300 Level Papers

The following is a list of the 300 level, third year papers available in the Philosophy Department in 2012. Some of the papers can be taken at 200 or 400 level. Click here for more information on papers offered and course requirements.

PHIL 321 Analytic Philosophy

Points value: 18 points

Second Semester

Charles Pigden

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 323 Metaphysical Questions

Points value: 18 points

First Semester

Heather Dyke

Metaphysics is concerned with the ultimate nature of reality. What sorts of things exist? And what are those things like? Topics covered include: things and their properties, identity through change, possible worlds, causation, time and truth.

PHIL 329 Philosophy of Religion

Points value: 18 points

First Semester

Greg Dawes

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 331 Early Modern Philosophy A: Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz

Points value: 18 points

Second Semester

Peter Anstey

Also available as PHIL 231

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

PHIL 333 Philosophy of Language and Mind

Points value: 18 points

First Semester

Andrew Moore, Zach Weber

Also available as PHIL 233

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.

PHIL 335 Why Be Moral?

Points value: 18 points

First Semester

Charles Pigden

Also available as PHIL 406

Why be moral? Some believe that morality is pernicious since it serves as an excuse for cruelty and a prop to predatory elites. Others believe that society is better off believing in a sane and humane morality rather than none at all. But even if morality is socially necessary why should I, the individual, subscribe to the myth? Or, if morality is not a myth, why should I do the right thing if the wrong thing would pay better? We discuss these questions, touching on Plato and Dostoevsky, Laclos and Shakespeare.

PHIL 338 Ethical Theory

Points value: 18 points

Second Semester

Andrew Moore

Also available as PHIL 413

Philosophical ideals of the human good, and their role in morality, politics, applied ethics, and literature.

The following papers will next be offered in 2013:

Phil 332 Early Modern Philosophy B: Locke Berkeley, Hume

© Philosophy, University of Otago.
Feedback | Disclaimer | Contacts | ^ Top of page