Detailed Course Descriptions

PHILOSOP 3003F - Plato

Instructor: Devin Henry

An intermediate survey of the works of Plato. While some themes or works may be focused on to the exclusion of others, this course aims to give students a strong, foundational understanding of Plato’s thought on a range of topics.

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PHILOSOP 3023F - Spinoza

Instructor: C. Dyck

A consideration of all aspects of Spinoza's thought, including his metaphysics, ethics and political theory, with attention to its context and its influence.

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PHILOSOP 3006G - Aristotle

Instructor: TBA

An intermediate survey of the works of Aristotle. While some themes or works may be focused on to the exclusion of others, this course aims to give students a strong, foundational understanding of Aristotle's thought on a range of topics.

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PHILOSOP 3040G - Origins of Analytic Philosophy

Instructor: G. Barker

The investigation of select philosophical problems as they arise in the writings of such philosophers as Moore, Frege, Russell, Ayer, Carnap, Quine, Wittgenstein, Ryle, Austin and others. Problems addressed may include philosophical methodology, ethical theory, metaphysics, meaning and epistemology.

Course Outline (pending)

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PHILOSOP 3170F - Topics in the History of Ethics

Topic: Nicomachean Ethics

Instructor: K. Nielsen

This course will allow students to study Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics in depth. Topics include happiness, virtue of character, virtue of intellect, pleasure and friendship.

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PHILOSOP 3180G - Topics in the History of Political and Legal Philosophy

Topic: Locke's Political Philosophy

Instructor: D. Klimchuk

A consideration of Locke's principal writings on political philosophy. Topics will include the justification and limits of political authority, the rule of law and toleration.

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PHILOSOP 3201B - Special Topics in Logical Theory

Instructor: J. Bell

Topics include: basic set theory, interpretations of first-order logic, second-order logic, contextual (modal) and intuitionistic propositional logic.

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PHILOSOP 3270G - Philosophy and Linguistics

Instructor: R. Stainton

Philosophical perspectives on linguistic issues and on the science of linguistics. Sample topics: the evidence base for linguistics; what linguistics should take as its proper subject matter; interfaces between syntax, semantics and pragmatics. http://www.uwo.ca/philosophy/contact/people/Faculty/rstainton.html

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PHILOSOP 3320F - Philosophical Issues in Quantum Mechanics

Instructor: W. Myrvold

Though quantum mechanics is a well-tested and accepted part of physics, debate continues about what the success of this theory tells us about the world and about science. This course examines these questions while introducing the student to the peculiarities of quantum physics. No physics background presumed.

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PHILOSOP 3330F - Philosophical Foundations of Spacetime Theories

Instructor: R. Disalle

Philosophers have reflected on the concepts of space, time, and motion since ancient times. With the birth of modern physics, however—especially in the work of Galileo, Descartes, and Newton—these questions acquired a new significance, as urgent problems for the foundations of physics. Scientific ideas such as the motion of the earth, the infinity of space, and the application of physical laws to celestial motions,  raised questions in metaphysics and epistemology that demanded philosophical reflection. These questions have persisted even into present-day physics. Especially since the work of Einstein, such questions have continued to bring philosophy and physics into close interaction.  This course considers the philosophical issues raised by the physics of space and time: are space and time objectively real, or merely abstractions from spatial and temporal relations? Is motion absolute or relative? Is our knowledge of space and time factual or conventional? What is the relation between our intuitive views and our scientific knowledge of space and time? How do conceptions of space and time relate to theories in other areas of physics, of science generally?
Authors to be studied include: Newton, Leibniz, Kant, Mach, Poincaré,  Einstein, and others. No physics background is presupposed; elementary concepts of space and time will be introduced in an intuitive and self-contained way.

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PHILOSOP 3340G - Philosophy of Biology

Instructor: D. Henry

In-depth examination of contemporary philosophical debates arising from modern biology. Topics explored may include the structure of evolutionary theory, the notions of stress and adaptation, functions and teleological explanation, the ontological status of species, reductionism and levels of explanation, and social and moral implications of biological research.

Course Outline (pending)

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PHILOSOP 3410F - Philosophy of Mind

Instructor: A. Mendelovici

Advanced topics in the philosophy of mind. Topics may include: the metaphysics of mind - from Cartesian Dualism, through Behaviourism and Identity Theory, to modern functionalist theories; connections between metaphysics of mind and topics such as such as mental causation, mental content and consciousness. Emphasis will be given to contemporary readings.

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PHILOSOP 3420F - Philosophy of Psychology

Instructor: C. Viger

Conceptual issues arising in Psychology. Topics may include: modularity, nativism, theory of mind, simulation theory, concept acquisition, conceptual content. The methodology used by psychologists may also be investigated. Though some historical writings may be used, the emphasis will be on contemporary works.

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PHILOSOP 3501F - Epistemology

Instructor: Sheldon Chow

Problems in contemporary theory of knowledge; topics will include: knowledge and modern skepticism, contextual factors in criteria and standards for knowledge, how attributing knowledge influences practical action, whether knowing something implies knowing its logical consequences, pragmatist and other contextualist approaches to epistemology, relativism, social dimensions of knowledge, the ethics of belief, and fact and value in inquiry and action. We also examine the relations of belief, knowledge and assertion.

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PHILOSOP 3601G - Metaphysics

Instructor: A. Botterell

An introduction to current debate on metaphysical questions. Topics may include the nature of space and time, the status of phenomenal sensible qualities, the existence of natural kinds, causality and determinism, counterfactuals and possible worlds, identity and individuation, and personal identity.

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PHILOSOP 3710F - Metaethics

Instructor: Katie Paxman

Metaethics is concerned with the metaphysical, epistemological and semantic status of moral debate. This course provides an introduction to the major ontological views in metaethics, as well as to some related metaethical debates, including questions of moral motivation, moral reason, and moral knowledge.  Questions include: Are moral theories/judgments a product of human invention or do they have some objective source? What is the nature of the source of moral truths? In virtue of what do moral claims derive their authority? How are moral facts related to other facts (for instance, human psychology)?  How do moral facts motivate? 

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PHILOSOP 3720G - Normative Ethics

Instructor: Carolyn McLeod

Moral philosophers engaged in normative ethics seek to articulate and justify systems of normative standards - of action or of character - to guide our moral life. This course is an advanced study of normative ethical theories, such as utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue theories.

Course Outline (pending)

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PHILOSOP 3991F - Problems in Philosophy

Topic:German Aesthetics

Instructor: C. Dyck

Since the 18th century, German philosophers have devoted considerable attention to the topics of aesthetics, including the nature of aesthetic sensibility, the character of our judgments of the beautiful and the sublime and the origin and the significance of the art work itself. The course will trace the development of German aesthetics from the first phase of German rationalism, through Kantian aesthetics, to the post-Kantian aesthetic theories of Hegel, Nietzsche and Heidegger. .

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PHILOSOP 3992G - Problems in Philosophy

Topic: Moral Psychology

Moral psychology is the study of the human capacity for moral thought and behaviour. How do human beings behave morally? What enables them to do so? This field is interdisciplinary with input from philosophers, psychologists, and cognitive scientists. In this course, we will deal primarily, though not exclusively, with contributions by philosophers to contemporary debates in moral psychology.

Instructor: Chloe Fitzgerald

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