The courses listed below are provided by the JHU Public Course Search. This listing provides a snapshot of immediately available courses and may not be complete.
The current paradigm for understanding addiction is a brain disease of compulsion, investigated in large part through animal models. Yet addiction in humans has dimensions of meaning and suffering alike that cannot be captured by neuroscience or modelled in animals. This First-Year Seminar explores addiction by combining what we know from addiction science with what we know from philosophy and the humanities, as well as therapy, journalism, film, and autobiographical narratives. We will work to understand the puzzle of why people use drugs in ways that can come to destroy their lives through these various lenses and without recourse to stigma, dogma, or dehumanization. This interdisciplinary course will develop students' skills in reading, analytic thinking, and writing; we will also visit an animal lab.
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FYS: The Human Face of Addiction AS.001.202 (01)
The current paradigm for understanding addiction is a brain disease of compulsion, investigated in large part through animal models. Yet addiction in humans has dimensions of meaning and suffering alike that cannot be captured by neuroscience or modelled in animals. This First-Year Seminar explores addiction by combining what we know from addiction science with what we know from philosophy and the humanities, as well as therapy, journalism, film, and autobiographical narratives. We will work to understand the puzzle of why people use drugs in ways that can come to destroy their lives through these various lenses and without recourse to stigma, dogma, or dehumanization. This interdisciplinary course will develop students' skills in reading, analytic thinking, and writing; we will also visit an animal lab.
Days/Times: M 10:30AM - 1:00PM
Instructor: Pickard, Hanna
Room: Gilman 288
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/12
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.001.244 (01)
FYS: Death and the Meaning of Life
W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Ismael, Jenann T
Gilman 288
Fall 2024
It is difficult to think about the fact that you will die. It is confusing theoretically and it is confusing emotionally. We will be spending the course trying to think our way through the confusions. On the theoretical side, thinking about the fact that you will die raises a cluster of philosophical questions. What are you? Are you necessarily the sort of thing that ceases to exist when your biological life ends? What is it that connects you to your childish self and makes some person in the future you? And does the fact that you die diminish the value of your life? If it means the end of your existence, does it make life absurd, or meaningless, or only more precious? We will address these questions as well as whether death should be feared, whether death is bad, and whether immortality would be desirable.
Being confronted with the fact of your death can also help focus questions about how you should live. It presses you to think about what makes life worth living? What makes a life meaningful? Are there objective answers to what makes a life meaningful, or is this a personal choice? If meaningfulness involves some kind of overarching project (e.g., achieving something, leaving something behind, participating in something larger than ourselves) is meaningfulness worth pursuing, or should we instead throw off the tyranny of purposes and just live?
These are the things we will be talking about over the course of the semester.
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FYS: Death and the Meaning of Life AS.001.244 (01)
It is difficult to think about the fact that you will die. It is confusing theoretically and it is confusing emotionally. We will be spending the course trying to think our way through the confusions. On the theoretical side, thinking about the fact that you will die raises a cluster of philosophical questions. What are you? Are you necessarily the sort of thing that ceases to exist when your biological life ends? What is it that connects you to your childish self and makes some person in the future you? And does the fact that you die diminish the value of your life? If it means the end of your existence, does it make life absurd, or meaningless, or only more precious? We will address these questions as well as whether death should be feared, whether death is bad, and whether immortality would be desirable.
Being confronted with the fact of your death can also help focus questions about how you should live. It presses you to think about what makes life worth living? What makes a life meaningful? Are there objective answers to what makes a life meaningful, or is this a personal choice? If meaningfulness involves some kind of overarching project (e.g., achieving something, leaving something behind, participating in something larger than ourselves) is meaningfulness worth pursuing, or should we instead throw off the tyranny of purposes and just live?
These are the things we will be talking about over the course of the semester.
Days/Times: W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Ismael, Jenann T
Room: Gilman 288
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/12
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.001.245 (01)
FYS: American Indian Philosophy
MW 10:30AM - 11:45AM
Connolly, Patrick
Gilman 134
Fall 2024
More than 500 federally recognized Native tribes and many more who are not federally recognized live within the borders of the United States. Each of these communities has its own history, identity, traditions, relationship to the land, and story of survivance. This First Year Seminar will examine the philosophical views of some of these American Indian communities as they relate to topics like truth, knowledge, identity and the self, causation, and ethics. We will compare these Indigenous approaches with one another and with Euro-American approaches. We will also explore contemporary American Indian thought as it relates to colonialism and anti-colonialism, land, futurity, sovereignty, and resistance.
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FYS: American Indian Philosophy AS.001.245 (01)
More than 500 federally recognized Native tribes and many more who are not federally recognized live within the borders of the United States. Each of these communities has its own history, identity, traditions, relationship to the land, and story of survivance. This First Year Seminar will examine the philosophical views of some of these American Indian communities as they relate to topics like truth, knowledge, identity and the self, causation, and ethics. We will compare these Indigenous approaches with one another and with Euro-American approaches. We will also explore contemporary American Indian thought as it relates to colonialism and anti-colonialism, land, futurity, sovereignty, and resistance.
