University of Windsor - Academic Calendar, 1998-1999

Philosophy
Officers Of Instruction
Program Regulations
Programs Of Study
Minor in Philosophy
General Philosophy
Honours Philosophy
Combined Honours Programs
Course Descriptions

Political Science

Psychology

Religious Studies

Social Work

Sociology and Anthropology

Visual Arts

Interdisciplinary Programs

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS, EDUCATION, AND LAW

COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH

AWARDS AND FINANCIAL AID

GENERAL INFORMATION

GENERAL INDEX

GLOSSARY

3.12 Philosophy

(Ext. 2317)
OFFICERS OF INSTRUCTION
Professor Emeritus
Nielsen, Harry A.; A.B. (Rutgers), M.A. (Connecticut), Ph.D. (Nebraska)—1968.

University Professor
Johnson, Ralph Henry; B.A. (Xavier), M.A., Ph.D. (Notre Dame)—1966.

Professors
Brown, Jerome V.; B.A. (Iona College, N.Y.), M.A., Ph.D. (Toronto), M.S.L. (Pontif. Inst.)—1961.

Lewis, John Underwood; A.B. (North Texas State), Ph.D. (Marquette)—1964.

Blair, John Anthony; B.A. (McGill), M.A. (Michigan)—1967.

Wright, John P.; B.A., M.A. (Toronto), Ph.D. (York)—1983.

Westra, Laura; B.A. (York), M.A., Ph.D. (Toronto)—1990.

Associate Professors
Pinto, Robert Charles; B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Toronto)—1963.

Cook, Deborah; B.A., M.A. (Ottawa), Doct. 3e cycle (Sorbonne)—1989.

Fisher, Linda J.; B.A. (Wilfrid Laurier), M.A. (Ottawa), Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State)—1992.

Cross-Appointment
Conklin, William E.; B.A. (Toronto), M.Sc. (L.S.E., London), LL.B. (Toronto), LL.M. (Columbia), Ph.D. (York), of Osgoode Hall, Barrister-at-Law—1977.

3.12.1 PROGRAM REGULATIONS

Academic Advising: Students are advised to consult an advisor in selecting 200-, and especially 300- numbered courses. All Philosophy majors, general and honours, should plan their programs in consultation with the advisor.

Course Cycling: In planning their course selections, students should bear in mind that some (mainly 100-level) Philosophy courses are offered every term, others every other term, some once a year, some every third term, and some every other year.

Particular Requirements
Combined Honours Philosophy and Mathematics requires OAC English I, Algebra and Geometry, and Calculus. (Finite Mathematics is strongly recommended.)

For Combined Honours Philosophy and Psychology, OAC Calculus is strongly recommended.

3.12.2 PROGRAMS OF STUDY

Minor, general degree, honours degree, and combined honours degree are available in Philosophy.

Areas of Study
Most philosophy courses are intended for students majoring in other subjects who desire a well-rounded liberal arts education, as well as for philosophy majors. Students who might want to take more than one philosophy course are advised to check the prerequisites of courses numbered in the 200s and 300s. 34-110 is a good introduction to philosophy in general, and 34-122 is a good introduction to ethics.

Minor in Philosophy
Required: a minimum of six philosophy courses, with no more than two at the 100 level and with at least one history of philosophy course. (See any Philosophy course numbers with 7 as the middle digit.)

General Philosophy
Total courses: thirty.

Major requirements: ten philosophy courses, with no more than two at the 100-level, selected as follows:
(a) Introductory requirement: 34-110 or 34-112;
(b) History of Philosophy requirements: at least one Greek or Medieval (34-270, 34-271, 34-272), at least one Early Modern (34-274, 34-275, 34-375), and at least one nineteenth or twentieth century (34-372, 34-373, 34-374, 34-376, 34-377);
(c) Ethics requirement: at least one 020 course;
(d) Logic requirement: at least one of 34-260, 34-261 or 34-262.

Option requirements (see 2.5.14 for subject areas): six courses including
(a) two Social Science courses;
(b) two Language courses in the same language or two Science courses;
(c) two additional courses from Arts, Languages, Social Science or Science.

Other requirements
(a) eight other courses from Arts, Langauges, Social Science, or Science, excluding Philosophy;
(b) six more courses from any area of study including Philosophy.

