Philosophy at UConn
Philosophy is unique both in its methods and in the nature and breadth of its subject matter. It pursues questions in every dimension of human life, and its techniques apply to problems in any field of study or endeavor. It seeks to establish standards of evidence, to provide rational methods of resolving conflicts, to create techniques for evaluating ideas and arguments, and to combine the discoveries of other disciplines to create a coherent world view. Philosophy develops the capacity to see the world from the perspective of other individuals and other cultures; it enhances one's ability to perceive the relationships among the various fields of study; and it deepens one's sense of the meaning and varieties of human experience.
Majoring in philosophy provides excellent training for further study in a variety of professional fields. It is particularly appropriate for further study in law, theology, linguistics (indeed a joint major in Linguistics and Philosophy is offered at UConn), and of course philosophy; it is also a good background for such diverse fields as medicine and business. Most majors who continue their study of philosophy at the graduate level intend to teach at a college or university, but some pursue careers in fields as diverse as artificial intelligence and government service.
Course Descriptions for FALL 2008
Philosophy 2210. Metaphysics and Epistemology. Prof. Elder. MWF 2-2:50. Class #: 9719.
This course begins by exploring two central questions of metaphysics. (1) Is there more to your conscious existence than just physical states of your physical matter? (2) Where else--other than in humans--can thoughts or feelings plausibly be said to occur: dolphins, computers, extraterrestrials? Then the course asks about the basis for knowledge about such questions. Is knowledge about metaphysical questions an extension of straightforward scientific knowledge about nature, or does it crucially rely on analysis of concepts?
Course requirements: class attendance, final exam; three five-page papers.
Textbooks: Paul M. Churchland, Matter and Consciousness; Bertrand Russell, The Problems of Philosophy; Saul Kripke, Naming and Necessity.
Philosophy 2211. Symbolic Logic I. Prof. Beall. Wednesdays 4:30-7 p.m. Class #: 7381.
This is an introduction to classical first-order logic. We will go through the semantics and a suitable 'proof theory' for classical propositional logic, classical monadic quantification theory, and eventually the full first-order language. Time permitting, we will touch on both metatheory and philosophical issues of classical first-order logic.
Philosophy 2212. Philosophy of Science. Prof. Hiskes. TuTh 9:30-10:45. Class #: 8217.
In this course we will critically examine different views about the truth of scientific theories and the nature of scientific evidence. We will also examine the relationship between science and social context and religious beliefs, and the scientific status of intelligent design theory.
By the end of the course students should be able to discuss and evaluate answers to the following questions:
- Is knowledge of unobservable objects possible?
- Do social and political factors affect the acceptance of scientific claims? Is this ever good?
- Does intelligent design theory have scientific merit? Should it be taught in science courses?
- Are science and religion incompatible?
Assigned texts:
Kourany, Janet, ed. Scientific Knowledge, 2 nd edition
Essays on science and religion and intelligent design theory (TBD).
Perhaps some essays on the evidence and controversy over global warming.
Required written work:
Two papers, 4 -5 pages each.
Midterm and final exam.
Regular homework assignments for class participation.
Philosophy 2215W. Ethics. Prof. Bloomfield. M 4-6:30 p.m. Class #: 9720.
This class will be a serious upper-level introduction to main issues in normative ethical theory. We will concentrate on the three most traditional ethical theories, reading original texts and secondary literature. These theories are Kantian deontology, utilitarian consequentialism, and virtue theory.
Philosophy 2221. Ancient Philosophy. Prof. Wheeler. TuTh 9-9:15. Class #: 8518.
The Greeks not only begin philosophy, they also produce some of the finest work ever done in the field. Most of the problems discussed in contemporary philosophy continue discussions that we find in Plato, Aristotle, and their Greek predecessors and successors. The focus of this course will be on Plato and Aristotle, and the focus within Plato and Aristotle will be on epistemology and metaphysics.
Philosophy 2222. 17th & 18th Century Philosophy. Prof. Shapiro. Tu 4-6:30 p.m. Class #: 8219.
Around the beginning of the 17th century, European philosophy entered a period of creative upheaval during which central features of previous thinkers' views of the world were widely rejected. The aim of this class is to investigate some of the most prominent alternative views of nature and our place in it that came to be defended by "modern" philosophers. What kinds of things exist? How do minds relate to physical things? What is the nature of causation? What capacities do we have for knowledge? We will examine approaches to these questions in key texts by Descartes (1596-1650), Locke (1632-1704), Berkeley (1685-1753), Hume (1711-1776), and Kant (1724-1804).
Philosophy 3226. Philosophy of Law. Prof. Simon. Mondays 4-6:30 p.m. Class #: 9721.
The aim of this course is to prepare students think and argue effectively about law as a system of thought. It is also designed to help students to develop reflective and critical attitudes toward issues of law and jurisprudence. This will not be a course in law, but a course about law and its ramifications. As a philosophy course, it is designed for students interested in developing and articulating ideas about some of the philosophical issues that permeate the law.
We will first look at the nature of law and theories of its philosophical foundations. We will consider the relation between law and morality. We shall also examine the principles that determine the scope and limits of law. Attention will be paid to questions of Constitutional intepretation and the role of courts with respect to issues such as privacy, racial discrimination, freedom of expression.
Classes will consist of of a mixture of lecture and discussion. A number of short papers will be assigned, and there will be a final exam.
Philosophy 3241. Language: Meaning and Truth. Prof. Troyer. TuTh 11-12:15. Class #: 9722.
This course will consider several of the main themes and problems that have characterized Philosophy of Language from Frege through Kripke. Some of the readings are quite difficult, others somewhat less so. The text is Peter Ludlow's anthology, Readings in the Philosophy of Language.
Philosophy 3250. Philosophy of Mind. Prof. Bontly. MWF 11-11:50. Class #9254.
Could a computer think? Do animals feel pain? And just what is it like, exactly, to be a bat – experiencing the world through echolocation? Questions such as these – questions about the nature of thought and experience, of consciousness and subjectivity – are the focus of this course. Topics include dualism and materialism as accounts of conscious experience; the subjectivity and privacy of the mental; the nature of introspection; our knowledge of other minds; the mind’s ability to direct itself upon the various objects of thought (“intentionality”); and the problems of mental causation. The course will include a mix of discussion and lecture. Required work will include presentations, papers, and final exam.
Required Preparation: at least one 200-level, three-credit philosophy course or consent of instructor.
Philosophy 3256W. Philosophy of Perception. Prof. Clark. M 1:30-4. Class #: 9723.
Description forthcoming.
Students who have had one or more advanced courses in philosophy may wish to consider taking a graduate seminar. If you are interested, please see the graduate course descriptions in the graduate section of the website. |
