PHILOSOPHY (PHIL)
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Philosophy
John Roach Center for the Liberal Arts (JRC) 241, (651) 962-5350
Stoltz (chair), Clemenson, Deavel, Distelzweig, Feeney, Frost, Giebel, Grant, Heaney, Kronen, Laumakis, Lemmons, Lu, Menssen, Pawl, Rota, Spencer, Stuchlik, Toner, Winter
Philosophy Department Web Site
Philosophy engages questions such as:
- Is the human mind just a very complicated machine?
- Can we have free will if the mind is a machine?
- Must we have free will in order for life to be meaningful?
- What makes an act moral or immoral?
- When, if ever, can a government mandate moral acts or outlaw immoral acts?
- Is it ever permissible to start a war with a preemptive strike?
- Is the design in the world evidence that there is a God?
- Do the world’s evils show that a good God cannot exist?
- What is the role of philosophy in dealing with questions about God?
- What is knowledge?
- Can we know anything with certainty?
- Are warrants for knowledge relative to particular cultures?
Philosophy considers these questions, and countless others, from the standpoint of human reason and experience. It emphasizes precise and careful argument, and sharpens your thinking skills.
The philosophy program at St. Thomas will introduce you to distinguished philosophical work over the centuries and into our own time. While attending carefully to philosophers whose works are foundational to the Catholic intellectual tradition, particularly Aristotle and Aquinas, the program is committed to broad integration of our understanding of reality. As you work to construct a philosophical worldview you will engage a variety of traditions, including non-Western, and confront questions prompted by the study of such subjects as the natural and social sciences, mathematics, medicine, business, law, theology, the fine arts, and literature.
Major in Philosophy
- PHIL 110 The Person and the Good (or PHIL 115 or PHIL 197) (4 credits)
- PHIL 220 Logic (4 credits)
- PHIL 350 Ethics (4 credits)
Plus eight credits in the history of philosophy
Four credits in classical Western philosophy
- PHIL 302 Ancient Philosophy (4 credits)
- PHIL 303 Medieval Philosophy (4 credits)
- PHIL 340 Thought of Thomas Aquinas (4 credits)
- or another course approved by the department
Four credits in an elective in the history of philosophy
- PHIL 210 Chinese Philosophy (4 credits)
- PHIL 302 Ancient Philosophy (4 credits)
- PHIL 303 Medieval Philosophy (4 credits)
- PHIL 304 Modern Philosophy (4 credits)
- PHIL 306 Contemporary Philosophy (4 credits)
- PHIL 308 Indian Philosophy (4 credits)
- PHIL 340 Thought of Thomas Aquinas (4 credits)
- PHIL 353 Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Nietzsche (4 credits)
- or another course approved by the department
Plus:
- Sixteen credits at the 300-level or above, including four credits at the 400-level (all 400-level courses require public presentation of a paper)
Plus:
- Additional coursework in Philosophy to bring the total number of credits in philosophy either to forty-four (for single majors) or thirty-six (for double or triple majors).
Philosophy majors who are single majors must complete twenty-eight of their credits in philosophy at St. Thomas’s St. Paul campus; philosophy majors who are double majors must complete twenty-four of their credits in philosophy at St. Thomas’s St. Paul campus.
Minor in Philosophy
All minors take:
- PHIL 110 (or PHIL 197) The Person and the Good (4 credits),
or PHIL 115 Philosophy of the Human Person (4 credits)
Plus:
- Twelve additional credits in philosophy. It is recommended that minors take PHIL 220 Logic (4 credits)
Philosophy minors must complete twelve of their credits in philosophy at St. Thomas, unless they receive a waiver from the department chair; at least eight credits must be at the 2xx-level or above.
A student may have more than one philosophy minor provided there is no more than an eight-credit overlap, but may not minor in philosophy while also majoring in philosophy.
Minor in Global Philosophy
Expand your perspective with the department’s experts in Buddhist, Chinese, Indian, and Tibetan philosophy. Benefit from the insights these traditions provide and be prepared to navigate a globalized world.
All minors take:
- PHIL 110 The Person and the Good (4 credits)
Plus twelve credits from the following:
- PHIL 210 Chinese Philosophy (4 credits)
- PHIL 211 Buddhist Philosophy (4 credits)
- PHIL 213 Comparative Applied Ethics East and West (4 credits)
- PHIL 220 Logic or PHIL 221 Critical Thinking & Inductive Reasoning (4 credits)
- PHIL 260 Global Philosophy of Religion (4 credits)
- PHIL 308 Indian Philosophy (4 credits)
- Another course approved by the department.
*A student may have more than one philosophy minor provided there is no more than an eight-credit overlap, but may not minor in philosophy while also majoring in philosophy.
