University of Toronto at Scarborough 2001/2002 Calendar
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(B.A.)
Discipline Representative: M. Kingwell (416-287-7172)
Philosophy is the study of the ideas that shape our thought and activity. While we do discuss controversial issues in politics, morality, science, religion, art, etc., philosophy is more concerned with the ideas that underlie all such debates. We consider what the role of government should be, what reasons there could be to describe anything as good or bad, what proves that something is true, whether there could be a reality beyond the physical world, and whether the only value of art is the pleasure it gives. Such questions have been answered in a variety of theories, and any study in philosophy begins with learning what others have thought; but our purpose is not primarily to be historians of ideas, and assignments focus on developing the intellectual abilities and techniques required to think effectively for oneself at this deeper level. So philosophy emphasizes interpretation and original thought, reasoning, discussion and assessment.
PHLA01Y is a survey of the main topic-areas of philosophy. It is recommended both as a course of general interest and as an introduction to the Major Program.
B-level courses address specific topics such as art, feminism, politics, techniques of argument, and theories of mind. Since they have no prerequisites they also serve as entry-points to philosophy.
Seminars in Philosophy are advanced courses for students with at least two full-course equivalents in Philosophy. (Instructors will admit students whose courses in other disciplines have adequately prepared them for a seminar. Students must provide transcripts when requesting special permission to enrol in a seminar).
D-level independent study courses are intended for
qualified students who wish to engage in advanced level work on
a well-defined topic of their choice. These courses are only available
with the prior agreement of an instructor.
Supervisor: M. Kingwell (416-287-7172)
Students must complete at least seven full-course
equivalents in Philosophy; at least three half-courses must be
at the C- or D-level.
Supervisor: M. Kingwell (416-287-7172)
Students must complete four full-course equivalents in Philosophy; at least two half-courses must be at the C- or D-level.
A discussion of some of the fundamental questions of philosophy: what is good reasoning? What is morality and can it be justified? Is it reasonable to adhere to a religion? What is knowledge? Are social practices justifiable? Is materialism true? Are humans free?
Some of the world's major philosophers will be studied with a view to answering these and other basic questions which have confronted us throughout history.
The course will be divided into the following lecture sections: L01, L02, L30. The problems addressed are substantially the same in each section, though the readings and approach may vary from section to section, depending on the instructor.
Staff
A study of philosophical problems and postures in ethics.
Topics may include: the relativity of values, the justification of morality, moral skepticism, ethical egoism, utilitarianism, doontologism.
Exclusions: PHL275, 276
An examination of issues that may be both contemporary and historical, that call on us to consider and articulate our values and commitments.
Exclusion: PHL381
T.B.A.
A study of philosophies about the order and governance of human societies.
In this course, a variety of significant political philosophies will be examined. Many questions may be considered, for example: What is justice? When, if ever, is it legitimate for some persons to have authority over others? Do people shape and choose the societies they want, or does society shape them? Who really knows what is best for society? Are all people equal? If so, how will society best reflect this?
Exclusion: PHL265
Study and discussion of a variety of issues in contemporary feminist philosophy.
This course will be an introduction to a diverse range of feminist ideas. Feminist thinkers differ greatly about the nature and source of the problem of gender inequality, and equally widely about proposals for more egalitarian societies.
What is feminism? What is a woman? or a man? Is there anything natural or inevitable about gender relations? Why do gender relations exist in virtually every known society? How do gender relations intersect with other social relations, such as economic class, culture, race, sexual orientation, etc.? These and other topics will be considered through assigned readings, class discussion, and written work.
An examination of such questions as certainty, the problem of skepticism, the scope and limits of human knowledge, the subjectivity of perception, rationality, and theories of truth.
Exclusion: PHL230
T.B.A.
A study of the views and approaches characteristic of such writers as Kierkegaard, Husserl, Jaspers, Heidegger and Sartre.
Exclusion: PHL220, 321
An introduction to formal techniques of reasoning, sentential logic, and quantification theory or predicate logic.
The emphasis is on appreciation of and practice in techniques, for example, for formal analysis of English statements and arguments, and for construction of clear and rigorous proofs.
Exclusion: PHL245
A study of methods and techniques for developing effective reasoning and argument, and an exploration of the patterns of thinking that characterize English thought.
This course aims to develop skill in identifying ambiguities, evaluating premises, constructing counter-examples, and reconstructing arguments. It examines such aspects as: informal logic; deductive argument versus persuasion; types of arguments and techniques of refutation; common fallacies and how to avoid them.
The focus will be on arguments made in ordinary,
as opposed to specialized or technical, language. A general proficiency
in
reading and writing English will be assumed. This course provides an important foundation for Philosophy students, while offering useful skills for all students, no matter what their Program.
