Undergraduate courses offered by the department
Course Listing for Winter 2009-2010
An asterisk (*) on this list denotes that the course has one or more prerequisitesA greyed out title on this list denotes that the course is not offered during the current calendar year
To see a brief course description from the UVic calendar and details which may have been provided by the instructor specific to each section, click on the [+] for that course.
Details specific to each section of each course offered are also available in our current Studies in Philosophy Booklet.
100 level courses
100 - Introduction to Philosophy
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Units: 3.0, Hours: 3-0
An introduction to central works in the history of Western philosophy, with a principal goal of fostering the capacity to think logically and critically. Questions will include: Does God exist? Is knowledge possible? Do humans have free will? What is justice? Figures studied will include most of the following: Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Leibniz, Berkeley, Hume, Kant, Mill and Nietzsche, and may include others. See annual Departmental Handbook for more information.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Brown, Karen
2009-2010 The aim of this course is to get you involved in the activity of philosophy. We will spend our time thinking about some of life's big questions, working to understand how some great thinkers have tried to answer them and critically examining our own answers to them. What is the nature of reality? It is something we can have knowledge of? Does God exist? Can we justify our beliefs? Do humans have free will? What are minds? What is consciousness? What makes something morally right or wrong? How ought we to live? What is justice? What (if anything) makes it true that you are the same person today that you were yesterday? Is life absurd?
Course Materials
As taught by Foss, Jeff
This class is a first introduction to philosophy, in which you will discuss a wide variety of readings on a wide variety of philosophical topics. Philosophy is the love of wisdom, "philia" being the Greek word for friendly (as opposed to erotic) love, "sophia" being the Greek word for wisdom. Wisdom is not easy to attain, but nevertheless permits being pursued. Everyone has a philosophy, although they may not have actually put it into words. Philosophies often run deep, unseen, below the surface, supporting the things we believe as well as the things we believe in. Philosophical study begins when we bring our own guiding beliefs and values to the surface of our thought and examine them to discover their strengths and the weaknesses. In this examination we see what is missing, and by reflection glimpse what it is we seek: wisdom.
In this section of Philosophy 100 our readings will include the following topics: Is there a God? Does life have a purpose? Does reason, or science, reveal truth? Are there truths that reason or science cannot reveal? What is consciousness? What is a person? Are we free? What is the basis of our ethical judgments? Which actions are right and which are wrong? What is justice?
Course Materials
As taught by Heyd, Thomas
In this course we will engage some of the most important and perennial contributions to philosophy as they have developed in the Western World. We seek to understand the source for the puzzlement and questioning of philosophers according to topics, while also trying to follow a chronological sequence.
Philosophy literally means "the love of wisdom." While the first fragmentary records of philosophical activity (from the time of the Ancient Greeks) indicate an interest in the fundamental constituents of the stuff of our world, philosophy from then onwards has been a rich tapestry that combined concerns for what is real with what we can know, how we perceive and how we should act. Most crucial for each of us perhaps is the question how things, processes and events are related, and philosophers of all ages have addressed this issue either directly or indirectly.
Course Materials
As taught by Raven, Michael
This course is intended to provide students with a wide-ranging introduction to the main areas of philosophy and to some of the main philosophers in the Western tradition.
Course Materials
As taught by Scott, David
This course is intended to provide students with a wide-ranging introduction to the main areas of philosophy and to some of the main philosophers in the Western tradition.
Course Materials
As taught by Taylor, Angus
This course is designed to acquaint students with some of the principal issues in philosophy. We shall be reading and examining the arguments of philosophers on such topics as whether or not God exists, personal identity, the nature and limits of human knowledge, what is morally right and what is morally wrong, and the nature of society and the political order.
Course Materials
173 - Scientific Reasoning
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
Develops critical thinking skills needed for understanding and evaluating arguments in the natural sciences. Some of the topics covered will include: assessing the worth of causal and statistical hypotheses; evaluating evidence; appraising the value of contentious sciences and examining the development of scientific knowledge.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
200 level courses
201 - Critical Thinking
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An analysis of simple argument forms in natural language with close attention to the different uses of language in an argumentative context. A treatment of elementary principles of inductive logic, decision making, syllogistic reasoning, and informal fallacies.
Note: The course is designed as a first course in logic for students with little or no symbolic orientation; it may be taken before or after 203.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Klatt, Carrie
Arguments serve us as a way to persuade others that something is true. Arguments allow us to increase our knowledge of the world in the absence of direct observation. We see arguments every day: in the newspaper, in advertising, in lectures, in common conversation. Argumentation plays such a large role in our lives that we would be remiss if we did not take the time to learn how to evaluate them effectively. This class will investigate various techniques that can be applied to determine the worth of arguments. Close attention is paid to the different uses of language in an argumentative context. There is a treatment of elementary principles of deductive and inductive logic as well as informal fallacies. This course will also be of benefit to anyone who plans to write the LSAT or GRE exam.
Course Materials
As taught by Yap, Audrey
Informal logic is the study of everyday reasoning, and of what makes arguments good or bad ones. If we tell ourselves we only want to be persuaded by good arguments, then we ought to have some criteria and some tools for analysing what distinguishes a good argument from a bad one. The goal of this course is to learn some of these skills, and how to apply them to actual arguments.
Course Materials
203 - Elementary Formal Logic
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
Teaches students to generate deductively valid arguments and to detect invalid arguments. Correct inference rules for sentential arguments and quantificational arguments are identified and treated from a purely syntactical point of view. A rigorous treatment of the semantic theory for sentential logic and quantification logic is also presented.