Philosophy minors must complete twelve of their credits in philosophy at St. Thomas, unless they receive a waiver from the department chair; at least eight credits must be at the 2xx-level or above.
Minor in Philosophy, Ethics, and Society
16 credits
Explore the foundations of morality and the application of moral and ethical principles to complex challenges facing the world today. The track will prepare you to work for the common good both professionally and personally.
- PHIL 110 The Person and the Good (4 credits)
- PHIL 350 Ethics (4 credits)
Plus eight credits from the following:
- PHIL 213 Comparative Applied Ethics East and West (4 credits)
- PHIL 220 Logic or PHIL 221 Critical Thinking & Inductive Reasoning (4 credits)
- PHIL 234 Love, Sex, and Friendship (4 credits)
- PHIL 235 Politics, Law, and the Common Good (4 credits)
- PHIL 254 Biomedical Ethics (4 credits)
- PHIL 255 Technology and Ethics (4 credits)
- PHIL 256 Contemporary Social Issues (4 credits)
- PHIL 258 Environmental Ethics (4 credits)
- Another course approved by the department.
*A student may have more than one philosophy minor provided there is no more than an eight-credit overlap, but may not minor in philosophy while also majoring in philosophy.
Minor in Philosophy of Law and Politics
Develop philosophical tools and perspectives to think critically, creatively and constructively about the foundations of political, legal and policy questions. This track can enhance and complement degrees in Business, Economics, History, Sociology, Political Science, and help prepare you for careers engaging law, policy and politics.
All minors take:
- PHIL 110 The Person and the Good (4 credits)
Plus one of the following:
- PHIL 235: Politics, Law, and the Common Good (4 credits), or
- PHIL 357 Political Philosophy (4 credits), or
- PHIL 359 Philosophy of Law (4 credits)
Plus eight credits from the following:
- PHIL 220 Logic or PHIL 221 Critical Thinking & Inductive Reasoning (4 credits)
- PHIL 231 Philosophies of Social Justice (4 credits)
- PHIL 235 Politics, Law, and the Common Good (4 credits)
- PHIL 256 Contemporary Social Issues (4 credits)
- PHIL 357 Political Philosophy (4 credits)
- PHIL 359 Philosophy of Law (4 credits)
- Another course approved by the department.
*A student may have more than one philosophy minor provided there is no more than an eight-credit overlap, but may not minor in philosophy while also majoring in philosophy.
Philosophy minors must complete twelve of their credits in philosophy at St. Thomas, unless they receive a waiver from the department chair; at least eight credits must be at the 2xx-level or above.
Minor in Logic & Analytical Reasoning
16 credits
Director: Dr. Jonathan Stoltz (PHIL)
The interdisciplinary minor in Logic & Analytical Reasoning explores fundamental principles and techniques of inferential reasoning, thereby providing students with the tools needed to distinguish reasoning well from reasoning poorly. Students completing the minor will learn how formal systems (and formal languages) can be harnessed for the benefit of improved reasoning, problem solving, and information processing. Courses in the minor do not merely employ logic and reasoning in order to examine other topics; rather, these courses have principles and systems of reasoning as their primary subject matter. The interdisciplinary character of the minor helps students draw connections between (i) the theorizing about inferential reasoning that regularly happens in fields like philosophy and mathematics and (ii) the applications of inferential reasoning found in the natural and social sciences.
Required Courses (8 credits)
- PHIL 220: Logic (4 credits)
- PHIL 221: Critical Thinking and Inductive Reasoning (4 credits)
or, with approval of program director, one other 4-credit course from the list below
Electives (at least 8 credits)
At least eight credits drawn from the list of courses below, with at least four credits from the starred (*) courses: CISC 131 (or CISC 130), SOCI 220, and STAT 220
- *CISC 131 (or CISC 130): Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving (4 credits)
- *SOCI 220: Sociological Analysis (4 Credits)
- *STAT 220: Introductory Statistics (4 credits)
- CISC 230: Object‐Oriented Design and Programming (4 credits)
- ECON 315: Introduction to Econometrics (4 credits)
- ECON 355: Game Theory (4 credits)
- ECON 418: Mathematical Economics (4 credits)
- MATH 128: Introduction to Discrete Math (4 credits)
- MATH 201: Bridge to Mathematical Proof (4 credits)
- MATH 303: Statistics for the Applied Sciences (4 credits)
- MATH 313: Probability (4 credits)
- POLS 240: Research Methods in Political Science (4 credits)
- PSYC 212: Research Methods in Psychology (4 credits)
- SOCI 210: Research Methods in Sociology (4 credits)
- STAT 310: Biostatistics (4 credits)
- STAT 320: Applied Regression Analysis (4 credits)
Minor in Philosophy of Mind and Brain
Integrate and contextualize insights from psychology, neuroscience, and even computer science by developing and applying philosophical tools and perspectives to examine the nature of the mind and the relationship between mind and brain.
