrong. This course is well within the reach of students on all levels, including freshmen, and is exciting, useful, and challenging. No prerequisites.
MTWRF 11:00am-12:30pm
Instructor: Purdy
An examination of such philosophical topics as the existence of God, the nature of the human mind, the relationship between appearance and reality, the forms and limits of human knowledge, freedom of will, and standards of right and wrong. This course is well within the reach of students on all levels, including freshmen, and is exciting, useful, and challenging. No prerequisites.
Summer Session 1, 1st 5 Weeks (05/26/2026- 06/26/2026)
MTWRF 11:00am-12:30pm
Instructor: Boothe
This course is aimed at developing analytic skills, linguistic skills, and the ability to reason accurately; it offers a rigorous, systematic account of several methods of testing arguments for deductive validity, an introduction to the theory of inductive inference, and a comprehensive examination of informal fallacies. No prerequisites.
MTWRF 11:00am-12:30pm
Instructor: Boothe
This course is aimed at developing analytic skills, linguistic skills, and the ability to reason accurately; it offers a rigorous, systematic account of several methods of testing arguments for deductive validity, an introduction to the theory of inductive inference, and a comprehensive examination of informal fallacies. No prerequisites.
Summer Session 2, 2nd 5 Weeks (06/29/2026- 07/31/2026)
MTWRF 11:00am-12:30pm
Instructor: Gregory
An examination of such philosophical topics as the existence of God, the nature of the human mind, the relationship between appearance and reality, the forms and limits of human knowledge, freedom of will, and standards of right and wrong. This course is well within the reach of students on all levels, including freshmen, and is exciting, useful, and challenging. No prerequisites.
MTWRF 11:00am-12:30pm
Instructor: Gregory
An examination of such philosophical topics as the existence of God, the nature of the human mind, the relationship between appearance and reality, the forms and limits of human knowledge, freedom of will, and standards of right and wrong. This course is well within the reach of students on all levels, including freshmen, and is exciting, useful, and challenging. No prerequisites.
Summer Session 2, 2nd 5 Weeks (06/29/2026- 07/31/2026)
MTWRF3:00-4:30pm
Instructor: Herold
This course is a systematic and comprehensive treatment of freedom and determinism, ethical relativism, standards of right and wrong, and meaning and validity of ethical statements. No prerequisites.
MTWRF3:00-4:30pm
Instructor: Herold
This course is a systematic and comprehensive treatment of freedom and determinism, ethical relativism, standards of right and wrong, and meaning and validity of ethical statements. No prerequisites.
Summer Session 2, 2nd 5 Weeks (06/29/2026- 07/31/2026)
MTWRF 9:15-10:45am
Instructor: Stevens
This course explores the moral standards, responsibilities, and duties of professionals, such as accountants, architects, engineers, journalists, lawyers, physicians, scientists, and teachers. We will scrutinize the obligations of professionals towards their clients and towards third parties. While we will examine cases that come up in "real life," we will intersperse our study with explorations of common philosophical theories of moral obligation, rights, and justice. Since this is a philosophy course, we will consider various views with an eye toward critical assessment instead of blind acceptance. No prerequisites.
MTWRF 9:15-10:45am
Instructor: Stevens
This course explores the moral standards, responsibilities, and duties of professionals, such as accountants, architects, engineers, journalists, lawyers, physicians, scientists, and teachers. We will scrutinize the obligations of professionals towards their clients and towards third parties. While we will examine cases that come up in "real life," we will intersperse our study with explorations of common philosophical theories of moral obligation, rights, and justice. Since this is a philosophy course, we will consider various views with an eye toward critical assessment instead of blind acceptance. No prerequisites.
August Intersession (8/03/2026-8/14/2026)
MTWRFS 12:00-3:45pm
Instructor: Friesacher
An examination of such philosophical topics as the existence of God, the nature of the human mind, the relationship between appearance and reality, the forms and limits of human knowledge, freedom of will, and standards of right and wrong. This course is well within the reach of students on all levels, including freshmen, and is exciting, useful, and challenging. No prerequisites.