Honours Philosophy
Total courses: forty.
Major requirements: twenty philosophy courses, with no more than two at the 100-level, selected as follows:

(a) Introductory requirement: 34-110 or 34-112;
(b) History of Philosophy requirements: at least six 070 courses, including: at least one Greek or Medieval (34-270, 34-271, 34-272), at least one Early Modern (34-274, 34-275, 34-375), and at least one nineteenth or twentieth century (34-372, 34-373, 34-374, 34-376, 34-377, 34-378);
(c) Problems and Issues requirements: at least four of the following courses (34-240, 34-250, 34-252, 34-253, 34-350, 34-353, 34-354, 34-380, 34-381);
(d) Ethics requirements: at least two 020-numbered courses at the 200-level or 300-level;
(e) Logic requirements: at least two of 34-260, 34-261, 34-262;
(f) Honours Seminar: 34-491.

Other requirements:
(a) four other courses from Arts, Languages, Social Science, or Science, including Philosophy;
(b) four more courses from Arts, Languages, Social Science, or Science, excluding Philosophy;
(c) six other courses from any area of study excluding Philosophy.

Combined Honours Programs
Total courses: forty.
Major requirements—Philosophy: sixteen philosophy courses, no more than two at the 100-level, selected as follows:
(a) Introductory requirement: 34-110 or 34-112;
(b) History of Philosophy requirements: at least four 070 courses, including: at least one Greek or Medieval (34-270, 34-271, 34-272), at least one Early Modern (34-274, 34-275, 34-375), and at least one nineteenth or twentieth century (34-372, 34-373, 34-374, 34-376, 34-377, 34-378);
(c) Problems and Issues requirements: at least three of the following courses (34-240, 34-250, 34-252, 34-253, 34-350, 34-353, 34-354, 34-380, 34-381);
(d) Ethics requirements: at least two 020-numbered courses at the 200-level or 300-level;
(e) Logic requirement: at least one of 34-260, 34-261, or 34-262.

Major requirements—Other subject: as prescribed by that area of study.
Option requirements (see 2.5.14 for subject areas): six courses including
(a) two Social Science courses;
(b) two Language courses in the same language or two Science courses;
(c) two additional courses from Arts, Languages, Social Science or Science.

Other requirements: additional options (if required) to a total of forty courses.

M.A. Degree in Philosophy
See the Graduate Calendar for details about the M.A. program in Philosophy.

3.12.3 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

All courses listed are three hours a week unless otherwise indicated.
Not all courses are offered every term.

34-110. Introduction to Western Philosophy
An introduction to philosophy through the study of major figures and movements in the Western philosophical tradition. The figures and themes selected for any given year will be chosen by the instructor.

34-112. Philosophy and Human Nature
What is human nature? How do we think of ourselves as human beings? The course will examine several of the principal theories of human nature that have been put forward in Western philosophy.

34-122. Introduction to Ethics
A survey of the main contending positions on basic questions of ethics: Are all moral values and norms subjective or objective, relative or absolute? What makes right actions right? What has intrinsic value? What is the good life for human beings?

34-130. Philosophy and Popular Culture
A philosophical inquiry into some of the more important cultural forms and phenomena of the late twentieth century. Topics may include rock music, television, or virtual reality, among others.

34-160. Reasoning Skills
An explanation of, and practice in, the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes which are essential components of reasoning well.

34-222, Social and Political Philosophy
An examination of some of the main contending theories about the nature of society and the state, or of some of the central controversies in social and political theory. (Prerequisite: second year standing.)

34-224. Business Ethics
An introduction to some central ethical notions (e.g., justice, the common good, moral vs. legal obligation); application of these issues and concepts to cases drawn from the experiences of business men and women (concerned with such issues as corporate responsibility, conflict of interest, honesty in advertising, preferential hiring, corporate responsibility for environmental externalities).

34-226. Law, Punishment and Morality
An introduction to the philosophical issues related to understanding the nature of law and legal obligation, the relation between law and morality, and the purpose of punishment. The theoretical points and distinctions will be illustrated by their applications to particular current issues. (Prerequisite: second year standing.)

34-227. Environmental Ethics
Environmental concerns about the welfare of planet earth have been addressed by philosophers in a variety of ways. Some have argued that traditional ethical theories (utilitarianism, eudaemonism, contractarianism, formalism) can be extended to provide guiding principles for the solution of environmental problems. Others have argued that only a new approach to philosophical ethics can yield the requisite principles. Both approaches, as well as the range of theoretical and practical issues of interests to theorist and concerned professional alike, will be represented in this course.