All minors take:
- PHIL 110 The Person and the Good (4 credits)
Plus one of the following:
- PHIL 265: Minds, Brains, and Computers (4 credits), or
- PHIL 330: Philosophy of Mind (4 credits)
Plus eight credits from the following:
- PHIL 220 Logic (4 credits)
- PHIL 221 Critical Thinking & Inductive Reasoning (4 credits)
- PHIL 265: Minds, Brains, and Computers (4 credits)
- PHIL 304: Modern Philosophy (4 credits)
- PHIL 330: Philosophy of Mind (4 credits)
- PHIL 385: Philosophy of Science (4 credits)
- Another course approved by the department.
*A student may have more than one philosophy minor provided there is no more than an eight-credit overlap, but may not minor in philosophy while also majoring in philosophy.
Philosophy minors must complete twelve of their credits in philosophy at St. Thomas, unless they receive a waiver from the department chair; at least eight credits must be at the 2xx-level or above.
Minor in Philosophy of Religion
Develop and apply philosophical perspectives and tools to address questions concerning the existence and nature of God, the compatibility of faith and reason, and the nature and meaning of religious belief and experience. An ideal track to complement study in Theology or Catholic Studies, for those interested in apologetics, or for anyone who wants to think philosophically about the nature of religion and its place in the world.
All minors take:
- PHIL 110 The Person and the Good (4 credits)
Plus twelve credits from the following:
- PHIL 220 Logic or PHIL 221 Critical Thinking & Inductive Reasoning (4 credits)
- PHIL 240 Faith and Doubt (4 credits)
- PHIL 250 Christian Mysteries from a Philosophical Viewpoint (4 credits)
- PHIL 260 Global Philosophy of Religion (4 credits)
- PHIL 272 Evolution and Creation (4 credits)
- PHIL 303 Medieval Philosophy (4 credits)
- PHIL 340 Thought of Aquinas (4 credits)
- PHIL 365 Natural Philosophy and Metaphysics (4 credits)
- PHIL 460 Philosophy of God (4 credits)
- Another course approved by the department.
*A student may have more than one philosophy minor provided there is no more than an eight-credit overlap, but may not minor in philosophy while also majoring in philosophy.
Philosophy minors must complete twelve of their credits in philosophy at St. Thomas, unless they receive a waiver from the department chair; at least eight credits must be at the 2xx-level or above.
Minor in Philosophy and Science
Develop philosophical tools with which to examine fundamental questions about the nature of scientific methods and findings. This track is designed for students in STEM and related fields and for those concerned to deepen and sharpen their philosophical perspective on the sciences and their place in society.
Develop philosophical tools with which to examine fundamental questions about the nature of scientific methods and findings. This track is designed for students in STEM and related fields and for those concerned to deepen and sharpen their philosophical perspective on the sciences and their place in society.
All minors take:
- PHIL 110 The Person and the Good (4 credits)
Plus:
- PHIL 385 Philosophy of Science (4 credits)
Plus eight credits from the following:
- PHIL 220 Logic (4 credits)
- PHIL 221 Critical Thinking & Inductive Reasoning (4 credits)
- PHIL 241 History and Philosophy of Medicine (4 credits)
- PHIL 254 Biomedical Ethics (4 credits)
- PHIL 255 Technology and Ethics (4 credits)
- PHIL 265 Minds, Brains, and Computers (4 credits)
- PHIL 272 Evolution and Creation (4 credits)
- PHIL 380 Epistemology (4 credits)
- Another course approved by the department.
*A student may have more than one philosophy minor provided there is no more than an eight-credit overlap, but may not minor in philosophy while also majoring in philosophy.
Philosophy minors must complete twelve of their credits in philosophy at St. Thomas, unless they receive a waiver from the department chair; at least eight credits must be at the 2xx-level or above.