MTWRFS 12:00-3:45pm
Instructor: Friesacher
An examination of such philosophical topics as the existence of God, the nature of the human mind, the relationship between appearance and reality, the forms and limits of human knowledge, freedom of will, and standards of right and wrong. This course is well within the reach of students on all levels, including freshmen, and is exciting, useful, and challenging. No prerequisites.
August Intersession (8/03/2026-8/14/2026)
MTWRFS 12:00-3:45pm
Instructor: Purdy
This course is a systematic and comprehensive treatment of freedom and determinism, ethical relativism, standards of right and wrong, and meaning and validity of ethical statements. No prerequisites.
MTWRFS 12:00-3:45pm
Instructor: Purdy
This course is a systematic and comprehensive treatment of freedom and determinism, ethical relativism, standards of right and wrong, and meaning and validity of ethical statements. No prerequisites.
August Intersession (8/03/2026-8/14/2026)
MTWRFS 12:00-3:45pm
Instructor: Ward
This course explores the moral standards, responsibilities, and duties of professionals, such as accountants, architects, engineers, journalists, lawyers, physicians, scientists, and teachers. We will scrutinize the obligations of professionals towards their clients and towards third parties. While we will examine cases that come up in "real life," we will intersperse our study with explorations of common philosophical theories of moral obligation, rights, and justice. Since this is a philosophy course, we will consider various views with an eye toward critical assessment instead of blind acceptance. No prerequisites.
MTWRFS 12:00-3:45pm
Instructor: Ward
This course explores the moral standards, responsibilities, and duties of professionals, such as accountants, architects, engineers, journalists, lawyers, physicians, scientists, and teachers. We will scrutinize the obligations of professionals towards their clients and towards third parties. While we will examine cases that come up in "real life," we will intersperse our study with explorations of common philosophical theories of moral obligation, rights, and justice. Since this is a philosophy course, we will consider various views with an eye toward critical assessment instead of blind acceptance. No prerequisites.
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
This course is a practical, "hands-on" tutorial in sound reasoning, critical thinking, and the careful evaluation of evidence and rhetoric. The course will utilize a range of real-world sources (television, Internet, magazines, etc.) and will be informed in content and method by the psychology of human judgment. The first component of the course is introductorylevel deductive logic. The second component is discovery: drawing conclusions about unobserved facts from data about directly observed facts. Discovery comprises not just science, but empirical theory construction more generally. The third component is concerned with rhetoric: the use of arguments to convince others. The focus here is not on developing the students’ rhetorical skills but helping them to resist the rhetorical skills of others. The result of the course should be students who reason better. No prerequisites.
This course is a practical, "hands-on" tutorial in sound reasoning, critical thinking, and the careful evaluation of evidence and rhetoric. The course will utilize a range of real-world sources (television, Internet, magazines, etc.) and will be informed in content and method by the psychology of human judgment. The first component of the course is introductorylevel deductive logic. The second component is discovery: drawing conclusions about unobserved facts from data about directly observed facts. Discovery comprises not just science, but empirical theory construction more generally. The third component is concerned with rhetoric: the use of arguments to convince others. The focus here is not on developing the students’ rhetorical skills but helping them to resist the rhetorical skills of others. The result of the course should be students who reason better. No prerequisites.
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
An examination of such philosophical topics as the existence of God, the nature of the human mind, the relationship between appearance and reality, the forms and limits of human knowledge, freedom of will, and standards of right and wrong. This course is well within the reach of students on all levels, including freshmen, and is exciting, useful, and challenging. No prerequisites.
An examination of such philosophical topics as the existence of God, the nature of the human mind, the relationship between appearance and reality, the forms and limits of human knowledge, freedom of will, and standards of right and wrong. This course is well within the reach of students on all levels, including freshmen, and is exciting, useful, and challenging. No prerequisites.