Note: The course is designed as a first course in logic for students with little or no symbolic orientation; it may be taken before or after 201.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Klatt, Carrie
This is an introductory course in symbolic logic. The student will learn to identify the logical structure in language by translating English statements into symbolic form. We will then use various logical tools (i.e. truth tables, truth trees and formal derivations) to determine the validity of arguments. In this course we will use both propositional and predicate logics. There is no prerequisite for this course and it is not necessary to take PHIL 201: Applied Logic I first in order to do well in PHIL 203. This course will be of interest to students who enjoy solving puzzles and/or are interested in the fundamentals of language.
As taught by Yap, Audrey
No description available at this time.
204 - Eastern Philosophy: The Chinese Tradition
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An introductory study of major philosophical texts in the Chinese tradition. An effort will be made to illustrate the methods of philosophizing characteristic of the philosophers discussed.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 204, 287.
Formerly: one half of 287
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Christie, Juliette
This course is intended to introduce the student to a significantly different philosophical take and method from that which has shaped our Western tradition. Nevertheless we will also encounter fascinating similarities between Chinese and Western philosophical world views. We will take up Confucian and Taoist philosophies, as well as consider Mohism, Legalism, and have a taste of Buddhism(s). This course offers a beginning - not only in terms of how to approach, consider, and appreciate, a distinctly different philosophical world, but also urges us to ask whether and how we might benefit from the endeavour.
Course Materials
205 - Eastern Philosophy: The Indian Tradition
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An introductory study of major philosophical texts in the Indian tradition. An effort will be made to illustrate the methods of philosophizing characteristic of the philosophers discussed.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 205, 287.
Formerly: one half of 287
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
206 - Eastern Philosophy: The Japanese Tradition
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An introductory survey of major philosophical texts in the Japanese tradition. Shinto, Chan and Zen Buddhist perspectives on metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and aesthetics are addressed. Japanese philosophy is contrasted with the Western tradition.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
208 - Introduction to Arabic Philosophy
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An introduction to the fertile period of philosophy that followed directly upon the late ancient Greek philosophy. An overview of the way in which the Arabs inherited the ancient legacy and a problem-oriented approach to the thought of such major Muslim thinkers as Farabi, Avicenna, Ghazali, and Averroes. Arab philosophy compared with medieval Latin and later European philosophy.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
209 - Philosophy and First Nations Thought
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0 or 2-0-1
An inquiry into the nature and scope of First Nations wisdoms. Examines relations between First Nations thought and Western philosophy.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Christie, Juliette
No description available until spring term.
211 - Introduction to Existentialism
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An introduction to the themes and method of existentialism. The course will survey the writings of a number of existentialists. Questions such as the following will be addressed: Can the individual realize an authentic form of existence in a technological society dedicated to the ideals of comfort, efficiency, and security? Why have existentialists been so vehemently attacked and how have they responded? The figures and works chosen may vary from year to year.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Barnes, A
The aim of the course is to survey 19th and 20th century existentialist philosophy. The course provides an introduction to the methodology of existentialism, and simultaneously, to its major themes. Required readings include interesting sections of text by the following figures:
Soren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, and Jean-Paul Sartre. Main topics centre on philosophical problems that arise from the attempt to explain human existence, consciousness, and freedom. This fascinating course requires active participation, including reading assigned material before each class meeting and active participation in class discussions.
Soren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, and Jean-Paul Sartre. Main topics centre on philosophical problems that arise from the attempt to explain human existence, consciousness, and freedom. This fascinating course requires active participation, including reading assigned material before each class meeting and active participation in class discussions.
As taught by Brown, Karen
In this course we will develop a family of existential themes. These include the anguish of choice, the absurd,
boredom, freedom and responsibility, the modern sense that we live in a state of abandonment and the problem of
the suppression and supplanting of human experience by three culprits: abstract rationalist philosophy, the
objective stance of science and a social world of technology, organization and consumerism.
We will explore the existentialists' attempts to get back to the bone of lived experience, to understand that
experience as it is in itself and to find a way to live authentically and consciously in the face of the human
condition.
Course Materials
220 - Introduction to Philosophy of Science
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
This course will introduce both the epistemological and ethical issues concerning science as a method of gaining knowledge about the world. Epistemological issues may include the distinction between science and non-science, the logic of explanation, and the logic of confirmation. Ethical issues may include the ethics of experimentation with humans, animals, or the environment; the social consequences of scientific knowledge or technology; and the community control of research.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 220, 222A, 222B.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Foss, Jeff
Science propelled humanity from the world of faith and fealty into the modern world of reason and technology. The gradual acceptance of science over the last five centuries has changed the human landscape in many ways, but two sorts of change stand out among the rest: first, our acceptance of evidence and reason as the means to understand the world around us, and second, our liberation from disease, famine, and overwhelming physical labor. These changes are historically unique, and mark science as the most important intellectual achievement of our species. We now take it for granted that we are free to investigate matters that interest us. We happily forget that there was a time before the rise of science, when there were many matters that people were forbidden to investigate or even consider, a time when religious and temporal authorities dictated what people should believe regardless of what the evidence might say. In those days, muscles provided the only significant source of power for the production of food, clothing, and shelter. Most people were hungry much of the time and took it for granted that they would sometimes contract life-threatening diseases. It was understood that a large proportion of children would not survive to become adults, and that only a few would grow old. These dark facts had always dominated human existence since time immemorial, and were taken to be eternal truths that could not be escaped.
But science overturned these pseudo-eternal verities, enabling us to transcend the former boundaries of human thought and existence. In the process we have transformed ourselves. Though nature molded us by the long process of evolution, we are now beginning to mold nature through science, both our own nature and the nature of the world around us. In the philosophy of science we seek to understand science. Does it really have the power to reveal nature's secrets? What is the basis of its transforming power? How has it changed us? Has it become a new source of authority and control? Is there a justification for its control of major parts of public education? Where is it leading us now? How will it change the world among us and around us? Can science be misused? Can it lead to evil as well as to good?