Days/Times: MW 10:30AM - 11:45AM
Instructor: Connolly, Patrick
Room: Gilman 134
Status: Open
Seats Available: 3/12
PosTag(s): CES-LE
AS.150.136 (01)
Philosophy & Science: An Introduction to Both
MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Achinstein, Peter
Gilman 50
Fall 2024
Philosophers and scientists raise important questions about the nature of the physical world, the mental world, the relationship between them, and the right methods to use in their investigations of these worlds. The answers they present are very different. Scientists are usually empiricists, and want to answer questions by experiment and observation. Philosophers don’t want to do this, but defend their views a priori. Why? Can both be right? Readings will present philosophical and scientific views about the world and our knowledge of it. They will include selections from major historical and contemporary figures in philosophy and science. The course has no prerequisites in philosophy or science.
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Philosophy & Science: An Introduction to Both AS.150.136 (01)
Philosophers and scientists raise important questions about the nature of the physical world, the mental world, the relationship between them, and the right methods to use in their investigations of these worlds. The answers they present are very different. Scientists are usually empiricists, and want to answer questions by experiment and observation. Philosophers don’t want to do this, but defend their views a priori. Why? Can both be right? Readings will present philosophical and scientific views about the world and our knowledge of it. They will include selections from major historical and contemporary figures in philosophy and science. The course has no prerequisites in philosophy or science.
Days/Times: MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Instructor: Achinstein, Peter
Room: Gilman 50
Status: Open
Seats Available: 2/20
PosTag(s): PHIL-LOGSCI, COGS-PHLMND, ARCH-RELATE
AS.150.136 (02)
Philosophy & Science: An Introduction to Both
MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
Achinstein, Peter
Gilman 50
Fall 2024
Philosophers and scientists raise important questions about the nature of the physical world, the mental world, the relationship between them, and the right methods to use in their investigations of these worlds. The answers they present are very different. Scientists are usually empiricists, and want to answer questions by experiment and observation. Philosophers don’t want to do this, but defend their views a priori. Why? Can both be right? Readings will present philosophical and scientific views about the world and our knowledge of it. They will include selections from major historical and contemporary figures in philosophy and science. The course has no prerequisites in philosophy or science.
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Philosophy & Science: An Introduction to Both AS.150.136 (02)
Philosophers and scientists raise important questions about the nature of the physical world, the mental world, the relationship between them, and the right methods to use in their investigations of these worlds. The answers they present are very different. Scientists are usually empiricists, and want to answer questions by experiment and observation. Philosophers don’t want to do this, but defend their views a priori. Why? Can both be right? Readings will present philosophical and scientific views about the world and our knowledge of it. They will include selections from major historical and contemporary figures in philosophy and science. The course has no prerequisites in philosophy or science.
Days/Times: MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
Instructor: Achinstein, Peter
Room: Gilman 50
Status: Open
Seats Available: 9/20
PosTag(s): PHIL-LOGSCI, COGS-PHLMND, ARCH-RELATE
AS.150.136 (03)
Philosophy & Science: An Introduction to Both
MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Achinstein, Peter
Gilman 50
Fall 2024
Philosophers and scientists raise important questions about the nature of the physical world, the mental world, the relationship between them, and the right methods to use in their investigations of these worlds. The answers they present are very different. Scientists are usually empiricists, and want to answer questions by experiment and observation. Philosophers don’t want to do this, but defend their views a priori. Why? Can both be right? Readings will present philosophical and scientific views about the world and our knowledge of it. They will include selections from major historical and contemporary figures in philosophy and science. The course has no prerequisites in philosophy or science.
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Philosophy & Science: An Introduction to Both AS.150.136 (03)
Philosophers and scientists raise important questions about the nature of the physical world, the mental world, the relationship between them, and the right methods to use in their investigations of these worlds. The answers they present are very different. Scientists are usually empiricists, and want to answer questions by experiment and observation. Philosophers don’t want to do this, but defend their views a priori. Why? Can both be right? Readings will present philosophical and scientific views about the world and our knowledge of it. They will include selections from major historical and contemporary figures in philosophy and science. The course has no prerequisites in philosophy or science.
Days/Times: MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Instructor: Achinstein, Peter
Room: Gilman 50
Status: Open
Seats Available: 1/20
PosTag(s): PHIL-LOGSCI, COGS-PHLMND, ARCH-RELATE
AS.150.201 (01)
Introduction To Greek Philosophy
MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 10:00AM - 10:50AM
Bett, Richard
Ames 234
Fall 2024
A survey of the earlier phase of Greek philosophy. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle will be discussed, as well as two groups of thinkers who preceded them, usually known as the pre-Socratics and the Sophists.