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
The aim of this course is to introduce the student to some of the central problems discussed by prominent philosophers of both the past and present, to critically examine fundamental beliefs and concepts, and to develop in the student an interest and ability in thinking philosophically, expressing such thought clearly, comprehending philosophical works and positions, and reasoning intelligently about pivotal questions. Students must be Four Year Scholars or in a departmental honors program or have the permission of the Philosophy Department Chair in order to enroll
The aim of this course is to introduce the student to some of the central problems discussed by prominent philosophers of both the past and present, to critically examine fundamental beliefs and concepts, and to develop in the student an interest and ability in thinking philosophically, expressing such thought clearly, comprehending philosophical works and positions, and reasoning intelligently about pivotal questions. Students must be Four Year Scholars or in a departmental honors program or have the permission of the Philosophy Department Chair in order to enroll
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
This course is a systematic and comprehensive treatment of freedom and determinism, ethical relativism, standards of right and wrong, and meaning and validity of ethical statements. No prerequisites.
This course is a systematic and comprehensive treatment of freedom and determinism, ethical relativism, standards of right and wrong, and meaning and validity of ethical statements. No prerequisites.
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
This course is aimed at developing analytic skills, linguistic skills, and the ability to reason accurately; it offers a rigorous, systematic account of several methods of testing arguments for deductive validity, an introduction to the theory of inductive inference, and a comprehensive examination of informal fallacies. No prerequisites.
This course is aimed at developing analytic skills, linguistic skills, and the ability to reason accurately; it offers a rigorous, systematic account of several methods of testing arguments for deductive validity, an introduction to the theory of inductive inference, and a comprehensive examination of informal fallacies. No prerequisites.
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
The centerpiece of this course will be an examination of different views on what human nature is like. We will look at questions like ‘Do humans act freely?’ and ‘Do humans only act on selfish motives?’ and ‘What separates humans from other animals or artificially intelligent devices?’. But we will also investigate different questions surrounding these views on human nature: what makes life meaningful, what makes life worthwhile, what makes our lives good? We will look at various answers to these questions as well. No prerequisites.
The centerpiece of this course will be an examination of different views on what human nature is like. We will look at questions like ‘Do humans act freely?’ and ‘Do humans only act on selfish motives?’ and ‘What separates humans from other animals or artificially intelligent devices?’. But we will also investigate different questions surrounding these views on human nature: what makes life meaningful, what makes life worthwhile, what makes our lives good? We will look at various answers to these questions as well. No prerequisites.
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
Instructor: Stevens
This course explores the moral standards, responsibilities, and duties of professionals, such as accountants, architects, engineers, journalists, lawyers, physicians, scientists, and teachers. We will scrutinize the obligations of professionals towards their clients and towards third parties. While we will examine cases that come up in "real life," we will intersperse our study with explorations of common philosophical theories of moral obligation, rights, and justice. Since this is a philosophy course, we will consider various views with an eye toward critical assessment instead of blind acceptance. No prerequisites.
Instructor: Stevens
This course explores the moral standards, responsibilities, and duties of professionals, such as accountants, architects, engineers, journalists, lawyers, physicians, scientists, and teachers. We will scrutinize the obligations of professionals towards their clients and towards third parties. While we will examine cases that come up in "real life," we will intersperse our study with explorations of common philosophical theories of moral obligation, rights, and justice. Since this is a philosophy course, we will consider various views with an eye toward critical assessment instead of blind acceptance. No prerequisites.
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
Instructor: Stevens
This course will explore ethical issues involving life, death, and medicine. Topics may include: abortion, euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, commercial surrogacy, the use of non-human animals in scientific research, patient decisionmaking competence, surrogate decision-making authority, parental decision-making authority, and healthcare policy. Throughout the semester, emphasis will be placed on the development of critical thinking and writing skills. Students will learn to read, analyze, and critically evaluate sophisticated philosophical arguments, as well as to develop and communicate (both verbally and in writing) arguments of their own. No prerequisites.