Course Materials
As taught by Taylor, Angus
Most of this course will be devoted to the epistemological issues concerning science as a method of gaining knowledge about the world. These issues include the distinction between science and pseudo-science, the logic of explanation, the concept of scientific progress, and social influences on scientific theory (including the question of whether science is male-biased). In addition, we shall look at the ethics of experimentation on animals and ask what science can tell us about how we should live.
Course Materials
223 - Philosophy of the Social Sciences
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
A philosophical examination of the social sciences. Questions to be addressed include: Are the social sciences sciences? If so, how do the social sciences differ from the natural sciences and from the humanities? Is history a social science? Can human beings be comprehended scientifically? Are social sciences descriptive or evaluative? Is objectivity possible in history and the social sciences?
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
232 - Moral Problems of Contemporary Society
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An investigation of certain moral problems which might be called social problems as well. One or more of such topics as the following will be discussed: sexual relations, censorship, suicide, capital punishment, poverty, international hostilities. Differing moral positions concerning the issue(s) chosen will be identified, and their justifications sought out and examined. Students should consult the annual Departmental Handbook for a more specific description of the course for a given year.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Heyd, Thomas
This course is about a number of contemporary issues that may raise questions about our moral responsibility. On the one hand, we will consider questions about matters that may concern us on a personal level, perhaps even in our day-to-day life. For example: How can we make sense of the debates about the right and wrong of euthanasia? What are the best arguments for and against abortion, and what should be the defining question for deciding if it is morally acceptable? Is there something wrong with eating meat produced under industrial conditions? Or is the consumption of animals by human beings natural and right?
On the other hand, we will consider questions about our moral responsibility that arise for us from being part of contemporary society, such as: What are Aboriginal Rights and what are they based on? Do we have a moral responsibility toward people who live in extreme poverty and suffer from hunger? Do we have an ethical responsibility to promote the 'development' of non-Western countries? Does uranium mining and do nuclear power plants pose an ethical problem or do we, on the contrary, have a moral obligation to promote nuclear power? Should we be morally concerned about the role of industrialised nations in the causation of climate change or is this not an ethically relevant issue? Do people have an ethical responsibility for the integrity of the natural environment or is the natural environment just a source of resources to be drawn on for human activities?
Course Materials
As taught by Taylor, Angus
No description available until spring term.
As taught by Woodcock, Scott
The aim of this course is to introduce students to a variety of controversial moral issues in contemporary society. In particular, students will be encouraged to carefully examine the philosophical arguments that arise in debates surrounding these controversial issues. The moral problems we will address in the course involve complex and often highly sensitive questions. The goal is thus to enable students to thoughtfully engage this subject matter and to learn how to articulate their own views about the material in the most persuasive way possible. The issues we will address in the course include the following: the ethical treatment of non-human animals, the basis for our obligation to protect the environment, the duty to help those suffering in developing nations, the moral status of abortion, the difference (if any) between active and passive euthanasia, the commitment to free speech vs. the harms of hate literature and pornography, and the moral status of civilians in cases of modern warfare. Class discussion will be strongly encouraged, but we will try to keep discussion sharply focussed on the philosophical issues at hand.
Course Materials
235 - Ethics of Violence, War and Terrorism
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0, or 2-0-1
An investigation of the moral problems that arise in the context of violence, war and terrorism.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Jahn, K
No course description available at this time.
236 - Political Philosophy
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An introduction to problems in contemporary political philosophy. The course will examine such topics as justice, rights, equality, liberty, community, culture and political legitimacy from a variety of perspectives.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
238 - Philosophy in Literature
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Units: 1.5, formerly 3, Hours: 3-0
The purpose of this course is to explore various philosophical theories and themes as these find expression in literature. In some years, the course may be devoted to an examination of a single theme as it emerges in distinct periods and writings. Readings may range over the literature of many countries and will not necessarily be confined to works in the Western tradition.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Christie, Juliette
Phil. 238 presents a variety of works which in some fashion or other rely on or incorporate the philosophical. How philosophy gives life to and is give life by story, whether perhaps stories are a better introduction to philosophy than directly reading the "famous philosophers," whether story can be aphilosophical, where the story is, and of course what in the solar system "literature" is ... these are a taste of the issues we shall discuss. Although an introduction to philosophy of sorts, Phil. 238 is intended to awaken students to the philosophical with rather less focus on particular philosophers and rather more on the thinking about what philosophy is, offers, might take from, and certainly engenders in our stories.
Course Materials
239 - Philosophy and Feminism
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An introduction to philosophical issues raised in and by feminist thought. Topics may include: the influence of feminist perspectives on the framing and study of philosophical problems; an examination of concepts, issues, and arguments underlying feminist claims; liberal feminism; Marxist feminism; radical feminism; feminism and race; an examination of current issues such as gender essentialism, pornography, mothering, and reproductive rights from a feminist perspective.
Note: Consult annual Departmental Handbook for details in any given year.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
240 - Philosophy of Art
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An introduction to philosophy of art. Questions to be addressed include: What is art? What makes art valuable? How is art to be evaluated? Is the value of art relative to audiences? Is art a source of knowledge? What moral issues arise in connection with the arts?
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 240, 242.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Heyd, Thomas
In this course students we will explore fundamental questions in the philosophy of art. Among other topics, we will consider possible ways of defining art, the relationship of art to aesthetics and aesthetic appreciation, the role of inspiration and artistic genius in artistic creation, the relation among art, ethics and society, and the role of intentions and historical context of the artist in the interpretation of art. We will also consider the relationship of aesthetic appreciation of artworks to that of nature and of everyday experience, and how the practice of art can provide insight into what constitutes art.