Philosophy Undergraduate Courses
| Course Number | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHIL 110 | The Person and the Good | 4 | |
| Description of course The Person and the Good : | Using philosophical methodology, and with substantial attention to Catholic intellectual tradition, this course enquires into the foundations of ethics, including how our conception of the human person affects our understanding of the moral life. It considers also the question of the rationality of belief in God and the difference (if any) God makes to our understanding of the person and the good. In addressing these topics, the course develops and applies basic logic skills, introduced as an essential part of philosophical method and an indispensable tool of critical thinking. | ||
| PHIL 115 | Philosophy of Human Person | 0 TO 4 | |
| Description of course Philosophy of Human Person : | An examination of fundamental conceptions of the human person in ancient, medieval and modern philosophy. Possible topics include: the existence and immortality of the human soul, free will and determinism, the immateriality of the intellect, the relationship between mind and body, and the relevance of different conceptions of the human person for ethics and religion. Attention is given to relevant issues of human diversity. The development of logical and critical thinking receives special attention. | ||
| PHIL 197 | Topics | 4 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| PHIL 210 | Chinese Philosophy | 4 | |
| Description of course Chinese Philosophy : | An examination of the primary texts and problems that form the basis of Confucianism, Daoism, or Chinese Buddhism. Metaphysical and ethical themes will be considered. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 211 | Buddhist Philosophy | 4 | |
| Description of course Buddhist Philosophy : | An examination of the history, primary texts, and philosophical problems that form the basis of Buddhist philosophy in India, China, Japan, and the West. Metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical themes will be considered. Prerequisites: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115 | ||
| PHIL 213 | Applied Ethics: East and West | 4 | |
| Description of course Applied Ethics: East and West : | A comparison of Eastern and Western moral theories with an emphasis on their application to contemporary moral issues. Eastern theories may include Confucian, Hindu, Buddhist, or Taoist accounts of ethics. Western theories will include significant attention to accounts important to Catholic intellectual tradition. Contemporary moral issues to be considered will vary from semester to semester, but may include …sexual morality, abortion, suicide and euthanasia, family morality, race, sex, gender, war, capital punishment, technology, media ethics, business ethics, environmental ethics, and questions about Hawaiian sovereignty. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 214 | Introductory Ethics | 4 | |
| Description of course Introductory Ethics : | An inquiry into the rational foundations and methods of ethics, with attention to the application of ethical principles to areas of personal conduct, institutional behavior and public policy, and diversity within and across cultures. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or 115. NOTE: Students who receive credit for PHIL 214 may not receive credit for PHIL 215. | ||
| PHIL 218 | Philosophy of Sport | 4 | |
| Description of course Philosophy of Sport : | An in-depth philosophical examination of conceptual, moral, cultural, and legal issues surrounding regulating, watching, and participating in sports. Possible topics include: the definition of sport; the nature of competition; sportsmanship; being a fan; performance-enhancing drugs; gender; race; and the relationships among athletics, moral education, the law, and social responsibility in high school, collegiate, and professional sports. The course integrates various disciplinary perspectives on the nature and practice of sport, and special attention is given to reflection on these topics from within Catholic intellectual tradition. Students cannot receive credit for both PHIL 218 and the less in-depth 2-credit version of the course, PHIL 219. Prerequisites: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115 | ||
| PHIL 219 | Philosophy of Sport | 2 | |
| Description of course Philosophy of Sport : | A philosophical survey of conceptual, moral, cultural, and legal issues surrounding regulating, watching, and participating in sports. Possible topics include: the definition of sport; the nature of competition; sportsmanship; being a fan; performance-enhancing drugs; gender; race; and the relationships among athletics, moral education, the law, and social responsibility in high school, collegiate, and professional sports. The course will integrate various disciplinary perspectives on the nature and practice of sport, especially perspectives from philosophical ethics, law, and sociology. Students cannot receive credit for both PHIL 219 and the more in-depth 4-credit version of the course, PHIL 218. Prerequisites: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115 | ||
| PHIL 220 | Logic | 4 | |
| Description of course Logic : | This course provides students with skills for identifying, analyzing, and evaluating the sorts of reasoning encountered in natural language. Emphasis will be placed on attaining facility with different formal systems for representing and evaluating arguments - including propositional logic, Aristotelian syllogistic, first-order predicate calculus, - as well as on acquiring the ability to apply these systems in the analysis and evaluation of arguments in ordinary and philosophical discourse. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 221 | Critical & Inductive Reasoning | 4 | |
| Description of course Critical & Inductive Reasoning : | Drawing on insights from philosophy as well as research from cognitive science, psychology, and behavioral economics, this course aims to help students learn to reason better. Emphasis is on inductive and probabilistic reasoning rather than on deductive logic (which is the focus in PHIL 220). Possible topics covered include cognitive biases to which humans are naturally subject, intellectual virtues that promote the attainment of truth, the nature of evidence, the assessment of the quality of an information source, inference to the best explanation, probabilistic reasoning, and decision-making under uncertainty and risk. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 | ||
