Philosophy PHIL
Instruction offered by members of the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
Department Head - A. Kazmi
Illustrative Philosophy Course Groupings
This listing is provided to assist students in their selection of related groups of Philosophy courses. Detailed descriptions of all courses and sections of courses may be obtained from the Department Office.
Introductory:
201 275 † 279 †
249 †
History of Philosophy:
301 369 459
303 405 469
305 407 501
307 443 505
343 445 609
355 457
Moral Philosophy:
249 † 349 549
313 † 447 649
329 † 449
347 547
Legal Philosophy, and Social and Political Philosophy:
313 † 453 653
319 525
329 † 553
Metaphysics and Philosophy of Mind:
321 421 621
381 481 681
407 †
Logic:
275 † 379 513
279 † 479 679
377
Philosophy of Logic, Philosophy of Language:
307 † 407 † 671
371 571 691
Epistemology and Philosophy of Science:
363 467 567
367 517 663
463 565 667
Other Courses:
315 409 595
331 435 601
333 589 627
337 590
† Courses which appear in more than one category.
Junior Courses
Note: Philosophy 201, 249, 275 and 279 have no prerequisites and may be taken in any order, except that 275 is not open to students with credit in 279.
Philosophy 201 H(3-1T)
Problems of Philosophy
Provides an introduction to philosophy through the discussion of selected topics such as skepticism, perception, personal identity, free will and determinism, God.
Philosophy 275 H(3-1T)
Introductory Logic
An introduction to deductive and inductive techniques used in appraising arguments. The course will contain some elementary formal logic, but its main focus will be on analysing arguments as they occur in everyday life and ordinary language. An alternative to Philosophy 279.
Note: Not open to students with credit in Philosophy 279 or 377.
Philosophy 279 H(3-1T)
Logic I
Sentential and first-order logic from both deductive and semantic points of view. Some elementary metatheorems.
Note: Not open to students with credit in Philosophy 377.
Senior Courses
Note: Senior courses will not necessarily be taught in every academic year, but will be available in accordance with student requirements and the availability of staff. The Department will normally offer two of Philosophy 301, 303, 305 each academic year.
Philosophy 301 H(3-0)
The Classical Period
An introduction to Philosophy through the study of a period in its history. A selection of philosophers from the Pre-Socratics, through Plato and Aristotle, to the Hellenistic and Roman philosophers will be discussed.
Philosophy 303 H(3-0)
The Medieval and Renaissance Period
An introduction to Philosophy through the study of a period in its history. A selection of philosophers from Augustine to Montaigne, such as Boethius, Abelard, Ibn Rushd, Maimonides, Aquinas, Ockham, and Erasmus will be discussed.
Philosophy 305 H(3-0)
The Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries
An introduction to Philosophy through the study of a period in its history. A selection of philosophers from Descartes to Kant will be discussed.
Philosophy 307 H(3-0)
Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Analytic Philosophy
An introduction to Philosophy through the study of a period in its history. A selection of philosophers from Mill to Quine, such as Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein, Ayer, Camap and Austin will be discussed.
Philosophy 313 H(3-0)
Bioethics
A critical and analytical examination of ethical and legal problems arising in and about health care. Issues to be considered may include euthanasia, abortion, the conditions for the withdrawal of treatment, the physician-patient relationship, research on human subjects, genetic engineering. The practical applications of ethical and legal theory are emphasized. Students with a background or special interest in the biological and medical sciences, health care, or medical jurisprudence may find this course particularly helpful.
Philosophy 315 H(3-0)
Philosophy in Literature
Designed to acquaint the student with various philosophical problems, theories and points of view as these find expression in works of literature from classical times to the present. Authors to be studied may range from Homer to Orwell and Huxley. In years when the course is offered a course outline giving authors and aspects of philosophy to be treated will be available from the Department office.
