Philosophy

PHIL100 Introduction to Philosophy Sections

Basic problems and methods of Philosophy. Topics such as the existence of God, the nature and scope of human knowledge, the relationship between mind and body, personal identity, free will, issues and problems in moral philosophy. Credit will be granted for only one of PHIL 100 and either or both PHIL 101 or PHIL 102.

PHIL101 Introduction to Philosophy Sections

Basic problems and methods of philosophy. Topics such as the nature and scope of human knowledge, the existence of God, and the relationship between mind and body. Credit will be granted for only one of PHIL 100 or PHIL 101.

PHIL102 Introduction to Philosophy II Sections

Basic problems and methods of philosophy. Topics such as morality, personal identity, free will and determinism, and the meaning of life. Credit will be granted for only one of PHIL 100 or PHIL 102.

PHIL120 Introduction to Critical Thinking Sections

Tools for dealing with both everyday and more technical arguments and concepts. Analysis and resolution of confusions, ambiguities, and fallacies. This course is restricted to students with fewer than 90 credits.

PHIL125 Introduction to Scientific Reasoning Sections

Historical and logical analysis of various types of scientific hypotheses and the data that support or undermine them. This course is restricted to students with fewer than 90 credits.

PHIL211 Greek Philosophy I: Socrates and Plato Sections

The Pre-Socratics; Socrates; Sophists; Plato. Recommended as preparation for PHIL 310. Credit will only be granted for one of PHIL 211, CLST 211 or AMNE 235.

PHIL212 Greek Philosophy II: Aristotle and After Sections

Aristotle; selections from Hellenistic and Late Antique Philosophy. Recommended as preparation for PHIL 310. Credit will only be granted for one of PHIL 212, CLST 212 or AMNE 236.

PHIL220A Symbolic Logic - SYMBOLIC LOGIC Sections

Sentential and predicate logic. Translation from natural language; truth tables and interpretations; systems of natural deduction up to relational predicate logic with identity; alternative proof methods. Some sections may use computer-based materials and tests.

PHIL230A Introduction to Ethics - INTRO TO ETHICS Sections

Theories of obligation and value; moral reasoning; normative ethics, descriptive ethics and meta-ethics. Readings in classic and contemporary texts.

PHIL235A Contemporary Moral Issues - CONTEMP MORAL IS Sections

Moral issues such as life and death decisions, paternalism, markets, animal welfare, technology, and global justice.

PHIL240A Introduction to Epistemology - INTRO TO EPISTOM Sections

Topics in epistemology such as skepticism, truth, justification, a priori and a posteriori knowledge. Readings from classic and contemporary texts.

PHIL250 Minds and Machines Sections

Philosophical and theoretical issues that pertain to how mental phenomena fit into the material world. Examine questions such as whether a sophisticated enough computer should be deemed a conscious intelligent being. Focus on philosophical literature on consciousness, intelligence, animal minds, and the mind-body relation. Credit will be granted for only one of PHIL 250 or PHIL 150.

PHIL260A Science and Society in the Contemporary World - SCIE & SOCIETY Sections

An introduction to the historical development, conceptual foundations, and cultural significance of contemporary science. Themes will vary from year to year.

PHIL310 The Philosophy of Plato Sections

A study of Plato's dialogues and his influence on subsequent philosophy. PHIL/CLST 211 or AMNE 235 and PHIL/CLST 212 or AMNE 236 are recommended.

PHIL311A The Philosophy of Aristotle - PHILOSOPHY ARIST Sections

A study of Aristotle's writings and his influence on subsequent philosophy.

PHIL313 Medieval Philosophy Sections

Survey of Western European thought from Augustine to the 14th century. Possible topics and authors include: Augustine; Abelard; the influence of Islam; the rediscovery of Aristotle; Aquinas; Scotus; Ockham.

