200 Level Papers

The following is a list of the 200 level, second year papers available in the Philosophy Department in 2013. Click here for more information on papers offered and course requirements.

PHIL 221 Analytic Philosophy

Points value: 18 points

Second Semester

Alex Miller

Also available as PHIL 321

This course deals with the founding fathers of analytic philosophy. We will cover Frege’s theory of sense and reference, G.E. Moore’s argument that goodness is a simple and unanalyzable non-natural property, Bertrand Russell’s theory of descriptions, logical positivism and the verification principle, and Quine’s famous attack on the analytic/synthetic distinction. Some knowledge of these thinkers is needed for a full understanding of contemporary analytic philosophy.

PHIL 222 Introduction to Formal Logic

Points value: 18 points

First Semester

Zach Weber

Learn how to test the logical structure of arguments for validity, and prove things with deductive certainty.

PHIL 223 Metaphysical Questions

Points value: 18 points

First Semester

Raamy Majeed

Investigations into the nature and structure of existence. What sorts of things are there? What are possible worlds? How is change possible?

PHIL 225 Philosophy of Science

Points value: 18 points

First Semester

Greg Dawes

The topics in this paper include: What is special about Science? How are scientific theories generated? How are they tested? Can theories be conclusively established? What makes a good scientific explanation? To what extent is the succession of theories in the history of science driven by social forces? No knowledge of science is assumed.

PHIL 226 History of Science

Points value: 18 points

Second Semester

Alan Musgrave

'The past is a foreign country - they do things differently there." (L.P. Hartley, The Go-Between). Looking at science's history yeilds all the advantages of foreign travel with none of the expense! The paper examines the chief historical episodes which have led to modern science. The most extended case study is the Copernican Revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries. Other case studies are the Chemical Revolution of the late 18th century and the Darwinian Revolution of the 19th century. No knowledge of science is assumed.

PHIL 227 Morality and Politics: Hobbes To Hume

Points value: 18 points

First Semester

Charles Pigden

What do moral judgements mean, and what (if anything) makes them true? What sort of political set-up is required if people are to get along? This paper examines the answers to these questions given by Hobbes (1588-1679), Locke (1732-1704), and Hume (1711-1776). Were any of them right?

PHIL 228 Ethics

Points value: 18 points

First Semester

Andrew Moore

The first part of this paper examines the main ethical theories. For instance, is doing the right thing a matter of: maximising good consequences; doing God's will; acting in accord with natural law; doing only what we can rationally will; or acting as a virtuous person would? The second part of the paper examines critiques of the whole project of ethical theory, and alternative ways of doing ethics.

PHIL 229 Philosophy of Religion

Points value: 18 points

Second Semester

Greg Dawes

Also available as PHIL 329

In an age of increasing religious conflict, it is vital that religious beliefs be subject to critical scrunity. Can we make sense of the idea of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and benevolent God? Do we have any reason to believe he exists? Does religious belief need reasons? What about faith? If I believe I have encountered God, is that not enough? If God existed, would he have created a world such as ours, with all its suffering? These questions, and others, are addressed by the philosophy of religion.

PHIL 232 Early Modern Philosophy B: Locke, Berkeley, Hume

Points value: 18 points

Second Semester

Lecturer TBA

Also available as PHIL 332

The central issues in the philosophy of Locke and its subsequent impact on the philosophy of Berkeley and Hume.

PHIL 233 Philosophy of Language and Mind

Points value: 18 points

First Semester

Alex Miller, Andrew Moore

Also available as PHIL 333

The foundation and development of modern philosophy of mind and language in the second half of the twentieth century, and the radical effects these developments have had on modern analytic philosophy.

PHPE (PPE) Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Philosophy, Politics and Economics is a multidisciplinary programme that incorporates an attractive and intellectually stimulating combination of three long-established and influential disciplines. Students develop a basic literacy in each of the three subjects; they are exposed to a broad range of exciting ideas, and they are encouraged to cultivate a set of logical, mathematical and analytical skills. Since PPE or PHPE is a sixteen-paper rather than a nine-paper major, students can expect, on average, to do 55% as much philosophy as a ‘straight’ philosopher, 55% as much politics as a politics major and 66% as much economics as a ‘pure’ economist, though these figures can vary up and down since some specialization permitted at 300-level.

For more information about PHPE go here.

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