Otago Philosophy - 200 Level Papers

PHIL 221 Analytic Philosophy

Points value: 18 points

Second Semester

This course deals with the founding fathers of analytic philosophy (roughly 1900-1950): G.E. Moore, Bertrand Russell, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and the Logical Positivists. We shall also discuss some of their opponents and critics, such as the pragmatist William James, and Willard van Orman Quine.

PHIL 222 Introduction to Formal Logic

Points value: 18 points

Second Semester

Logic is the study of the methods and principles used in distinguishing valid from invalid arguments. Formal logic facilitates this by translating arguments into symbolic form so as to avoid the vagueness and ambiguity of ordinary language. Computer assisted learning is available for part of this paper.

PHIL 225 Philosophy of Science

Points value: 18 points

Second Semester

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

First Semester

'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

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

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

First Semester

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 231 Early Modern Philosophy A: Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz

Points value: 18 points

Second Semester

The central issues in the philosophy of Descartes and its subsequent impact on the philosophy of Spinoza and Leibniz.

PHIL 233 Philosophy of Language and Mind

Points value: 18 points

First Semester

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.

The following papers will next be offered in 2013:

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