As taught by Young, James
This course is designed to introduce students to the main questions in philosophy of art. We will read a series of classical and contemporary writers. We will focus on defining the concept of art, determining what a work of art is, and answering fundamental questions about the interpretation and evaluation of works of art.
Course Materials
251 - Knowledge, Certainty and Skepticism*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0 or 2-0-1
An introduction to central concepts, issues and theories in epistemology (the theory of knowledge). Topics will be drawn from the following list: knowledge; skepticism; evidence; rational belief; doubt; justification; certainty.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 251, 250.
Formerly: part of 250
Prerequisites: 1.5 units in Philosophy.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
252 - Introduction to Metaphysics*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0 or 2-1
An investigation of the ultimate nature of reality. Historical and contemporary writings deal with such topics as substance; monism vs. pluralism; universals vs. particulars; realism vs. nominalism; mind and matter; God; causation and change; possibility and necessity; space and time.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 252, 250.
Formerly: 250
Prerequisites: 1.5 units in Philosophy.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Raven, Michael
Metaphysics concerns the ultimate nature of reality. This course surveys some central issues in metaphysics, including: why there is anything at all, God, personal identity, fate and free will, time, matter and constitution, universals, and possibility and necessity.
260 - Introduction to Philosophy of Mind
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An introduction to the study of mind and its place in nature. Typical issues: Is the mind physical or non-physical? How is the mind related to the body and the rest of nature? Are conscious mental processes just neurophysical processes? Is thought nothing but computation? Can we know the presence and nature of other minds? Are animals, plants, or machines conscious? Can the mind be explained scientifically?
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 260, 414.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Barnes, A
The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to philosophical debates concerning the mind and its place in nature. What is a mental state? How does a mental state relate to a brain state? Other topics include computational theory of mind, consciousness, emotion, imagery, and free will. The overall goal is for each student to be able to recognize and evaluate specific arguments on these topics. This fascinating course requires active participation, including reading assigned material before each class meeting and active participation in class discussions.
Course Materials
261 - Philosophy of Religion
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
A consideration of some of the conclusions that have emerged from a philosophical examination of such religious questions as: the existence of God, survival after death, the problem of evil, the significance of religious ignorance, etc. Class discussion will be much emphasized.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 261, 214.
Formerly: 214
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Barnes, A
The aim of the course is to examine philosophical issues concerning the rationality of religious belief. Our examination will include both classical arguments and contemporary issues. Topics include religious experience, the nature and plausibility of arguments for and against theism, the distinction between faith and reason, and the relation between science and religion. This fascinating course requires active participation, including reading assigned material before each class meeting and active participation in class discussions.
Course Materials
As taught by Brunk, Conrad
No description available until spring term.
290 - Introduction to Selected Topics
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Units: 1.5 or 3.0, Hours: 3-0 or 2-0-1
Introductory investigations of a selected philosophical topic.
Note: May be repeated in different topics with permission of department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
300 level courses
301 - Plato*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
A philosophical examination of one or more Platonic dialogues. The content of the course may vary from year to year; students should consult the annual departmental handbook for a more specific description of the course for a given year.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 301, 421. PHIL 381/GRS 379 and GRS 380 are both recommended as background for the course.
Formerly: 421
Prerequisites: 4.5 units of Philosophy or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Klatt, Carrie
Few thinkers have had as profound an impact on the history of Western European ideas as Plato. Whence this power? The syllabus for the course is designed to argue the case for an answer that focuses on Plato's practice and conception of philosophy, rather than a particular set of doctrines with which his name has become associated. Central questions will include: How is the dialogic form of Plato's works related to what they mean? What is Plato's conception of philosophy? What is it, exactly, that Plato had against the Sophists? Is there anything relevant to 21st Century concerns in his works? Topics covered will include: Plato's conception'of human excellence, its relation to the practice of philosophy and to the just state, the trial of Socrates, and Plato's theory of knowledge (including Plato's 'theory of forms', as well as his views on mathematical knowledge).
Course Materials
303 - Aristotle*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
A study of one or more of the philosophical writings of Aristotle. The content of the course may vary from year to year; students should consult the annual Departmental Handbook for a more specific description of the course for a given year.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 303, 422. PHIL 381/GRS 379 and GRS 380 are both recommended as background for the course.
Formerly: 422
Prerequisites: 4.5 units of Philosophy or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Cameron, Margaret Anne
No description available until spring term.
305 - Medieval Philosophy*
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Units: 3.0, Hours: 3-0
The purpose of this course is to give the student some insight into the depth and richness of the philosophical, religious and political thought of the middle ages, and to convey an appreciation of the complexity and sophistication of medieval intellectual endeavour. Since Western thought was heavily influenced by Islamic philosophies and by mystical speculations, a special section of the course will be devoted to the philosophy of Islam and its impact on the West, and another to an examination of medieval mysticism.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 305, 245.
Formerly: 245
Prerequisites: 100 or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Kluge, Eike-Henner
This is a historical introduction to philosophical issues and trends in the Middle Ages. It's purpose is to familiarize students with the richness and complexity of medieval philosophical thought from its foundations in Plotinus to its climax in the 14th century. A separate section will deal with mystical thinkers such as Eckhart, Tauler, Mechthild v. Magdeburg, etc. Notes for the course are available on the Web.
Course Materials in Moodle:
Look for the PHIL course listings on UVic's Moodle site (moodle.uvic.ca).