| PHIL 230 | Disability and Human Dignity | 4 | |
| Description of course Disability and Human Dignity : | This course is a comprehensive introduction to the most pressing issues and questions concerning disability. Students will encounter and critically evaluate longstanding stereotypes and biases about the disadvantages of disability. This course examines disability primarily from a philosophical perspective, yet readings from other disciplines will also be used throughout the course. Some of the central questions examined in the course include: What is disability? Is disability merely a medical condition? In what ways do societal barriers disable? How does economic class impact access to educational, medical and social resources? Does disability itself make a person worse off or is it only social stigmatization and lack of accommodation that makes the lives of those with disabilities worse? How have those with disabilities been disadvantaged in the US? What is the basis for human dignity? What conceptual frameworks allow us to uphold the dignity of those with severe disabilities? Which behaviors and assumptions threaten the equality and dignity of those with disabilities? Prerequisite: PHIL 110 | ||
| PHIL 231 | Philosophies of Social Justice | 4 | |
| Description of course Philosophies of Social Justice : | Action to achieve social justice depends, ultimately, on an understanding of what social justice is. What makes a society just? How is a just society ordered? What does social justice look like up close? If our society is not currently just, how may we justly make it so? This course considers competing (though sometimes overlapping) accounts of social justice that are of continuing relevance today, such as those found in the traditions of classical liberalism, socialism, Catholicism, and critical theory. One goal is to understand where such accounts agree, where they disagree, and why. Another goal is to appreciate how such traditions have animated and continue to animate the pursuit of justice, especially for marginalized persons in the United States. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 | ||
| PHIL 234 | Love, Sex, & Friendship | 4 | |
| Description of course Love, Sex, & Friendship : | This course examines the nature of human love, particularly within marriages and families. Possible topics include: romantic love, sex, dating, and marriage; true friends and friendships of selfish pleasure or advantage; love of family, strangers, and those one doesn’t like; the nature of love (is it a feeling? Is it an act of will?); reciprocity, permanence, and fidelity; love within families, especially spousal and parent/child bonds. Attention will be given to reflection on these topics from within both Catholic intellectual tradition and other traditions and perspectives. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 235 | Politics, Law, and Common Good | 4 | |
| Description of course Politics, Law, and Common Good : | A philosophical examination into the origin, nature, purpose, and legitimacy of government and law, especially as these relate to the good of individuals and the common good. Possible questions include: Are human beings by nature political animals? What justifies political and legal authority? What sorts of political regimes can be just and legitimate? Is there a best type of government? Are there universal human rights and, if so, where do they come from? What are the respective roles of legislator, executive, and judge? Can civil disobedience ever be justified? Can violent revolution? Should government and law take stands on questions of morality, religion, and the meaning of life or try to remain neutral in these matters? The course will consider both classical and contemporary reflection on such topics, including from authors within Catholic intellectual tradition in conversation with other traditions and perspectives. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 240 | Faith and Doubt | 4 | |
| Description of course Faith and Doubt : | This course examines philosophical arguments for and against the existence of God and for the claim that the Christian faith, in particular, has been revealed by God; it also considers how faith, reason, and doubt are related. Possible questions include: Are there any good arguments for God’s existence? Does the evil in the world make it unlikely there is a God? Are faith and reason (including the findings of science) compatible? Could it be reasonable to believe in certain foundational Christian claims such as that Jesus is divine, that Jesus founded and gave authority to the church, and that the Bible is the word of God? Does the plurality of religions undermine the particular claims of any one of them? Can one make religious commitments in a state of doubt about the evidence? Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 241 | Hist. & Philosophy of Medicine | 4 | |
| Description of course Hist. & Philosophy of Medicine : | This course presents an integrated, interdisciplinary examination of philosophical developments in the history of medical science and health care. Students will develop a critical and creative perspective on medicine and health care through philosophical exploration of their history, foundations, and purposes. Students will study important episodes and developments in the history of the theory and practice of medicine and explore philosophical analyses of and arguments about the nature of medical knowledge, health, disease and health care. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 243 | Individual Study | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Individual Study : | No description is available. | ||
| PHIL 245 | Philosophy of Art and Beauty | 4 | |