Instructor: Stevens
This course will explore ethical issues involving life, death, and medicine. Topics may include: abortion, euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, commercial surrogacy, the use of non-human animals in scientific research, patient decisionmaking competence, surrogate decision-making authority, parental decision-making authority, and healthcare policy. Throughout the semester, emphasis will be placed on the development of critical thinking and writing skills. Students will learn to read, analyze, and critically evaluate sophisticated philosophical arguments, as well as to develop and communicate (both verbally and in writing) arguments of their own. No prerequisites.
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
Students must be Four Year Scholars or in a departmental honors program or have the permission of the Philosophy Department Chair in order to enroll.
Students must be Four Year Scholars or in a departmental honors program or have the permission of the Philosophy Department Chair in order to enroll.
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
TR 2:00-3:15pm
Instructor: Attwood
In this course, we will examine ancient Greek philosophical texts that are foundational for Western philosophy, focusing on the work of Plato and Aristotle. Topics include the nature and possibility of knowledge and its role in human life, the nature of the soul, virtue, happiness, and the human good. Prerequisite: 3 hours of Philosophy
TR 2:00-3:15pm
Instructor: Attwood
In this course, we will examine ancient Greek philosophical texts that are foundational for Western philosophy, focusing on the work of Plato and Aristotle. Topics include the nature and possibility of knowledge and its role in human life, the nature of the soul, virtue, happiness, and the human good. Prerequisite: 3 hours of Philosophy
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
Instructor: Minar
Philosophical reflection on minds and their proper study promises to shed light on the mental life of non-human animals. Conversely, learning about the facts of animal behavior and reflecting on how to interpret them may clarify how to think about human minds. The course will examine questions concerning consciousness, thinking, and feeling in animals, aspects of animal communication and culture, and the significance of interchanges between animals and humans. Throughout the course we shall be concerned with both the differences and the similarities between humans and other animals. In particular, to what extent do language and self-consciousness manifest a “great divide” between “us” and “them”? On the other hand, when we highlight the similarities between human and animal thinking, are we running afoul of the “anthropomorphic fallacy”, projecting our own characteristics onto animals? In thinking about these issues, we shall draw on writings of philosophers, scientists of animal behavior (ethologists), animal trainers, and literary figures. In the end of the course we shall discuss how views on animal minds should affect positions on animal rights and animal welfare. Overall, the hope is to provide a setting for thinking about animal minds in a way that is informed by a variety of disciplines and points of view. Prerequisite: 3 hours of Philosophy .
Instructor: Minar
Philosophical reflection on minds and their proper study promises to shed light on the mental life of non-human animals. Conversely, learning about the facts of animal behavior and reflecting on how to interpret them may clarify how to think about human minds. The course will examine questions concerning consciousness, thinking, and feeling in animals, aspects of animal communication and culture, and the significance of interchanges between animals and humans. Throughout the course we shall be concerned with both the differences and the similarities between humans and other animals. In particular, to what extent do language and self-consciousness manifest a “great divide” between “us” and “them”? On the other hand, when we highlight the similarities between human and animal thinking, are we running afoul of the “anthropomorphic fallacy”, projecting our own characteristics onto animals? In thinking about these issues, we shall draw on writings of philosophers, scientists of animal behavior (ethologists), animal trainers, and literary figures. In the end of the course we shall discuss how views on animal minds should affect positions on animal rights and animal welfare. Overall, the hope is to provide a setting for thinking about animal minds in a way that is informed by a variety of disciplines and points of view. Prerequisite: 3 hours of Philosophy .
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
TR 9:30-10:45am
Instructor: Adler
A philosophical consideration of the nature of law, theories of adjudication, concepts of legal responsibility, liberty, and the limits of law, and selected moral-legal issues (abortion, affirmative action, punishment, etc.).
TR 9:30-10:45am
Instructor: Adler
A philosophical consideration of the nature of law, theories of adjudication, concepts of legal responsibility, liberty, and the limits of law, and selected moral-legal issues (abortion, affirmative action, punishment, etc.).