Course Materials
306 - The Rationalists*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
Studies in depth the so-called "continental rationalists". Examines the positions of representative figures, and relates them to each other. Emphasis the rationalists' preoccupation with a priori necessary truths and the principle of sufficient reason vis-a-vis their theories of perception and knowledge.
Prerequisites: 4.5 units of Philosophy.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Scott, David
Rationalism is one of the most historically important streams of philosophy, and it continues to inform and motivate much philosophical activity. It is the name given to a broadly defined set of positions and doctrines, all of which tend to involve the ideas that in some sense the universe is rational, i.e. that everything has a reason, and that humans possess the ability, e.g. a faculty of reason, to apprehend the rational character of the universe. In this course we shall examine some of rationalism’s most famous and influential proponents, all of whom were active in the enlightenment period of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. We shall be focusing on works by René Descartes (Rules for the Direction of the Mind, Discourse on Method, Meditations, and Principles of Philosophy) and by Nicolas Malebranche (Search After Truth, Dialogues on Metaphysics).
308 - The Empiricists*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
Studies the major writings of Locke, Berkeley and Hume, with emphasis on metaphisics and epistemology.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 308, 310.
Formerly: one half of 310
Prerequisites: 4.5 units of Philosophy or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Young, James
To provide students with a knowledge of the epistemological and metaphysical views of the principal members of the empiricist school; to provide students with an appreciation of the continuing philosophical significance of these views; to cultivate philosophical acuity.
Course Materials
309 - Kant*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
Studies Kant's epistemology and metaphysics, principally as presented in The Critique of Pure Reason.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 309, 310.
Formerly: one half of 310
Prerequisites: PHIL 308.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Jahn, K
No course description available at this time.
311 - Existentialist Thinkers*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
This course will focus on one or two of the great philosophers in the tradition of existentialism and phenomenology, such as Nietzsche, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, Camus, Kierkegaard and Heidegger. The philosophers chosen for study in any given year will be announced in the Departmental Handbook.
Prerequisites: 211 or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Jahn, K
No course description available at this time.
321 - Philosophy of Medicine
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
In this course we will examine how our philosophical conceptions of the nature of mind and body affect the goals and practice of medicine. Some of the topics covered may include: Is medicine an art or a science? What is health? What counts as disease? What is mental illness? Empiricism vs Realism in medical thinking: Hermeneutics in medicine; causality in medicine; Western vs Eastern medicine.
Note: May not be counted towards upper-level requirements in Honours or Major programs in Philosophy.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
330 - Professional and Business Ethics
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An examination of ethical issues arising in the contemporary professional and business setting; emphasis is on the mastery of representative ethical systems and concepts and their application to actual situations.
Note: May not be counted towards upper-level requirements in Honours or Major programs in Philosophy.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Turner, Susan
Using a variety of moral tests, this course examines corporate governance and market relations between government and business, employee and employer, buyer and seller, manufacturer and environment among others. The course aims to provide students with the critical thinking skills required for the moral assessment of these relations. Topics include workplace health and safety, intellectual property, environmental liability and advertising. These will be discussed in the empirical context of a global recession and the conceptual context of the public/private distinction.
Course Materials
331 - Issues in Biomedical Ethics*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An investigation into various ethical issues that arise in the delivery of health care. Lectures and discussions on topics such as informed consent, abortion, human experimentation, euthanasia, reproductive technologies, the health-care professional/client relationship. Emphasis on the ability to apply theoretical concepts to actual situations.
Note: May not be counted towards upper-level requirements in Honours or Major programs in Philosophy.
Prerequisites: Second-year standing or professional qualification in Health Care e.g. RN, MD.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Kluge, Eike-Henner
This is an introductory course that deals with issues such as abortion, allocation of resources, euthanasia, reproductive technologies, informed consent, etc. It is open to all students with second year standing (or with professional degrees) and presupposes no training in philosophy. Its main focus is to provide conceptual tools that will allow students to evaluate ethical issues that arise in the delivery of health care. Notes for the course are available on the Web, as are practice problems (with solutions). The examinations for this course involve videos of role-plays illustrating bioethical issues.
Course Materials in Moodle:
Look for the PHIL course listings on UVic's Moodle site (moodle.uvic.ca).
Course Materials
332 - Philosophy and Technology*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An inquiry into technology, its values and relevance to the human condition. What are the conceptual implications of the technological order? Some topics discussed: the distinction between tools and technology; technological development and values; engineering ethics and technology transfer; technology, interpersonal relationships, and alienation; technological domination of nature; art and technology; comparative examination of different philosophies of technology; appropriate technology; mastery of design of technology practices.
Prerequisites: Third-year standing, or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Turner, Susan
No course description available at this time.
333 - Philosophy and the Environment*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
A philosophical investigation of the moral and conceptual dimensions of environmental problems. Different philosophies of the relation between humans and nature will be compared.
Notes: - Credit will be granted for only one of 333, ES 314.- May not be counted towards upper-level requirements in Honours or Major programs in Philosophy.
Also: ES 314
Prerequisites: Third or fourth-year standing, or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Heyd, Thomas
This course introduces students to philosophical approaches to environmental problems. The course will consider some of the key theories of environmental ethics and environmental philosophy. It will also provide focused analyses of selected, concrete environmental problems. Theoretical stances to be explored include the moral standing of animals, ecosystems and species, legal rights of nature, ecological feminism, deep ecology, and social ecology. Concrete problems to be considered for their ethical implications include population growth and poverty, global development, future generations, climate change, and the waste products associated with the nuclear industry.
335 - Contemporary Moral Philosophy*
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Units: 1.5, formerly 3.0, Hours: 3-0
An inquiry into basic issues and theoretical perspectives in moral philosophy. Some classic texts in moral philosophy will be studied but emphasis will be on contemporary literature and debates. Topics will include consequentialism, Kantianism, contractarianism and contractualism.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 335, 302.