Philosophy 319 H(3-0)
Law and Philosophy
An investigation of philosophical accounts of the nature of law and legal systems. For intending law students and for undergraduates who want to increase their understanding of the character and role of law in a society. Acquaints the student with central positions in jurisprudence, such as natural law theories, legal realism, legal positivism, and relations between law and morality.
Philosophy 321 H(3-0)
Metaphysics
An examination of such topics as categories, existence, persons, space, time, necessity.
Prerequisites: A previous course in Philosophy or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 329 H(3-0)
Business Ethics
A critical and analytical examination of some central moral problems that arise in and for business. Emphasis throughout the course will be placed not only on the details of the particular problems studied but also on the conceptual and other tools needed to understand and resolve or solve such problems. Topics to be discussed will include the moral responsibilities and rights of corporations and their officers, codes of business ethics, and conflicts of responsibilities and rights.
Philosophy 331 H(3-0)
Philosophy of Religion
A philosophical examination of the fundamental concepts of religious thinking.
Prerequisites: Religious Studies 205 or a previous course in Philosophy or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 333 H(3-0)
Aesthetics
An examination of the criteria and concepts employed in aesthetic evaluation.
Philosophy 337 H(3-0)
Feminist Philosophy
Issues in feminist philosophy and methodology. Topics may include feminist theories of knowledge and science, ethics, metaphysics, political theory and feminist methodology.
Philosophy 343 H(3-0)
Plato
A study of the writings of Plato.
Prerequisites: A previous course in the History of Philosophy or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 347 H(3-0)
Contemporary Moral Problems
A critical and analytical examination of some current moral issues. Topics to be investigated may include: authority, religion in society, suicide, sexual morality, abortion, the legal enforcement of morality, justice.
Philosophy 349 H(3-0)
Contemporary Ethical Theories
A detailed investigation of some central normative ethical theories, including utilitarian, contractarian, and deontological theories.
Prerequisites: A previous course in Philosophy or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 355 H(3-0)
Hume
A study of the writings of Hume.
Prerequisites: A previous course in the History of Philosophy or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 363 H(3-0)
Epistemology
A study of some of the central problems in epistemology, including the following: knowledge and belief, empirical (perceptual and inductive) knowledge, a priori knowledge, appearance and reality, truth, scepticism.
Prerequisites: A previous course in Philosophy or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 367 H(3-0)
Science and Philosophy
For students in any discipline who would like to understand some of the fundamental principles of scientific enquiry. Topics will include scientific explanation, theory, prediction and confirmation.
Philosophy 369 H(3-0)
Nineteenth Century European Philosophy
A study of the major currents in nineteenth-century philosophy. Central figures in this tradition include Fichte, Schelling, Hegel, Feuerbach, Marx, Kierkegaard, Schopenhauer and Nietzsche. The particular works and authors studied will vary from year to year.
Prerequisites: A previous course in Philosophy or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 371 H(3-0)
Philosophy of Language
A study of some of the central issues in philosophy of language, including the following: meaning, reference, truth, and their relationships. Other topics may include relationships between language and logic, language and knowledge, language and reality, language and acts performed through its use.
Prerequisites: Philosophy 279 or 377 or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 377 H(3-0)
Elementary Formal Logic
Sentential and first-order logic, with identity and descriptions, from both deductive and semantic points of view. Completeness, compactness, decidability for sentential logic.
Note: Not open to students with credit in Philosophy 279.
Philosophy 379 H(3-0)
Logic II
Introduction to the metatheory of logical systems. Completeness, compactness, Löwenheim-Skolem, and undecidability theorems for first-order logic. Preview of non-standard models, second-order logic, and Göedel's first incompleteness theorem.
Prerequisites: Philosophy 279 or 377 or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 381 H(3-0)
Philosophy of Mind
A study of topics such as: thought, emotions, action and the will, mind-body identity, personal identity, and theories about the nature of mind.