| Description of course Philosophy of Art and Beauty : | An enquiry into philosophical questions having to do with art, beauty, and other aesthetic qualities. Possible topics include: the nature of beauty, the nature and purpose of art, the role of beauty and art in a well-lived life, the relationship of art to insight and emotion, aesthetic qualities other than beauty, the role of art in the formation of culture and social consciousness, the role of beauty and other aesthetic qualities in nature, and the connection of art and beauty to God. The course pays special attention to reflection on these issues within Catholic intellectual tradition in dialogue with other traditions and perspectives. Case studies of artworks and other aesthetic objects are considered throughout the course. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 250 | Christian Mysteries | 4 | |
| Description of course Christian Mysteries : | Philosophers of religion have engaged in extensive analysis and debate regarding the rational coherence of central Christian doctrines. While philosophical critics of the faith have argued that various Christian doctrines are impossible or contradictory, philosophical defenders of the faith have maintained, on the contrary, that such doctrines can withstand rational scrutiny, employing the resources of philosophy to show how. This course will consider some of these discussions, focusing on such doctrines as the Doctrine of Creation; the Incarnation; the Trinity; the Eucharist; the Atonement; Providence, Grace, and Free Will; and the classical divine attributes (e.g. divine simplicity, immutability, and eternity). Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 254 | Biomedical Ethics | 4 | |
| Description of course Biomedical Ethics : | A philosophical investigation into ethical problems related to medicine and biotechnology, particularly those having to do with issues of special contemporary concern. Possible topics include: the right to healthcare and the just distribution of medical resources; professional-patient relationships and confidentiality; experimentation with human subjects; organ donation, genetic engineering; reproductive rights and abortion; cloning and stem cell research; euthanasia and physician assisted suicide; the ethics of triage and medical decision making; the funding of healthcare; the rights (including conscience rights) and responsibilities of medical professionals and patients; the prevention and control of epidemics. The course gives special attention to reflection on these topics from within Catholic intellectual tradition in dialogue with other traditions and perspectives. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 214. | ||
| PHIL 255 | Technology and Ethics | 4 | |
| Description of course Technology and Ethics : | An application of concepts and principles in philosophical ethics to issues raised by modern technology. Technologies whose ethical use may be considered include: Information Technologies, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Synthetic Genomics and Artificial Life, Reproductive Technologies, Biomedical and Therapeutic Technologies, Human Enhancement Technologies, Agricultural Technologies, and Environmental Technologies. Special attention will be paid to the application of moral concepts and principles from Catholic intellectual tradition in dialogue with other traditions and perspectives. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 256 | Contemporary Social Issues | 4 | |
| Description of course Contemporary Social Issues : | A philosophical examination of contemporary social issues that have public policy implications, with particular attention to the conceptions of the human person, ethics, and law relevant to our thinking about such issues. Possible issues for consideration include abortion, animal rights, the death penalty, environmental sustainability, health care, just wages, immigration, marriage, racial justice, religious liberty, sex and gender, student debt, and wealth distribution. Typically, sections of the course will focus on 3-6 issues per semester. Students may consult the instructor or department about what issues will be considered prior to registration. Attention will be given to philosophical reflection on the issues from within the Catholic intellectual tradition in conversation with other traditions and perspectives. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 258 | Environmental Ethics | 4 | |
| Description of course Environmental Ethics : | A consideration of the ethical dimensions of human interaction with the environment, including inquiry into the scope and justification of our obligations concerning the environment. Possible topics include: the question of who all (or what all) count as the proper objects of moral consideration, animal welfare, species preservation, conservation, climate change, environmental racism, population pressure, sustainability, and what it means to say that human beings are charged with the care of Creation. Special attention will be given to reflection on these topics from within Catholic intellectual tradition, in dialogue with other traditions and perspectives. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 260 | Global Philosophy of Religion | 4 | |
| Description of course Global Philosophy of Religion : | An investigation into Western and non-Western philosophical arguments concerning the nature and justifying bases of religious belief, with special attention to philosophical implications of religious pluralism. Possible questions include: Are there good arguments for the existence of God, of a higher power, of something Ultimate? If so, what is its nature and relationship to the world? What is the purpose of religious devotion or practice? What is the nature of religious experience? Is there such a thing as religious knowledge? Is religiosity compatible with reason? What is evil, and how does it fit into a religious viewpoint? This course considers philosophical reflection on such questions from within the Christian tradition as well as some other religious traditions, such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. It seeks to foster dialogue among religious philosophies. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 265 | Minds, Brains, and Computers | 4 | |