PHIL314A Philosophy in the 17th Century - PHIL 17TH CENT Sections

Survey of 17th-century philosophy from Bacon to Leibniz, including the writings of Hobbes, Descartes, and Spinoza. The influence of science and religion on philosophy.

PHIL315A Philosophy in the 18th Century - PHIL 18TH CENT Sections

Survey of 18th-century philosophy from Locke to Kant, including the writings of Berkeley, Rousseau, and Hume. The influence of science and religion on philosophy.

PHIL316A Philosophy After 1800 - PHIL AFTER 1800 Sections

Survey of 19th and 20th century philosophy. May include Hegel, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Mill, Meinong, Brentano, the British Idealists, Russell, and Moore. Social and political currents in 19th century philosophical thought.

PHIL320A Logic: Metatheory and Computability - META AND COMP Sections

Continuation of PHIL 220. A system of deduction for predicate logic is selected for further study. Completeness of this system and other metatheoretic results are proved. Other topics include computability, recursive function theory, incompleteness and decidability.

PHIL321A Induction, Decision and Game Theory - INDUCTION & DECN Sections

Formal methods relevant to probabilistic and inductive reasoning. Decision theory, game theory, axiomatic probability theory and its interpretations, belief dynamics, simulation and modelling.

PHIL322A Modal Logic - MODAL LOGIC Sections

Logic of the modal operators "It is necessary that" and "It is possible that." Possible-world semantics and a method of derivation for this logic.

PHIL323A Non-Classical Logics - NON-CLASS LOGICS Sections

One or more of conditional logic, deontic logic, epistemic logic, many-valued logic, systems of belief dynamics.

PHIL326A Philosophy of Language I - PHIL LANGUAGE 1 Sections

Philosophical discussion of language, meaning, and communication. Credit will be granted for only one of PHIL 326 or PHIL 425.

PHIL330A Social and Political Philosophy - SOCL POL PHIL Sections

Theories of political and legal obligation and authority, legal reasoning, society and the state. Readings in classic and contemporary texts.

PHIL331A Business and Professional Ethics - BUS & PROF ETHIC Sections

Moral problems in contemporary business and professional practice, general moral theory, the law, and policy formation. Corporate social and environmental responsibility, employee rights, preferential hiring and affirmative action programs, conflicts of interest, advertising, "whistle blowing" and self-regulation. Credit will be granted for only one of PHIL 331 or PHIL 434.

PHIL332A Environmental Ethics - ENVIROMNTL ETHIC Sections

Moral problems arising in the context of human relationships to nature and to non-human living things, considered in terms of both general moral theory and policy formation. Topics include moral standing, animal rights, obligations to future generations, pollution, hazardous materials, the depletion of natural resources and the treatment of non-human living things. Credit will be granted for only one of PHIL 332 or PHIL 435.

PHIL333A Bio-Medical Ethics - BIOMEDICAL ETHIC Sections

Moral problems arising in the health sciences, especially in medicine but also in biology, psychology, and social work. Topics include abortion, death and euthanasia, genetic engineering, behaviour modification, compulsory treatment, experimentation with human beings and animals, and the relationship between professionals and their patients, subjects or clients. No philosophical background is required. Credit will be granted for only one of PHIL 333 or PHIL 433.

PHIL334A Sex, Gender and Philosophy - SEX GEND PHILOS Sections

Relationship between sex, gender, and philosophy. Topics may include ethics, epistemology, science, social relations, law, and personhood.

PHIL335A Power and Oppression - POWER & OPPRESSI Sections

Philosophical approaches to historical problems of inequality and social harm, with readings drawn from historical and contemporary sources. Topics to be studied may include slavery, colonialism, labour, and the position of women in society.

PHIL337 Ethics for the Sciences Sections

Philosophical exploration of ethical issues in the non-medical sciences, including topics such as intellectual integrity, responsible conduct of research, protection of human subjects, ethics of animal experimentation, and the social responsibilities of scientists. Credit will be granted for only one of ISCI 433 or PHIL 337.