Prerequisites: A previous course in Philosophy or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 399 H(3-0)
Topics in Philosophy
A detailed examination of a topic or tradition in European or Anglo-American philosophy. In years when the course is being offered a detailed course outline giving the topic or tradition to be discussed will be available.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 405 H(3-0)
Early Modern Authors
A study of the writings of a seventeenth or eighteenth century philosopher other than Hume or Kant. In years when the course is offered a course outline giving the author and aspects of his/her philosophy to be treated will be available from the department office.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, one of which must be Philosophy 301, 303, or 305; or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 407 H(3-0)
Twentieth Century Analytic Philosophy
A study of the writings of a selected set of twentieth century analytical philosophers, which may include authors such as Russell, Wittgenstein, Austin, Quine, Putnam, Kripke, Dummett, Davidson. In years when the course is offered a course outline giving the authors to be discussed will be available from the department office.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy at least one of which must be a 300 or higher level course, and the other of which must be either Philosophy 279 or 377; or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 409 H(3-0)
Current Topics in Philosophy
An intensive study of a selected current topic in Philosophy
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, at least one of which is at the 300 level, or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 421 H(3-0)
Problems in Metaphysics
An intensive study of a selected problem in metaphysics.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in philosophy, at least one of which must be a 300 or higher level course; or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 435 H(3-0)
Topics in Aesthetics
An intensive study of a selected topic in Aesthetics.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, at least one of which is at the 300 level, or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 443 H(3-0)
Aristotle
A study of the writings of Aristotle.
Prerequisites: At least one of Philosophy 301, 303, 305, 343; or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 445 H(3-0)
Aquinas
A study of the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, one of which must be Philosophy 301 or 303 or 305; or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 447 H(3-0)
Issues in Environmental Ethics
A philosophical examination of selected issues concerning how human beings ought to conduct themselves in relation to other living species and the natural environment. Topics may include: obligations to future generations; animal liberation theories; population policy; pollution; the value of species diversity and species preservation; biocentric and holistic ethical theories of environment; ethical dimension of environmental policy formation.
Prerequisites: One of Philosophy 249, 313, 329, 347, 349 or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 449 H(3-0)
Contemporary Meta-Ethics
A study of recent theories about the meaning of moral terms, the nature of moral reasoning, and the relations between facts and values. Theories to be studied will include naturalism, intuitionism, emotivism, prescriptivism, and nihilism.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, at least one of which must be a 300 or higher level course, and one of which must be a moral philosophy course; or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 453 H(3-0)
Social and Political Philosophy
A study of fundamental issues in social and political thought. Topics which may be studied include: rights, justice, authority, equality, freedom, democracy, property, liberalism, communitarianism, socialism, and Marxism.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, at least one of which must be a 300 or higher level course; or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 457 H(3-0)
Kant
A study of the writings of Kant.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, one of which must be Philosophy 301 or 303 or 305; or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 459 H(3-0)
Hegel
A study of the writings of Hegel.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, one of which must be Philosophy 301 or 303 or 305; or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 463 H(3-0)
Problems in Epistemology
An intensive study of a selected problem in epistemology.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, at least one of which must be a 300 or higher level course; or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 467 H(3-0)
Problems in the Philosophy of Science
An examination of the central methodological and foundational issues arising in the sciences.
Prerequisites: Philosophy 275 or 279 or 377 or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 469 H(3-0)
Twentieth-Century European Philosophy
A study of the major currents in twentieth-century philosophy. Central figures in this tradition include Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, Adorno, Marcuse, Habermas, Foucault, Derrida, Kristeva and Irigaray. The particular works and authors studied will vary from year to year.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, one of which must be at the 300 level; or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 479 H(3-0)
Logic III
Advanced metatheory for logical systems. Gödel's incompleteness theorems, models of arithmetic, and definability.