Formerly: 302
Prerequisites: 6 units of Philosophy or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by MacLeod, Colin
This course explores some of the most important and influential theories about the nature of morality which have been developed in the tradition of Western philosophy. Towards this end, we will carefully study some of the classic texts of Hobbes, Mill and Kant. We will consider issues arising from these texts which concern both normative ethics and metaethics. The objective of the course is to provide students with a sound understanding of the main problems in moral philosophy and the different approaches which have been developed in response to them. Although the course focuses on classic texts in the history of philosophy, we will consider the relevance of the material studies to contemporary moral philosophy.
Course Materials
336 - Philosophy of Law*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
A study of relationships among law, politics, and morality. The course examines such topics as the nature of law, legal and moral reasoning, civil disobedience, legal obligations, punishment and individual and group rights.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 336, 328.
Formerly: 328
Prerequisites: 3 units of Philosophy or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Turner, Susan
We will be considering a triad of legal theories or answers to the question "What is Law?". The question itself, as wel will see, breaks down into two main areas of consideration: 1) what counts as Law? and 2) How ought law to be interpreted by the judges who apply it? The examination of each question will involve taking a look at the relation between the rule of law and the influence of morality. As such, we will consider possible distinctions between the two as well as various versions of the latter. The three main legal theories to be studied are firstly, Legal Positivism, secondly, Anti-Positivism and thirdly Feminist. Within the first two of these categories, one finds two extreme and several 'middle' positions. The third represents a critical approach to all of those positions and the assumptions upon which they are based. Our consideration of legal theory will be supplemented with readins from case law. Much of our discussion will focus on the distinctivness of Canadian jurisprudence.
Course Materials
337 - Ethics: Theory and Practice*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
A survey of the foundations of moral reasoning and judgement that examines basic normative theories and their relevance to practical ethical evaluation. The course is intended primarily for students pursuing the Minor in Applied Ethics, but is open to other students.
Prerequisites: 232 or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Woodcock, Scott
This course will serve as an introduction to normative ethical theory and an exploration of how different theories work out in practice considering their respective strengths and weaknesses. The course will examine four prominent traditions in contemporary ethical philosophy: Utilitarianism, Contractarianism, Kantian Ethics and Virtue Ethics. In each case, we will study a major historical source of the tradition (i.e. J.S. Mill, Hobbes, Kant and Aristotle) and then examine current articulations of each tradition as it appears in contemporary literature. By comparing the traditions to one another (and comparing the original sources to the refinements and qualifications proposed by modern articulations), students will develop an understanding of the four ethical traditions that will allow them to see how each one can be applied to practical moral problems in society.
338 - Meta-ethics*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An examination of philosophical issues and theories arising from consideration of the epistemic, metaphysical and semantic features of value judgements. Topics will include moral relativism, moral skepticism, non-cognitivism, nihilism, constructivism, moral realism and moral anti-realism.
Prerequisites: 6 units of Philosophy including one of 232, 335, 337 or permission of the instructor.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by MacLeod, Colin
This course examines issues concerning the metaphysical, epistemological, and semantic dimensions of moral discourse. We will explore a variety of metaethical problems theories and the philosophical considerations that motivate them. This will include questions such as: Are moral properties real? Do moral judgements have truth values? Are moral judgements intrinsically motivating? What is a moral reason? In the course of addressing these questions we will consider positions in metaethics such as: non-cognitivism, cognitivism, moral realism, moral anti-realism, naturalism, non-naturalism, continuity theories, and non-continuity theories.
362 - Minds and Machines*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
The philosophical problems associated with the question of whether or not one can build a machine which thinks, reasons, learns from experience, understands natural language, is creative, feels pain, or has emotions. Topics may include mechanical analogues of life processes; the debate over mechanisms, organicism, and vitalism; mechanical self reproduction and evolution; free will and predictability.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 362, 342A.
Formerly: 342A
Prerequisites: 3 units selected from Biology, Computer Science, Philosophy or Psychology; or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Barnes, A
The aim of the course is to examine some of the central issues involved in the philosophy of thinking and intelligence. Our examination will begin with the topic of mental representation. We will then consider whether thinking is essentially computational, and on that basis, whether a machine could think and/or be intelligent. Other topics include the status of folk psychology, connectionism, and emotion. Articles on these topics will be assigned in addition to the course text. This fascinating course requires active participation, including reading assigned material before each class meeting and active participation in class discussions.
370 - Theoretical Logic*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
Treatment and justification of formal logic from a theoretical point of view: Ideal formal languages developed, and their relationship to natural languages discussed. Syntactic and semantic theories formalized for the analysis of complex deductive arguments. The metatheory of formal logic, relating the syntactic theories and the semantic theories, developed. Topics include consistency, compactness, soundness, and completeness.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 304A, 370.
Formerly: 304A
Prerequisites: 203 or MATH 122 or permission of the instructor.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Yap, Audrey
No course description available at the present time.
371 - Advanced Studies in Logic*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
The study of a particular branch of formal logic. Topics may include set theory, incompleteness and undecidability, modal or other non-classical logics.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 304B, 371.
Formerly: part of 304B
Prerequisites: 370 or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
375 - Philosophy of Mathematics*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An introduction to problems in the philosophy of mathematics. Topics include the nature of mathematical objects (are they human constructions, or do they exist independently of us?), the status of the infinite in mathematics, the relationship between mathematics and natural science/physical reality.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 375, MATH 375.
Also: MATH 375
Prerequisites: One of 203, 304A, 370, MATH 122, MATH 360
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Yap, Audrey
No course description available at the present time.