| Description of course Minds, Brains, and Computers : | A philosophical examination of the mind from both classical and contemporary perspectives. Topics that may be covered include: the relation between the mind and the body/brain, theories of the soul and how it relates to mind and brain, theories of personal identity over time, free will, mental causation, functionalist theories of intelligence, computer/artificial intelligence, and the nature of consciousness. The course considers reflection on these topics from within both Catholic intellectual tradition and other traditions and perspectives, and engages contemporary philosophical work informed by brain and computer science. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 269 | Research | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Research : | No description is available. | ||
| PHIL 272 | Evolution and Creation | 4 | |
| Description of course Evolution and Creation : | A philosophical examination of the relation between the doctrine of creation and theories in the evolutionary sciences. The course aims to help integrate insights from science, religion, and philosophy in a constructive and responsible manner. It also introduces students to broader issues in philosophy of science, philosophy of nature, and philosophy of religion as they apply to evolution and creation. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 296 | Topics | 2 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| PHIL 297 | Topics | 4 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| PHIL 298 | Topics | 4 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| PHIL 300 | Philosophical Discussions | 2 | |
| Description of course Philosophical Discussions : | A 2-credit discussion-based course taking up a variety of philosophical questions over the semester designed to connect and integrate different branches of human knowledge within and beyond the discipline of philosophy. The course satisfies the core curriculum Signature Work requirement in line with the university’s mission. Assignments include producing an e-portfolio in which students will reflect on three pieces of work, including one from outside the student’s major. Students are encouraged to connect themes from their e-portfolio to topics discussed in the course. Students of all majors welcome. Prerequisites: PHIL 110 or 115, one additional philosophy course and 80 credits completed. | ||
| PHIL 301 | Signature Work in Philosophy | 4 | |
| Description of course Signature Work in Philosophy : | PHIL 301 is a signature work course in philosophy, open to all students. Topics vary from section to section, but all sections focus on issues relevant to our university’s mission. Various sections will, therefore, focus on questions concerning such things as the nature and dignity of human beings, what makes for a meaningful human life, the compatibility of faith and reason, what makes for a just society, or the application of ethical principles, to a variety of settings and professions, for the sake of the common good. The course provides students the opportunity to reflect on and integrate knowledge acquired throughout their academic career, and to approach problems through multiple disciplinary lenses. Prerequisites: PHIL 110 and at least 80 credits completed by the start of the course. Prerequisites: PHIL 110 and 80 credits completed | ||
| PHIL 302 | Ancient Philosophy | 4 | |
| Description of course Ancient Philosophy : | A survey of the roots of philosophical inquiry in the classical period. The pre-Socratics, Plato, and Aristotle. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 303 | Medieval Philosophy | 4 | |
| Description of course Medieval Philosophy : | An investigation of major philosophical problems in their medieval context. Possible topics include: faith and reason, free will, the role of authority, and the existence of God. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115. | ||
| PHIL 304 | Modern Philosophy | 4 | |
| Description of course Modern Philosophy : | An examination of major philosophers of the early modern period from Rene Descartes to Immanuel Kant, with emphasis on methodology and claims to knowledge. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115, and one other PHIL course. | ||
| PHIL 306 | Contemporary Philosophy | 4 | |
| Description of course Contemporary Philosophy : | An investigation of major philosophical problems from the late nineteenth century to the present, with a focus on prominent philosophers, including thinkers from both the analytic and continental traditions. Prerequisite: PHIL 220 | ||
| PHIL 308 | Indian Philosophy | 4 | |
| Description of course Indian Philosophy : | An examination of foundational philosophical problems discussed in classical Indian schools of thought. Metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical themes will be considered. Though the primary aim of this course is to study Indian philosophy in its own terms, a secondary aim is to examine some ways in which Western thinkers have viewed Indian philosophy through lenses that have distorted its nature and value. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115, and one other PHIL course. | ||
| PHIL 320 | Aristotelian Logic | 4 | |
| Description of course Aristotelian Logic : | A study of Aristotle's Organon, covering such topics as the categories, the nature of propositions, and forms of argument. Emphasis on demonstration (proof of necessary truths) and its distinction from dialectical reasoning. Applications to philosophical texts. Prerequisite: PHIL 220 | ||
| PHIL 325 | Intermediate Symbolic Logic | 4 | |
| Description of course Intermediate Symbolic Logic : | A study of developments in twentieth-century symbolic logic. Possible topics include axiomatic systems, set theory, extensions of predicate logic (such as predicate logic with identity, quantified modal logic, relevance logic, deviant logics), and metatheorems (such as soundness and completeness theorems). Prerequisite: PHIL 220 | ||
| PHIL 330 | Philosophy of Mind | 4 | |
| Description of course Philosophy of Mind : | A study of central issues in the philosophy of mind and soul. Possible topics include the relation between mind and body; the senses, emotions, intellect and will; personal identity. Attention will be given to both the Aristotelian/Thomistic tradition and contemporary philosophy. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115, and one other PHIL course. | ||