Prerequisites: Philosophy 379 or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 481 H(3-0)
Problems in the Philosophy of Mind
An intensive study of a selected problem in the philosophy of mind.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, at least one of which must be a 300 or higher level course; or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 501 H(3-0)
Topics in Ancient Philosophy
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, at least one of which must be a course in the History of Philosophy and one of which must be a 400 or higher level course; or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 503 H(3-0)
Topics in Medieval Philosophy
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, at least one of which must be a course in the History of Philosophy and one of which must be a 400 or higher level course; or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 505 H(3-0)
Topics in Modern Philosophy
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, at least one of which must be a course in the History of Philosophy and one of which must be a 400 or higher level course; or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 513 H(3-0)
Modal Logic
Introduction to the logical analysis of modal and intensional language. Semantics and axiomatics of sentential and quantificational modal logics. Philosophical problems of reference and modality.
Prerequisites: Philosophy 279 or 377 or consent of the Department.
Philosophy 517 H(3-0)
Topics in the History and Philosophy of Science
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, one of which must be a 400 or higher level course; or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 519 H(3-0)
(Linguistics 519)
Formal Semantics of Natural Language
Central issues in the logical semantics of natural language, focusing on topics such as quantification, scope, and the interpretation of pronouns.
Prerequisites: Philosophy 279 or 377 or consent of the Department. Philosophy 371 or Linguistics 319 recommended.
Note: Not open to students with credit in Linguistics 509.
Philosophy 525 H(3-0)
Advanced Topics in Philosophy of Law
An intensive examination of a selected topic in the philosophy of law. Possible topics include: principles of responsibility and criminal law, legal reasoning and legal theory, economic analyses of law, theory and principles of tort law, theory and principles of contract law, the authority of law.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, one of which must be Philosophy 319, and one of which must be a 400 or higher level course; or consent of the Department. Philosophy 449 or 453 are strongly recommended.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 547 H(3-0)
Advanced Applied Ethics
An investigation of one or more issues in applied ethics using results from normative ethical theory and meta-ethical theory.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, one of which must be either 348 or 349 or 449, and one of which must be a 400 or higher level course; or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 549 H(3-0)
Advanced Ethics
An intensive investigation of one or more issues in normative ethical theory or meta-ethics.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, one of which must be Philosophy 349 or Philosophy 449, and one of which must be a 400 or higher level course; or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 553 H(3-0)
Advanced Political Philosophy
An intensive investigation of one or more issues in political philosophy.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, one of which must be a 300 or higher level course, and one of which must be a 400 or higher level course; or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 565 H(3-0)
Philosophical Topics in the Sciences
A study of philosophical issues arising in a particular area of science. Possible topics include philosophy of biology, philosophy of social sciences, and philosophy of physics. Consult Department for specific topic in a given semester.
Note: This course is intended for students who have already done advanced work either in philosophy or in one of the sciences.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 567 H(3-0)
Advanced Philosophy of Science
An intensive study of a methodological or foundational issue in the philosophy of science.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, one of which must be either 367 or 467, and one of which must be a 400 or higher level course; or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 571 H(3-0)
Philosophy of Logic and Philosophy of Language
An intensive study of topics such as the following: meaning, reference, propositions, identity, entailment, speech acts, analyticity.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, one of which must be either 279 or 377, and one of which must be a 400 or higher level course; or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 589 H(3-0)
Advanced Topics in Philosophy
Intensive examination of an issue which philosophers are currently exploring. The topic for a given session will be announced in the master timetable.
Prerequisites: Two previous courses in Philosophy, at least one of which must be at the 400 level or above; or consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Philosophy 595 H(3-0)
Directed Reading
Directed reading for students in their third or fourth years. This course is intended primarily for Majors and Honours students, but is open to others.
Prerequisites: Consent of the Department.
Note: Students wishing to register in this course must first consult with the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
Graduate Courses
With the exception of Philosophy 590 and Philosophy 595, courses numbered 500-599 may be taken for credit in the Graduate program in Philosophy. Details of the specific topics to be taught in all 600-level courses in Philosophy will be announced in the Department brochure and, when possible, in the master timetable.