381 - Early Greek Thought*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An examination of early Greek thought as embodied in Hesiod and Presocratics such as Parmenides, Heraclitus, Anaxagoras, and Democritus. These figures may be considered in the context of historical and literary writings of their society (e.g., works by Aeschylus, Herodotus, Thucydides). Issues may include: distinctions among myth, science and philosophy; notions of law, morality, and causality; the influence of early Greek thought on later thinkers.
Notes: - Credit will be granted for only one of 381, 379, GRS 379, CLAS 379.- May not be counted towards upper-level requirements in Honours or Major programs in Philosophy.
Also: GRS 379
Formerly: PHIL 379 (CLAS 379)
Prerequisites: Third or fourth-year standing or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
383 - The Life and Times of Socrates*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3.0
An examination of a critical moment in Greek intellectual and political life, as seen from various points of view. Topics include: Socrates' trial and its background, the rise of the Socratic conception of philosophy and its relation to the methods of the Sophists, perceived Socratic challenges to religious and social mores, written vs. unwritten philosophy, and types of Socratic literature. Why, we will ask, was the impact of Socrates so lasting and profound?
Notes: - Credit will be granted for only one of 383, GRS 380, CLAS 380.- May not be counted towards upper-level requirements in Honours or Major programs in Philosophy.
Also: GRS 380
Formerly: CLAS 380
Prerequisites: Third or fourth-year standing or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
390 - Topics in Philosophy*
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Units: 1.5-3.0, Hours: 3-0
Investigations of a selected philosophical topic.
Note: May be taken more than once for credit in different topics.
Prerequisites: 6 units of Philosophy, or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
391 - Directed Studies in Philosophy*
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Units: 1.5 or 3.0, Hours: 3-0
Under the supervision of a faculty member and with the approval of the Chair of the department.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 391, 348 if 348 taken under the same topic. May be taken more than once for credit in different topics.
Formerly: 348
Prerequisites: 6 units of Philosophy, or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
400 level courses
403 - Philosophical Logic*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An investigation of the philosophical limitations of classical logic. Questions to be addressed include: Is there satisfactory philosophical motivation for many-valued logics? Does reflection on reference or meaning lead to the rejection of bivalence? Does classical first order logic inhibit a philosophical understanding of existence, identity and predication?
Prerequisites: 201 and 203, 304A and B or 370 and 371, MATH 332, MATH 333, and an additional 3 units of Philosophy, or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Yap, Audrey
One of the most basic and central concepts in logic is the concept of logical consequence. We say that in a valid argument, the conclusion is a logical consequence of its premises, and that certain sentences are logical truths, or logically necessary. However, since the original Tarskian de nition of logical consequence, several controversies have arisen. In this course, we will consider the question of logical pluralism|that is, whether there might be more
than one consequence relation. We will consider several di erent logical systems, as well as di erent philosophical arguments for and against logical pluralism.
Course Materials
420 - Advanced Topics in Philosophy of Science*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
This course deals (at a more advanced level than in 220) with the methodology, epistemology, and ontology of science. Topics may include the logic of explanation, the logic of confirmation, the rationality of theory acceptance, the rationality of scientific revolutions, the unity of science, or the reality of theoretical entities.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 420, 222A, 320.
Formerly: 320
Prerequisites: 220 or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
430 - Contemporary Ethics*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An advanced investigation of contemporary debates in ethical theory, including issues in normative ethics and metaethics.
Prerequisites: 9 units of Philosophy, including at least one of 335, 337, 338, or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Woodcock, Scott
No course description available at this time.
431 - Seminar in Biomedical Ethics*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
A seminar offering an in-depth study of selected topics in biomedical ethics. Course content will vary, but will usually include such topics as informed consent, experimentation, professional/client and professional/professional relationship, allocation of resources, administrative procedures, etc. Methodology will include the use of video tape role plays and student presentation/analysis.
Prerequisites: 331 or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
433 - Social and Political Philosophy*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
Introduces basic texts and fundamental problems in Western political philosophy. Topics may include: theories of distributive justice, the relationship between law and morality, theories of democracy, the nature of rights, liberty, political legitimacy, community and culture; interrelationships among forms of economic, class, racial and gender oppression.
Prerequisites: 9 units of Philosophy, including at least one of 236 or 335, or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by MacLeod, Colin
Justice For All?
This course examines recent debates in contemporary political philosophy about the nature of social justice and its relevance to the assessment of social, political, legal and economic institutions and policies. We will begin by examining John Rawls’s highly influential theory of justice as presented in his book Justice as Fairness: A Restatement and then we will consider various issues arising from the critical reception of Rawls’s and related contemporary views. We will give special attention to problems about the scope and inclusiveness of justice. Towards this end we will consider the debates about the significance for theories of justice of considerations of gender, race, class, nationality, disability, and age.
434 - Technology and Environment*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An inquiry into the nature of technology and its moral implications for human and non-human environments. Questions to be addressed include: What is technology? Are humans 'essentially' technological? What factors have given rise to the perceived domination of the non-human environment by human technology? Figures studied may include: Diderot, Ellul, Ursula Franklin, George Grant, Heidegger, and Naess.
Prerequisites: 9 units of Philosophy, or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
440 - Seminar in Aesthetics*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
Advanced seminar in philosophy of art.
Prerequisites: 9 units of Philosophy, including 240 or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Young, James
This course will focus on contemporary research on philosophy of music and philosophy of literature. The course will investigate a range of questions about the ontology, interpretation and evaluation of works of music and literature.
450 - Metaphysics*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An inquiry into some of the more general distinctions upon which our notion of reality depends. Topics will include: substance, quality and relation, existence, and quanta.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 450, 432.
