Philosophy

This course is a general introduction to basic problems and topics of philosophy. It presumes no background in philosophy. It surveys various philosophical topics in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, philosophy of mind, and political philosophy. Prerequisite: Must be eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010.

Examines how and why people use a philosophy to deal with life's concerns, for our relationships with society and the world, and our pursuit of a meaningful place within these wider realms. Writing in content area. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010.

Examines today's important ethical consideration about abortion, euthanasia, drug legalization, racial harmony, free speech, environmentalism welfare, affirmative action, world hunger and similar issues. Attention to underlying larger philosophical concerns on nature, value, rights, and responsibilities of human beings. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010.

Main ethical theories of traditional Western thought. Meanings and validity of value judgments, social consequences of value theory, examination of major traditional moral philosophies, and a survey of contemporary development in ethical theory. Upper-level course. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010.

Introduction to issues, problems, and modes of thinking in contemporary philosophy. Explores topics of current concern in both the analytic and continental traditions of philosophy. Readings selected from works of contemporary authors such as Russel, Moore, Ayer, Austin, Heidegger, Gadamer, Derrida, and Rorty. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010.

Explores issues concerning how humans ought to relate to and interact with their environment as individuals, through organizations and as a species. Examines environmental dilemmas relating to human population, poverty, animal rights, and intrinsic versus instrumental valuations of nature. Upper-level course. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010.

Ethical issues arising in medicine, nursing, and other health care professions. Truth-telling and confidentiality, informed consent, fetal vs. maternal rights, euthanasia, the treatment of AIDS, genetic testing and engineering, medical resources, and social health care. Writing in content area. Upper-level course. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or any philosophy course.

Fundamental problems of religious thought. Arguments for the existence of God, the problem of evil, criteria of plausibility of religious claims, immortality, and church and state. Some attention to non-Western religions. Writing in content area. Upper-level course. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or any philosophy course.

Republicanism, libertarianism, democracy, socialism, communism, fascism, and anarchism are discussed and compared. The historical origins and contemporary views of justice, liberty, human rights, the public good, and political participation are examined. Writing in content area. Upper-level course. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010.

Application of ethical views to problems which arise in doing business in the U.S. Topics range from interpersonal relationships to advertising and investment policies to quality control. Upper-level course. Writing in content area. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010; philosophy course recommended.