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
MWF 10:45-11:35am
Instructor: Ward
Rigorous analyses of the concepts of proof, consistency, equivalence, validity, implication, and truth. Full coverage of truth-functional logic and quantification theory. Discussion of the nature and limits of mechanical procedures (algorithms) for proving theorems in logic and mathematics. Informal accounts of the basic facts about infinite sets. Prerequisite: PHIL 22003 or MATH 26003
MWF 10:45-11:35am
Instructor: Ward
Rigorous analyses of the concepts of proof, consistency, equivalence, validity, implication, and truth. Full coverage of truth-functional logic and quantification theory. Discussion of the nature and limits of mechanical procedures (algorithms) for proving theorems in logic and mathematics. Informal accounts of the basic facts about infinite sets. Prerequisite: PHIL 22003 or MATH 26003
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
Instructor: Donohue
How should we live together? Are healthcare, housing, and food human rights? Is socialism correct? What do we owe those who have suffered past injustices? Is racial integration required? These are some of the important questions of social and political philosophy with which we will engage in this course. Along the way, we will sharpen our ability to ask good philosophical questions, clearly explain arguments, articulate compelling objections, and adopt opposing points of view with an eye toward charity. Social and political philosophy have never been more pressing than they are now, and we will engage with important contemporary questions while building on the resources of great philosophical thinkers from both past and present.
Instructor: Donohue
How should we live together? Are healthcare, housing, and food human rights? Is socialism correct? What do we owe those who have suffered past injustices? Is racial integration required? These are some of the important questions of social and political philosophy with which we will engage in this course. Along the way, we will sharpen our ability to ask good philosophical questions, clearly explain arguments, articulate compelling objections, and adopt opposing points of view with an eye toward charity. Social and political philosophy have never been more pressing than they are now, and we will engage with important contemporary questions while building on the resources of great philosophical thinkers from both past and present.
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
Instructor: Reidy
This course is a study of some of the 19th century figures on the European continent in the wake of Kant. After a brief primer on Kant’s philosophy, we will survey the works of various authors in the German Idealist movement that followed Kant, including Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel (with special focus on Hegel). We will then turn to examine some of the developments of and challenges to this movement in the writings of Kierkegaard, Feurerbach, Marx, and Nietzsche. Special attention will be given to the concepts of objectivity, universality, and individuality in human life.
Instructor: Reidy
This course is a study of some of the 19th century figures on the European continent in the wake of Kant. After a brief primer on Kant’s philosophy, we will survey the works of various authors in the German Idealist movement that followed Kant, including Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel (with special focus on Hegel). We will then turn to examine some of the developments of and challenges to this movement in the writings of Kierkegaard, Feurerbach, Marx, and Nietzsche. Special attention will be given to the concepts of objectivity, universality, and individuality in human life.
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
Instructor: McMullen
In this seminar, we will discuss various epistemic defects in speech such as lying, misleading, bullshitting, bald-faced lies, and other truth-evasive performative speech acts.
Instructor: McMullen
In this seminar, we will discuss various epistemic defects in speech such as lying, misleading, bullshitting, bald-faced lies, and other truth-evasive performative speech acts.
Fall Semester (08/17/2025-12/11/2026)
Instructor: Funkhouser
This graduate seminar explores how social order emerges from largely self-interested minds working to coordinate with one another. The course will focus on three interrelated phenomena that are central to cooperative activity: signals, conventions, and common knowledge. We will be especially interested in how stable social patterns can emerge without explicit agreement or centralized control. Signals and conventions can naturally evolve to structure our shared expectations, social norms, and behavior. Our investigation of these topics will be informed by philosophical and gametheoretic accounts of coordination, including work by David Lewis and Brian Skyrms.
Instructor: Funkhouser
This graduate seminar explores how social order emerges from largely self-interested minds working to coordinate with one another. The course will focus on three interrelated phenomena that are central to cooperative activity: signals, conventions, and common knowledge. We will be especially interested in how stable social patterns can emerge without explicit agreement or centralized control. Signals and conventions can naturally evolve to structure our shared expectations, social norms, and behavior. Our investigation of these topics will be informed by philosophical and gametheoretic accounts of coordination, including work by David Lewis and Brian Skyrms.