Formerly: 432
Prerequisites: 9 units of Philosophy or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
451 - Philosophy of Knowledge*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
An advanced philosophical investigation of human knowledge and its relation to reality.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 451, 416.
Formerly: 416
Prerequisites: 9 units of Philosophy or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Scott, David
This course focuses on key issues in early modern rationalism, one of the most historically important streams of philosophy which continues to inform and motivate much philosophical activity. Rationalism is the name given to a broadly defined set of positions and doctrines, all of which tend to involve the ideas that in some sense the universe is rational, i.e. that everything has a reason, and that humans possess the ability, e.g. a faculty of reason, to apprehend the universe’s rational nature. We shall be examining key issues in primary works by G. W. Leibniz (Discourse on Metaphysics and Monadology, among others), and by Benedictus Spinoza (Ethics); and we shall be reading additional secondary material, to be announced at the beginning of class, on the various additional topics. This course pre-supposes knowledge of the philosophies of Aristotle and Descartes.
453 - Theory of Perception*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
A study of philosophical issues that pertain both to the psychology of perception and the theory of knowledge. The respective merits of realist, representationalist and phenomenalist theories of perception will come under examination.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 453, 418.
Formerly: 418
Prerequisites: 9 units of Philosophy or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
460 - Philosophy of Mind*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
The focus of this course will be contemporary metaphysics, epistemology and methodology in the philosophy of mind.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 460, 414.
Formerly: 414
Prerequisites: 260 or 362 (formerly 342A) or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Foss, Jeff
No description available until spring term.
461 - Philosophy of Language: I*
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Units: 1.5, formerly 3, Hours: 3-0
A study of the foundations of philosophy of language. Questions to be addressed include: What is meaning? and What is reference? Authors to be studied may include Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein, and Quine.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 461, 334.
Formerly: part of 334
Prerequisites: 9 units of Philosophy or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
462 - Philosophy of Language: II*
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Units: 1.5, formerly 3, Hours: 3-0
A study of contemporary issues in philosophy of language. Theories of truth will be emphasized. Authors to be studied may include Davidson, Dummett, Kripke, Putnam, and Tarski.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 462, 334.
Formerly: part of 334
Prerequisites: 9 units of Philosophy or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
490 - Advanced Topics in Philosophy*
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Units: 1.5 or 3.0, Hours: 3-0
Advanced investigations of a selected philosophical topic.
Note: May be taken more than once for credit in different topics.
Prerequisites: 9 units of Philosophy, or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Brunk, Conrad
This seminar will explore the way in which the character of war in the 21st century has placed increasing pressure on the classical theory of "just war", calling into serious question the traditional principles justifying the resort to armed force ("jus ad bellum") and the conduct of war itself ("just in bello"). Contemporary wars are often not fought among nation states (the usual assumption of just war theory), but by non-state actors, or on behalf of "puppet" states. They are claimed be justified often by states or non-state actors, not as acts of self-defence in the classical sense, but as means of seeking justice for one's own group or on behalf of others. The counter-terrorist wars conducted by some contemporary states target military action, not so much against terrorists themselves, but against those who are said to support of provide safe harbour for them. Traditional concepts like that of "aggression" and "defence against aggression" are radically re-interpreted in these contexts. Further, the character of contemporary war, where the distinction between combatant and non-combatant is seriously re-defined or blurred, and where new technologies radically change the notion of "intent", "collateral damage" and moral responsibility, strains the traditional rules of just conduct of warfare. This course will carefully examine the newly emerging philosophical literature dealing with these issues in light of the classical texts on just and unjust war.
Course Materials
As taught by Cameron, Margaret Anne
No description available until spring term.
As taught by Kluge, Eike-Henner
An introduction to the thought of Ludwig Wittgenstein through an in-depth study of selected passages from his Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus and his Philosophical Investigations.
As taught by Raven, Michael
Objects can persist through changes in time. How can this happen? Do objects persist by being wholly present at each moment at which they exist, or by being an aggregate of temporal parts? What is it for an object to change? Is reality fundamentally tensed? How do views about the nature of time interact with views about persistence, change, and tense?
Course Materials
491 - Directed Studies in Philosophical Topics*
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Units: 1.5 or 3.0, Hours: 3-0
Under the supervision of a faculty member and with the approval of the Chair of the department.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 491, 448 if 448 taken under the same topic. May be taken more than once for credit in different topics.
Formerly: 448
Prerequisites: 9 units of Philosophy, or permission of the department.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
499 - Philosophy Honours Seminar*
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Units: 1.5, Hours: 3-0
Students will write, and present to a seminar of their peers, a substantial, original essay on a topic of their own choosing. Research into contemporary published work on the topic will form an essential part of the essay. Grades will be based on the written essay, its presentation in the seminar, and participation in the seminar presentations of the other students.
Prerequisites: Honours standing in fourth year.
Undergraduate course in Philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities.
As taught by Woodcock, Scott
This is a mandatory course for honours philosophy students during their final year. The seminar is designed to help students to develop the research and discussion skills needed to pursue graduate studies. We will meet regularly to discuss an assortment of topics in contemporary analytic philosophy. Emphasis will be placed on the collective effort that generates valuable philosophical discussion. Students will also be given the opportunity to write a term paper on a topic of their own choosing. Participation in the colloquium lecture series will be highly recommended though not strictly required.
Course Materials
Please refer to the print version of the Studies in Philosophy Booklet which contains a listing of Undergraduate courses offered by the department.
For further information on courses offered by the department, please refer to University of Victoria Online Calendar or the University of Victoria Timetable Online.
Course Details Booklet (PDF)
For details specific to each section of each course offered, please download our current Studies in Philosophy Booklet.