PL 101H: Introduction to Philosophy
Explores classic philosophical problems such as the nature of truth, free will, personal identity, God's existence, the mind-body problem, ethical obligations, the meaning of life, giving an overview of the major fields of philosophy.
PL 102M: Introduction to Logic
Methods of critical and logical analysis of language and thought. Helps develop critical, analytical reasoning and linguistic precision.
PL 103G: Introduction to Eastern Philosophy
(Directed Study Available) Philosophical questions on the nature of reality, society, and self in East Asian philosophy with emphasis on metaphysics and ethics.
PL 104H: Introduction to Ethics
Various systems for judging good and bad, right and wrong. Definitions of the good life, ethical theories and their application to issues such as abortion, civil rights, war and peace, censorship, etc.
PL 201H: Philosophical Topics
Introduction to philosophical argumentation and writing by the study of texts in philosophy, central figures, or schools of thought. May be repeated once for credit if content changes. See individual course listings for each semester for the specific topic and any prerequisites.
PL 203H: Knowledge Freedom Power
Philosophical explorations of the nature and importance of knowledge, freedom, and power in key texts from the history of modern philosophy, from the renaissance to the twentieth century.
PL 204H: Animal Ethics
Animal Ethics examines our responsibilities to other species, the intrinsic value of nature, the historical roots of anthropocentrism, and the ethics of the use of animals to further the ends of human beings.
PL 210E: Ideas of Nature
A critical exploration of various conceptions of nature from the ancient world to the present. What nature is, how it can be studied, how we should relate to it. Primary approach is critical, historical analysis of primary texts.
PL 214H: Philosophy of Love and Death
Experiencing love and facing our mortality compel us to ask fundamental questions concerning human existence. This course considers how ancient and modern philosophy construct our conceptions of intimacy, friendship, death, and the afterlife.
PL 220H: Existentialism
A provocatively modern approach to many of the issues of the philosophical tradition; the existential foundations of art, religion, science and technology.
PL 240H: Philosophy of Technology
We use tools and technologies to reshape the environment, but they also change us. We will consider the impacts on humans, on society, and on the world of several important developments in the history of technology, paying special attention to information technologies such as computer algorithms, the internet, and artificial intelligence.
PL 242H: Philosophy of AI
Introduction to philosophical questions raised by artificial intelligence: what it means to say that a machine is intelligent, whether such intelligence is compatible with human values, and what ethical responsibilties come with this new technology.
PL 243E: Environmental Ethics
A philosophical investigation of our relationship to the natural environment, and how these considerations affect our moral obligations to other people, as well as future generations.
PL 244H: Social and Political Philosophy
Major social and political theories that have been influential in the West. Contemporary political theory examined in light of classical tradition and historical movements. Offered alternate years.
PL 245A: Aesthetics
Examine the nature of art, the character of aesthetic experience, and a vareity of philosophical questions related to art and beauty.
PL 246H: Philosophy and Film
Simultaneously an introduction to the philosophy of film and an introduction to philosophy, this course will use an examination of mostly non-conventional films as a starting point for considering philosophical themes.
PL 250H: Philosophy of Mind
Explores recent topics at the intersection of philosophy and the mind sciences, e.g. perception, empathy, emotion, animal minds, inner speech, memory, neurodiversity, and AI psychotherapy chatbots.
PL 260H: Philosophy of Science
Explores philosophical questions relating to the goals, practices, and objects of science, with special attention to the life sciences. Students will examine canonical philosophical writings about science alongside recent empirical and theoretical works.
PL 301H: Philosophical Topics
Develop philosophical argumentation and writing skills through the study of texts in philosophy, central figures, or schools of thought. May be repeated once for credit if content changes. Recommended for students who have taken at least one prior humanities class. See individual course listings for each semester for the specific topic and any prerequisites.
PL 311H: Major Philosophers
An intensive study of one or two major philosophers. May be taken more than once for credit with focus on different philosophers.
PL 499: Senior Thesis
