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100 A – Introduction to Philosophy (AL)
TuTh 9:30-10:20
Garcia
In this course we will examine some of the most central topics in the history of Western philosophy, including skepticism, free will, the existence of God, competing views about human nature, and the meaning of life. Some thinkers to be discussed include Plato, Descartes, Anselm, Aquinas, Pascal, Hume, James, Ayer, Strawson, Nagel, Putnam, and Camus.
100 B – Introduction to Philosophy (AL)
MW 2:30-3:20
Kornblith
Two lectures, one discussion section per week. This first course in philosophy will be divided into two parts: in the first, we will discuss some central questions in ethics; in the second, we will address questions in the theory of knowledge. Readings include Plato's Gorgias, John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism, Bertrand Russell's Problems of Philosophy, and W V Quine's Web of Belief.
100H – Introduction to Philosophy (Honors) (AL)
TuTh 9:30-10:45
Levine
An introduction to philosophy through a survey of some major philosophical questions, such as: Does God exist, and is this something we can know independently of revelation? What makes us the same person from moment to moment? What is justice, and how should society be organized to treat everyone fairly?
Phil 110 – Introduction To Logic
TuTh 1:00-2:15
Hardegree
Introduction to Symbolic Logic. Two logical systems are examined: (1) Sentential Logic, (2) Predicate Logic. Work is equally divided between: (a) translating English sentences into symbolic notation, and (b) constructing formal derivations. Text: Hardegree, Symbolic Logic: A First Course, 3rd ed. Requirements: In-class exams. For more information, consult course website.
160 A – Introduction to Ethics (AT)
TuTh 4:00-4:50
Meacham
In the first half of the class we'll discuss some of the main theories that have been offered for evaluating what one ought and ought not to do, such as Ethical Relativism, Ethical Skepticism, the Divine Command theory, Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and the Social Contract Theory.
In the second half of the class we'll turn to look at some controversial issues in ethics, with possible topics including animal rights, euthanasia, abortion, infanticide, parental responsibilities, neonatal circumcision and children's rights.
160 B – Introduction to Ethics (AT) (Residential Academic Program)
TuTh 11:15-12:30
tba
160 C – Introduction to Ethics (AT) (Residential Academic Program)
TuTh 1:00-2:15
tba
160H – Introduction to Ethics (Honors) (AT)
TuTh 1:00-2:15
tba
161 – Problems in Social Thought (SB)
MWF 10:10-11:00
tba
164 01 – Medical Ethics (AT)
TuTh 11:15-12:30
tba
164 02 – Medical Ethics (AT)
TuTh 1:00-2:15
tba
164 03 –Medical Ethics (AT) (Residential Academic Program)
TuTh 11:15-12:30
staff
description forthcoming
164 04 –Medical Ethics (AT) (Residential Academic Program)
TuTh 1:00-2:15
tba
164H –Medical Ethics (Honors) (AT)
TuTh 1:00-2:15
tba
330 – Continental Rationalists
TuTh 2:30-3:45
ONeill
A critical study of selected works in metaphysics, epistemology,natural philosophy, and rational theology in the Age of Reason. The 17th-century rationalists on the continent (and in England) will include: Descartes, Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia, Malebranche, Astell, Cavendish and Leibniz. Topics will include: the nature and existence of mind, scepticism about the existence of the external world, the nature of bodies, causation, the laws of nature, sense perception, the existence of God, divine providence, miracles, necessity and contingency. Requirements: short weekly writing assignments, quizzes, midterm and final essay exams. Prerequisites: two courses in philosophy. Students who have taken Phil 321 are not eligible to register for this course.
335 – Contemporary Analytic Philosophy
TuTh 11:15-12:30
Klement
Consideration of the major trends in British and American philosophy in roughly the first half of the 20th century. Topics include philosophical analysis, logical atomism, logical positivism and "the linguistic turn" in philosophy. Texts: works by Russell, Wittgenstein, Ayer, Kripke and/or others. Requirements: Take-home essay exams, in-class quizzes. Prerequisite: one course in philosophy, or consent of instructor.
336 – Existential Philosophy
MWF 2:30-3:20
staff
description forthcoming
362 – Approaches to Politics and Philosophy
TuTh 1:00-2:15
Levine
An investigation into foundational issues in political theory, such as the basis of state authority, the nature of property rights, balancing the values of individual autonomy and equality, and the question of nationalism. Readings from Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, Marx, Rawls, Nozick, and others.
381 – Philosophy of Women
TuTh 1:00-2:15
Antony
description forthcoming
382 – Philosophical Approaches to Science
MWF 12:20-1:10
staff
description forthcoming
383 – Philosophical Approaches to Religion
MWF 1:25-2:15
staff
description forthcoming
394A – Action Theory
TuTh 9:30-10:45
Baker
Wittgenstein once asked, “What is left over if I subtract the fact that my arm goes up from the fact that I raise my arm?” Using recent philosophical articles, we¹ll explore possible responses to this question. We¹ll also consider what it is to be an agent who intentionally does things, as opposed to an entity (like a rock or a tree) to which things happen. We’ll consider the so-called Causal Theory of Action as a solution to the problems of action and agency. Prerequisites: 3 philosophy courses, including introductory logic; or permission of the instructor.
398W – Junior Year Writing Course
Th 4:00-4:50
ONeill
Must be taken concurrently with Phil 330.
511 – Modal Logic
TuTh 9:30-10:45
Hardegree
This course is intended to follow Philosophy 310 (Intermediate Logic), and examines various modal logical systems including alethic modal logic, epistemic logic, deontic logic, tense logic, and the logic of propositional attitudes. Emphasis will be on quantification, identity, descriptions, scoped singular terms, and actuality. Text: Hardegree, Introduction to Modal Logic (available on-line). Prerequisite: Philosophy 310, or consent of the instructor. For more information, consult http://people.umass.edu/gmhwww/511.
551 – Metaphysics
TuTh 2:30 - 3:45
Eddon
description forthcoming
563 – Ethical Theory
We are sorry, but this course has been cancelled.
582 – Philosophy of Science
TuTh 1:00 - 2:15
Meacham
description forthcoming
595P – Philosophy of Psychology
TuTh 11:15-12:30
Antony
description forthcoming
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