PHIL338A Philosophy of Law - PHIL OF LAW Sections

Concepts of law, constitution and sovereignty; law and morality; natural law theories and legal positivism; obligation, responsibility, and punishment.

PHIL339A Philosophy of Art - PHIL OF ART Sections

Topics include art and perception, art and reality, imagination, expression, censorship, and the role of art in human life.

PHIL340A Introduction to Metaphysics - INTRO TO METPHYS Sections

Topics in metaphysics such as the nature of physical reality, personal identity, the mind/body problem, free will, causation and action theory. Readings from classic and contemporary texts.

PHIL347A Philosophy of Religion - PHIL OF RELIGION Sections

A critical and analytical examination of arguments for and arguments against the existence of God, and other related topics. Credit will be granted for only one of PHIL 347 or PHIL 349.

PHIL347B Philosophy of Religion - PHIL OF RELIGION Sections

A critical and analytical examination of arguments for and arguments against the existence of God, and other related topics. Credit will be granted for only one of PHIL 347 or PHIL 349.

PHIL348 Introduction to Continental Philosophy Sections

Major themes and figures in the Continental philosophy tradition; possible topics include 19th century precursors, 20th century philosophers, and comparisons between analytic and continental philosophy.

PHIL351 Philosophical Perspectives on Cognitive Systems Research Sections

Philosophical exploration of questions and theories arising from research into the mind, as conducted in psychology, linguistics, and computer science.

PHIL360A Introduction to History and Philosophy of Science - INTR HIST PHILSC Sections

An examination of historical, conceptual and methodological conditions of scientific knowledge through detailed consideration of important episodes in the history of science.

PHIL363 History and Philosophy of Economics from Ricardo to Keynes Sections

The development of economic thought from David Ricardo up to the present, including such figures as Mill, Jevons, and Keynes, focusing primarily on the conceptual foundations of economics, particularly the problems of value, distribution and growth.

PHIL364 Darwin, Evolution, and Modern History Sections

Darwin and the science of evolution in nineteenth and early twentieth century.

PHIL369A Philosophy of Science - PHIL OF SCIENCE Sections

Issues common to all sciences. Philosophical questions including the character of scientific laws, theories and revolutions, the nature of scientific confirmation, causality, explanation and prediction, and the use of logic and probability. Difficulties in the interpretation of atomic physics and questions about relationships between biology and psychology. No philosophical background is assumed. Credit will be granted for only one of PHIL 369 or PHIL 460.

PHIL371 Foundations of Chinese Thought Sections

Chinese thought from the Han dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE) in its historical and cultural contexts. Includes among others: Confucius; Mo Zi; the Legalists/Authoritarians; Zhuang Zi; the Lao Zi book.

PHIL375A Philosophy and Literature - PHILOSOPHY & LIT Sections

Philosophical issues in works of literature or arising from theories of literary interpretation. Topics include issues relating to relativism, the nature of morality, free will, personal identity, the nature of the emotions.

PHIL385A Existentialism - EXISTENTIALISM Sections

Meaning, identity and alienation as explored in the works for example of Kierkegaard, Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Sartre, and Camus.

PHIL390A Honours Tutorial - HONOURS 3RD YEAR Sections

For students in third-year Honours.

PHIL410A Topics in Ancient Philosophy - TOP:ANCIENT PHIL Sections

Advanced study of the Presocratics, or of a philosopher such as Plato, or of a school such as the Sceptics or Stoics. Topics vary from year to year.

PHIL414A Topics in the History of Modern Philosophy - EARLY MOD PHIL Sections

Intensive study of a major philosopher or school such as Descartes, Hume, Empiricism, Rationalism, or the British utilitarians.

PHIL415A The Philosophy of Immanuel Kant - PHLSPHY I. KANT Sections

Study of Kant's critical philosophy.

PHIL416A Topics in 19th-Century Philosophy - TOPICS: 19C PHIL Sections

Study of a major 19th-century philosopher such as Hegel, Mill or Nietzsche, or school, such as German Idealism.