34-228. Technology and Human Values
An exploration of the philosophically important ethical concepts of human nature, freedom, progress and moral responsibility as these relate to advances in technology. Reading and discussion of case studies dealing with the impact of civil, industrial, military and medical projects on human safety, morale and dignity as well as resources and natural beauty. Topical areas include a wide range, such as the disposal of toxic material and the moral limits of research in biotechnology and transgenics.

34-229. Contemporary Moral Issues
A critical examination of arguments about controversial moral issues. Readings will be chosen by the instructor on issues connected with one or several of such areas as: biomedical ethics, euthanasia, suicide, environmental ethics, the treatment of animals, war and violence, pornography and censorship.

34-230. Philosophical Themes in Literature
Either a selection of works of literature will be studied with a view to the philosophical themes and ideas expressed in them, or philosophical treatments of literature will be studied, or both. The texts chosen will vary from year to year. The course may also consider the use of different literary genres in which philosophy itself is presented—for example, poetry, the popular essay, and the philosophical dialogue. (Prerequisite: second year standing.)

34-236. Feminism and Philosophy
An introduction to the ideas and issues of contemporary feminism and feminist theory. The course combines a study of historical and contemporary theories of feminism with an examination of key themes in philosophical feminism and feminist theory, such as sexism and oppression, theories of women, sex, gender, language, and feminist identity, methodology, and politics. (Prerequisite: second year standing.)

34-240. Philosophy of Religion
An examination of the philosophical problems involved with religious belief and language. Can the existence of God be proven? Can the non-existence of God be proven? Can claims to religious knowledge be legitimized? Is there a unique logic of religious language that is cognitively meaningful? Is there any basis for claims about life after death? What is the nature of faith? These are the sorts of questions which are dealt with in this course. (Prerequisite: second year standing.)

34-242. Aesthetics
Aesthetics is concerned with problems which arise in the appreciation of objects which are deemed to have aesthetic value. Problems which may be raised in this course include the nature of aesthetic experience and aesthetic objects such as works of art and nature, as well as problems related to aesthetic value and judgment. (Prerequisite: second year standing.)

34-250. Metaphysics
An examination of basic and very general questions about the nature of reality. What kinds of things are real, and what distinguishes the real from the ideal, or the real from the illusory? Are there abstract entities, such as numbers? What is the nature of necessity and possibility, of essence and existence? Both traditional and contemporary approaches to these questions will be considered in this course. (Prerequisite: second year standing.)

34-252. Existentialism
A study of the views of some of the major existentialists. Figures studied may include Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, Camus and Jaspers. (Prerequisite: second year standing.)

34-253. Philosophy of Science
What is a scientific explanation? A scientific theory? Do theories really describe reality? Or are they merely convenient tools for determining future observation? Does anything exist in the real world of the scientist besides observations? How does one distinguish between science and pseudo-science? This course includes an examination of the logical empiricist conception of science, and one or two recent criticisms of it. (Prerequisite: second year standing.)

34-260. Informal Logic: Fallacy
The objective is to develop the ability to discriminate between good and bad arguments found in everyday settings, using the concept of fallacy. A variety of kinds of fallacy are explained, and the skill of identifying them is taught. The basic tools for analyzing arguments are presented and put to use. Material for analysis is drawn from newspapers, current periodicals, and other sources of actual arguments. (Prerequisite: second year standing.)

34-261. Informal Logic: Argumentation
The objective is to develop the ability to analyze and evaluate extended arguments found in the public media, books and articles, and to construct a well-argued case. (Prerequisite: 34-260, or 34-160 and permission of the instructor, or permission of the instructor.)

34-262. Symbolic Logic
The course covers propositional logic as well as an introduction to the basic concepts of predicate logic. Topics include the construction of symbolic representation of sentences in natural language, semantic methods for evaluating symbolic formulas, and methods of constructing deductions or proofs. (Prerequisite: second year standing.)

34-270. Greek Philosophy: Plato
Early Greek philosophy with emphasis on Socrates and Plato, with readings from a cross-section of early Greek philosophers and from Plato's Dialogues. (Prerequisites: second year standing and one prior philosophy course.)

34-271. Greek Philosophy: Aristotle
Later Greek philosophy to the close of classical antiquity with emphasis on Aristotle, with readings from Aristotle, the Epicureans, the Stoics and Plotinus. (Prerequisites: second year standing and one prior philosophy course.)