Exclusions: PHL/PHI247H, TRN200H
T.B.A.
A consideration of problems in metaphysics.
Metaphysics is the attempt to see "how things hang together" in the most general possible sense of this phrase. Some of the issues we will cover: the creation and form of the universe, the nature of truth, the ground of possibility and necessity and their relation and the problem of freedom of the will.
Exclusion: PHL231
Examination of interplay between science and religion. The focus is on similarities and differences in their structures, on methods and theories, on epistemic status of assertions in each domain, and introducing the vocabulary necessary for understanding some of the historical and contemporary issues.
T.B.A.
A study of philosophical questions raised by the natural sciences.
We shall discuss: alternative conceptions of theory structure; the role of scientific methodology in exploring and predicting phenomena; and the rationality and progress of science.
Exclusion: (BJPC70H)(PHLB71), PHL355, BIOC70H
Prerequisite: One course or half-course in Philosophy or a course in one of the Sciences
An examination of questions concerning the nature of mind and thinking.
Traditionally, the mind has been conceived as a mysterious component of human beings, existing in relative independence from the conditions of physical life. Modern research into the structure and function of the brain has thrown doubts on this view, and work in computer science suggests that minds and thinking can even be attributed to machines.
We will examine the nature of the mind, and such questions as what thinking is, and whether or not machines can have a mind.
Exclusions: PHL240, 242
T.B.A.
An examination of basic philosophical issues in the creation and interpretation of culture.
What do we mean when we use the word "culture"? What intellectual tools do we need to understand culture? Is philosophical questioning, often thought to be universal, in fact shaped by developments in the surrounding culture? How, in turn, does philosophy appraise the importance of culture? Can philosophical reflection help resolve conflicts within, and between, cultures? Thinkers to be studied may include: Marx, Freud, Gadamer, Habermas, Foucault, Lyotard, Innis and McLuhan.
T.B.A.
A study of theistic belief using logical arguments.
The course will take up all major arguments, classical and modern, for and against the existence of, and beliefs in, God. From time to time logic of various sorts will be explained and related to these arguments. Other likely topics include God and morality, and divine omniscience and freedom.
Prerequisite: Two F.C.E.'s in PHL or permission of the instructor
A detailed examination of philosophical issues in thinking about culture.
This course will pursue theoretical concerns about interpretation, dialogue, identity and authenticity as they relate to cultural formations, including minority cultures, sub-cultures and popular culture. We also consider the role of ideology, the construction of cultural consensus, and the influence of the media on culture. Readings from authors such as Barthes, Postman, Gadamer, Habermas, Bataille, Debord and Beaudrillard.
Prerequisite: Two F.C.E. in PHL or permission of the instructor.
An exploration of theories which provide answers to the question "What is a human being?" These answers probe and develop the sorts of catch-phrase definitions to which we are all accustomed: "Man is a rational animal," "Man is a political animal," "Man is inherently individual," "Man is inherently social." Theories of human nature bring together considerations from ethics, political philosophy, metaphysics and philosophy of mind (and so acquaintance with some subset of these areas is required). We will study a wide variety of works by authors such as: Aristotle, Hobbes, Rousseau, Marx and Freud.
Prerequisite: Two F.C.E.'s in PHL or permission of the instructor.
T.B.A.
Study of important ideas concerning social order and relationships. This course will be an exploration of contemporary works in political philosophy that strive to deal constructively with questions of cultural, racial, gender or other diversity, including questions of wealth and poverty.
Prerequisite: Two F.C.E.'s in PHL or permission of the instructor
Prerequisite: Two F.C.E.'s in PHL or permission of the instructor.
T.B.A.
Kant makes the startling discovery that if morality is based in a free will, then morality can have no objective criteria in the world. But if this is the case, then what is the nature of my ethical obligation, if any? Kant's discovery had enormous importance for moral philosophy, but even those who depend on his philosophical orientation do not agree with his conclusion. We will look at Hegel, Heidegger and Levinas, who argue that ethical obligation cannot be based in a feeling of pure duty, as Kant proposed, but must be based in a more profound relation, such as an inherent recognition of others, an existential connection to them, or the face to face encounter with the Other. We will start with a through study of Kant's Critique of Practical Reason, briefly explore Hegel and Heidegger and end with Levinas's ethics of the Other.
Prerequisite: Two F.C.E.'s in PHL or permission of the instructor.
These courses are intended for qualified students
who wish to engage in advanced level work on a well-defined topic
of their choice. These courses are only available with the prior
arrangement of an instructor.
University of Toronto at Scarborough 2001/2002 Calendar
Back to Neuroscience
Continue to Physical Sciences Scarborough
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