| PHIL 335 | Aesthetics | 4 | |
| Description of course Aesthetics : | This course addresses philosophical questions that arise in connection with art and aesthetic experience. Possible topics include: the nature of beauty, artistic representation, aesthetic properties, and the relationship between art and insight, between art and emotion, between art and morality, and between art and religious experience. Prerequisite: Two philosophy courses. | ||
| PHIL 340 | Thought of Thomas Aquinas | 4 | |
| Description of course Thought of Thomas Aquinas : | An examination of some major topics in the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas. Possible topics include: Aquinas's conception of philosophy and its relation to faith; God; and the destiny of the human being. Prerequisite: PHIL 110 or PHIL 115, and one other PHIL course. | ||
| PHIL 350 | Ethics | 4 | |
| Description of course Ethics : | An inquiry into the foundations and methods of moral philosophy. The course focuses on such questions as: Is moral knowledge possible? What is the good life for human beings? Are there objective moral truths? What makes an action right or wrong? Are some types of action always wrong? How does one become a good person? How does morality relate to God? What is morality’s relation to happiness? Special attention will be given to the Aristotelian-Thomistic tradition in conversation with other approaches such as Kantianism, Consequentialism, and Relativism. Prerequisite: PHIL 110. | ||
| PHIL 353 | Machiavelli,Hobbes,Nietzsch | 4 | |
| Description of course Machiavelli,Hobbes,Nietzsch : | An examination of three central figures in the history of political theory, and the challenge each presents to the moral evaluation of the use of political power. Prerequisite: PHIL 214, or PHIL 110 and one other PHIL course. | ||
| PHIL 354 | Biomedical Ethics | 4 | |
| Description of course Biomedical Ethics : | An investigation of ethical problems in medicine and biological technology. Possible topics include: genetic engineering, experimentation with human subjects, the right to health care, and the concept of mental illness. Prerequisite: PHIL 214 or 215 | ||
| PHIL 356 | Contemporary Social Issues | 4 | |
| Description of course Contemporary Social Issues : | An investigation into conceptions of the human person, ethics, and the law related to current issues with public policy implication. Issues chosen at the discretion of the instructor. Prerequisite: PHIL 214 or 215 | ||
| PHIL 357 | Political Philosophy | 4 | |
| Description of course Political Philosophy : | A study of the nature and justification of political authority. Possible topics include natural rights, liberty and equality, the common good and its relation to the individual good, the place of liberty and equality, and the common good in justifying state action. Attention is given to both classical and contemporary authors. Prerequisite: PHIL 214, or PHIL 110 and one other PHIL course. | ||
| PHIL 359 | Philosophy of Law | 4 | |
| Description of course Philosophy of Law : | A study of philosophical problems connected with human law and legal institutions. Possible topics include the nature and kinds of law, the relation of law and morality, analysis of legal concepts, the nature and justification of punishment, and the principles of legal interpretation and reasoning. Attention will be given to both classical and contemporary authors. Prerequisite: PHIL 214, or PHIL 110 and one other PHIL course. | ||
| PHIL 365 | Natural Phil & Metaphysics | 4 | |
| Description of course Natural Phil & Metaphysics : | This course examines central topics in the philosophy of nature and in metaphysics. Possible topics include substance and accident, change and the conditions of substantial generation, matter and form, causality, necessity and possibility, time and persistence through time, universals and particulars, essence and existence, and the transcendentals (unity, truth, goodness, beauty). Attention will be paid both to classical and to contemporary authors. Prerequisite: PHIL 220. | ||
| PHIL 380 | Epistemology | 4 | |
| Description of course Epistemology : | This course considers various accounts of the nature, origin, and limits of human knowledge. Attention will be paid to the main figures in the Western tradition as well as to contemporary authors. Prerequisite: PHIL 220 | ||
| PHIL 385 | Philosophy of Science | 4 | |
| Description of course Philosophy of Science : | Possible topics include the natures of scientific methods, explanation, and theory; the presuppositions of science; how to understand scientific progress and development; whether some sciences are reducible to others; the limits of science; the relationship of science to philosophy, mathematics, religion, and other disciplines; and the difference between science and pseudoscience. Prerequisites: PHIL 110, and one other PHIL course. The second PHIL course prerequisite may be waived by the instructor for science and math majors or minors. | ||
| PHIL 389 | Research | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Research : | No description is available. | ||
| PHIL 393 | Individual Study | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Individual Study : | No description is available. | ||
| PHIL 398 | Topics | 4 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| PHIL 460 | Philosophy of God | 4 | |
| Description of course Philosophy of God : | Systematic treatment of philosophical arguments concerning the existence and attributes of God. Prerequisite: PHIL 365. | ||
| PHIL 485 | Seminar | 4 | |
| Description of course Seminar : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses and prerequisite requirements are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| PHIL 486 | Seminar | 4 | |
| Description of course Seminar : | No description is available. | ||
| PHIL 489 | Topics | 4 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| PHIL 490 | Topics | 4 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| PHIL 495 | Individual Study | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Individual Study : | No description is available. | ||