PHIL418A Topics in Twentieth-Century Philosophy - 20TH CENT PHIL Sections

Intensive study of a major philosopher such as Wittgenstein, Russell, or Heidegger, or school, such as pragmatism or logical empiricism.

PHIL431A Topics in Social and Political Philosophy - TOP S & P PHIL Sections

Central concepts and problems in political life and thought including obligation, citizenship, representation, justice; equality; civil rights and liberty; disobedience.

PHIL432A Topics in Ethical Theory - TOP ETH THEORY Sections

Classic or contemporary works in ethical theory.

PHIL441A Philosophy of Perception - PHIL OF PERCEPT Sections

The contribution of the senses to knowledge of the external world; the nature of perception and its contribution to empirical knowledge.

PHIL448A Topics in Continental Philosophy - CONTINENTAL PHIL Sections

A study of European philosophers from amongst Husserl, Heidegger, Habermas, Foucault, Derrida, Lacan, Levinas, and others. Credit will be granted for only one of PHIL 448 or PHIL 449.

PHIL450A Topics in Metaphysics - TOP IN METAPHYS Sections

Topics including ontology, universals and particulars, substance, determinism and indeterminism, identity over time, and theories of truth.

PHIL451A Philosophy of Mind - PHIL OF MIND Sections

The nature of the mental and physical; the relation between minds and bodies; the character of psychological explanation.

PHIL455A Topics in the Philosophy of Cognitive Science - TPC COGNITIV SCI Sections

Philosophical topics in the cognitive sciences, such as empiricism vs. nativism, consciousness, mental representation, cognitive architecture, language and thought, and situated cognition.

PHIL461 Philosophy of Social Science Sections

Topics in the philosophy of science of special concern to the social sciences: the problem of objectivity, the use of models and evidence, causation and causal reasoning, formal methods, the status of social kinds and norms, scientific explanation, laws.

PHIL462A Space and Time - SPACE AND TIME Sections

Such topics as: Are space and time continuous? Is motion always relative to another body? Does time flow? Is time irreversible?

PHIL470 Comparative Conceptions of the Self Sections

Ways in which the 'self' has been portrayed in eastern and western religious traditions. Thinkers to be considered include Aristotle, Mencius, Freud, Xunzi (Hsn-tzu), Nietzche, and Zhuangzi (Chuang-tzu).

PHIL485 Directed Reading Sections

Same as PHIL 486-9.

PHIL486A Directed Reading - DIRECTED READING Sections

PHIL487 Directed Reading Sections

PHIL490A Honours Tutorial - HONOURS 4TH YEAR Sections

For students in fourth-year Honours.

PHIL491A Seminar for Majors in Philosophy - SEM PHIL MAJORS Sections

Selected problems in philosophy, with attention to methods of research. Check with the department for specific topics. Primarily for fourth-year Philosophy Major students, but also open to Philosophy Honours.

PHIL510A Ancient Philosophy - ANCIENT PHILOSPH Sections

PHIL516A Modern Philosophy - MODERN PHIL Sections

PHIL518A Twentieth-Century Philosophy - 20TH CENT PHIL Sections

PHIL525A Philosophy of Language - PHIL OF LANGUAGE Sections

PHIL530A Moral Philosophy - MORAL PHILOSOPHY Sections

PHIL531A Political Philosophy - POLITICAL PHIL Sections

PHIL539A Aesthetics - AESTHETICS Sections

PHIL540A Epistemology - EPISTEMOLOGY Sections

PHIL550A Metaphysics - METAPHYSICS Sections

PHIL551A Philosophy of Mind - PHIL OF MIND Sections

PHIL560A Philosophy of Science - PHIL OF SCIENCE Sections

PHIL585 Directed Reading Sections

PHIL599 MA Thesis Sections

PHIL699 Doctoral Dissertation Sections