34-272. Medieval Philosophy
Philosophy in medieval Europe from the fourth through the fourteenth centuries. The course will deal with a selection of topics and philosophical thinkers (the selection may vary, depending on the instructor). Topics may include: being, knowledge and truth, logic and the problem of universals, the "ontological" argument for the existence of God, divine foreknowledge and human freedom, faith and reason, Platonism and Aristotelianism in medieval philosophy. Philosophical thinkers may include: Augustine, Boethius, John Scotus Eriugena, Anselm, Abelard, Avicenna, Averroes, Moses Maimonides, Bonaventure, Thomas Aquinas, John Duns Scotus, William of Ockham. (Prerequisites: second year standing and one prior philosophy course.)

34-273. Early Modern Philosophy: The Seventeenth Century
An examination of major themes of European thought at the time of the scientific revolution. These may include: the overthrow of the Medieval world view, the revival of Epicureanism, empiricism vs. rationalism, mechanical world view, universal doubt and the grounds of certainty, modern subjectivity, dualism and its critics, God and the world. The views of Descartes will be explored along with the views of some of the following figures: Copernicus, Galileo, Bacon, Hobbes, Malebranche, Spinoza, Leibnitz and Boyle. (Prerequisites: second year standing and one prior philosophy course.)

34-275. Early Modern Philosophy: The Eighteenth Century
The philosophy of the enlightenment. Themes discussed may include the following: toleration and the origins of liberal political theory, popular sovereignty, the rationality of religion, the nature of a person, idealism vs. realism, materialism, the nature of a causation, the origin of ideas, scepticism and deism. Along with some of the major figures such as Hume, Locke and Berkeley, the following thinkers may also be taught: Bayle, La Mettrie, Voltaire, Rousseau and Diderot. (Prerequisites: second year standing and one prior philosophy course.)

34-280-289. Special Topics
Special Topics courses will be offered occasionally, as resources allow, to meet a demonstrated academic need, where that need cannot be satisfied by any of the regular course offerings. Interested students should inquire in the Philosophy area office. (Prerequisites: second year standing and permission of the an advisor in Philosophy.)

34-320. Ethical Theory
An examination of ethical theory from one or more of the following perspectives: (a) the dominant theories current in moral philosophy, (b) some of the central controversies in current ethical theory, (c) an in-depth study of one classical ethical theory, or (d) an in-depth study of the position of a major thinker. (Prerequisites: second year standing and one prior philosophy course.)

34-342. Philosophy of Education
A critical examination of theories about the nature, goals and values of education. The approach of the course may be historical, contemporary or a mixture. (Prerequisites: second year standing and at least one prior philosophy course, or permission of the instructor.)

34-350. Theory of Knowledge
The nature of knowledge. Topics may include the relation of knowledge to experience, the bases of rationality, the significance of scepticism. (Prerequisite: 34-110 or 34-112, or at least one 200-level Philosophy course, or permission of the instructor.)

34-353. Philosophy of Mind
An examination of contemporary views about the nature of mind and its relation to the body. What is meant by "mind"? What is the essential property of mind? Is mind an independent entity or just a property of the body? Is talk of minds reducible to talk about brains or to talk about human behaviour? Can animals think? Can computers think? Various philosophical positions on such questions are studied critically. (Prerequisite: 34-110 or 34-112, or at least one 200-level Philosophy course, or permission of the instructor.)

34-354. Phenomenology
Phenomenology is the systematic study of the nature and structure of conscious experience. This course traces the history and thematic development of the phenomenological movement through an examination of key ideas and themes as expressed in the work of thinkers such as Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre and Merleau-Ponty. (Prerequisite: 34-110 or 34-112, or at least one 200-level Philosophy course, or permission of the instructor.)

34-355. Post-structuralist Theory
Philosophers studied in this course may include Derrida, Foucault, Lyotard, Deleuze and Guattari. (Prerequisite: 34-110 or 34-112, or at least one 200-level Philosophy course, or permission of the instructor.)

34-360. Argumentation Theory
Topics may include: the nature and uses of argument; the evaluation of argument; arguments and argumentation; the relations between argument and rhetoric, logic, and pragmatics; linguistic theories of argument; ethics and epistemology related to argument; the role of argument in philosophy. (Prerequisite: 34-260 or 34-261, or permission of the instructor.)

34-372. Twentieth-Century British Philosophy
A study of significant developments in recent British thought in this century, as embodied in key works by figures such as Russell, Moore, Wittgenstein, and some contemporary analytic philosophers. (Prerequisite: 34-110 or at least one 200-level Philosophy course, or permission of instructor.)

34-373. Twentieth-Century American Philosophy
A study of major thinkers who shaped recent American thought, with emphasis on the development of pragmatism at the hands of Peirce, James, and Dewey, and the works of recent analytic philosophers such as Quine and Carnap. (Prerequisite: 34-110 or 34-112, or at least one 200-level Philosophy course, or permission of the instructor.)

34-374. Twentieth-Century French Philosophy
A study of significant developments in recent French thought as found in Bergson, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, Bataille, and Levi-Strauss, for example. (Prerequisite: 34-110 or 34-112, or at least one 200-level Philosophy course, or permission of the instructor.)

34-375. Twentieth-Century German Philosophy
Significant developments in recent German philosophy will be examined. The work of the Frankfurt School, and of Habermas and his followers may be studied. (Prerequisite: 34-110 or 34-112, or at least one 200-level Philosophy course, or permission of the instructor.)

34-376. Kant
A study of late eighteenth century philosophy, centred on the epistemological and ethical writings of Immanuel Kant. (Prerequisite: 34-110 or 34-112, or at least one 200-level Philosophy course, or permission of the instructor.)

34-377. Hegel and German Idealism
A study of early 19th century philosophy centred on the idealism of G.W.F. Hegel, focusing on such problems as the nature of the dialectic, the notion of absolute spirit, and the Hegelian conception of philosophy. (Prerequisite: 34-110 or 34-112, or at least one 200-level Philosophy course, or permission of the instructor.)

34-378. Nineteenth Century Philosophy
Various nineteenth century thinkers may be studied in this course including Kierkegaard an Nietzsche but also Dilthey, Schopenhauer, Comte, Mill, and others. (Prerequisite: 34-110 or 34-112, or at least one 200-level Philosophy course, or permission of the instructor.)

34-380. Philosophy and Other Disciplines
This course deals with philosophical developments that have special relevance for other disciplines. Each time the course is given, it will deal with one of the areas listed below. Check with the Philosophy office after January 31 in odd-numbered years to find out the topic for the coming year. (Prerequisite: 34-110 or 34-112, or at least one 200-level Philosophy course, or permission of the instructor.) Philosophy of History: The study of the development of the idea of history, by examining such problems as the nature of historical explanation, change and meaning. Philosophy of Language: The examination of language from a philosophical point of view: distinction between semantics and pragmatics; such topics in semantics as theories of meaning and of reference; the relationship between language, mind, and the world; and whether language reflects and reinforces cultural ways of thinking and seeing the world. Philosophy of Law: The study of the nature of law, the relation of law to morality, and the basis of the validity of law, with special focus on natural law and positivist legal theories.

34-381. Advanced Topics in Philosophy
This course deals with specialized areas of philosophy. Each time the course is given, it will deal with one of the following topics. Check with the Philosophy office after January 31 in even-numbered years to find out the topic for the coming year. (Prerequisite: 34-110 or 34-112, or at least one 200-level Philosophy course, or permission of the instructor.) Advanced Aesthetics: Aesthetic issues generally, and particularly the writings on aesthetics of philosophers such as Aristotle, Kant, Hegel and Nietzsche. Issues treated include the nature of art, aesthetic value and aesthetic criticism. Hermeneutics: Hermeneutics is the theory of interpretation and understanding from an historical and contemporary perspective. Topics discussed include the nature of meaning and understanding, philosophical hermeneutics and textual criticism, the hermeneutical significance of language, history and methodology. Marxism: Dialectical and historical materialism, revolution, the concept of class and the critique of political economy are some of the topics which may be discussed in this course.

34-400 to 34-410. Senior Seminars
Senior seminars are the undergraduate sections of M.A. courses. (Normally open only to Philosophy majors in the final year of their program. Permission of the instructor is required. Consult a program advisor during the term preceding planned registration.)

34-480 to 489. Directed Readings
A Directed Readings course may be arranged for one or at most two students in some area of interest. Philosophy's policy regarding syllabi for Directed Reading courses apply. (Normally open only to Philosophy majors in the final year of their program. Students wishing to enrol in a Directed Readings course should consult with a Philosophy program advisor during the term preceding planned registration.)

34-491. Honours Seminar
The aim of the seminar is to give students a solid historical background in a given area of philosophy (e.g. ethics, epistemology, metaphysics). A philosophical theme is traced through a number of key figures in the history of philosophy. (Open only to honours Philosophy majors in their fourth year.) .

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