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Introduction To Greek Philosophy AS.150.201 (01)
A survey of the earlier phase of Greek philosophy. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle will be discussed, as well as two groups of thinkers who preceded them, usually known as the pre-Socratics and the Sophists.
Days/Times: MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 10:00AM - 10:50AM
Instructor: Bett, Richard
Room: Ames 234
Status: Open
Seats Available: 1/15
PosTag(s): PHIL-ANCIEN
AS.150.201 (02)
Introduction To Greek Philosophy
MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 10:00AM - 10:50AM
Bett, Richard
Ames 234
Fall 2024
A survey of the earlier phase of Greek philosophy. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle will be discussed, as well as two groups of thinkers who preceded them, usually known as the pre-Socratics and the Sophists.
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Introduction To Greek Philosophy AS.150.201 (02)
A survey of the earlier phase of Greek philosophy. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle will be discussed, as well as two groups of thinkers who preceded them, usually known as the pre-Socratics and the Sophists.
Days/Times: MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 10:00AM - 10:50AM
Instructor: Bett, Richard
Room: Ames 234
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/15
PosTag(s): PHIL-ANCIEN
AS.150.201 (03)
Introduction To Greek Philosophy
MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Bett, Richard
Ames 234
Fall 2024
A survey of the earlier phase of Greek philosophy. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle will be discussed, as well as two groups of thinkers who preceded them, usually known as the pre-Socratics and the Sophists.
×
Introduction To Greek Philosophy AS.150.201 (03)
A survey of the earlier phase of Greek philosophy. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle will be discussed, as well as two groups of thinkers who preceded them, usually known as the pre-Socratics and the Sophists.
Days/Times: MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Instructor: Bett, Richard
Room: Ames 234
Status: Open
Seats Available: 3/15
PosTag(s): PHIL-ANCIEN
AS.150.219 (01)
Intro to Bioethics
MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
Bok, Hilary
Bloomberg 272
Fall 2024
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
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Intro to Bioethics AS.150.219 (01)
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
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Intro to Bioethics AS.150.219 (02)
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
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Intro to Bioethics AS.150.219 (03)
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
×
Intro to Bioethics AS.150.219 (04)
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 1:30PM - 2:20PM
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
×
Intro to Bioethics AS.150.219 (05)
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 1:30PM - 2:20PM
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
×
Intro to Bioethics AS.150.219 (06)
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 1:30PM - 2:20PM
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
×
Intro to Bioethics AS.150.219 (07)
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 3:00PM - 3:50PM
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
×
Intro to Bioethics AS.150.219 (09)
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
×
Intro to Bioethics AS.150.219 (10)
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 3:00PM - 3:50PM
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
×
Intro to Bioethics AS.150.219 (12)
Introduction to a wide range of moral issues arising in the biomedical fields, e.g. physician-assisted suicide, human cloning, abortion, surrogacy, and human subjects research. Cross listed with Public Health Studies.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
Prometheus is Johns Hopkins' undergraduate philosophical society. The society organizes a conference and publishes a journal each year and more generally provides a community for philosophically-minded students. The Prometheus workshop facilitates this through open philosophical discussion; interaction with faculty, graduate students, and other members of the Philosophy Department; and other activities. For more information, please visit . Prerequisite: MUST have taken one philosophy course
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Prometheus Workshop AS.150.300 (01)
Prometheus is Johns Hopkins' undergraduate philosophical society. The society organizes a conference and publishes a journal each year and more generally provides a community for philosophically-minded students. The Prometheus workshop facilitates this through open philosophical discussion; interaction with faculty, graduate students, and other members of the Philosophy Department; and other activities. For more information, please visit . Prerequisite: MUST have taken one philosophy course
Days/Times: T 7:00PM - 7:50PM
Instructor: Taylor, Elanor Jane
Room: Gilman 288
Status: Open
Seats Available: 15/25
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.150.301 (02)
Majors Seminar: Realism
TTh 9:00AM - 10:15AM
Taylor, Elanor Jane
Gilman 313
Fall 2024
Metaphysics addresses fundamental questions about the nature and structure of reality. In this majors' seminar we will explore a range of topics in metaphysics, focusing particularly on distinctions between realism and anti-realism. We will also work on core philosophical skills including argument reconstruction, presenting original work to an audience, and writing longer philosophy papers.
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Majors Seminar: Realism AS.150.301 (02)
Metaphysics addresses fundamental questions about the nature and structure of reality. In this majors' seminar we will explore a range of topics in metaphysics, focusing particularly on distinctions between realism and anti-realism. We will also work on core philosophical skills including argument reconstruction, presenting original work to an audience, and writing longer philosophy papers.
Days/Times: TTh 9:00AM - 10:15AM
Instructor: Taylor, Elanor Jane
Room: Gilman 313
Status: Open
Seats Available: 4/15
PosTag(s): PHIL-SEM
AS.150.311 (01)
So True: Truth, Clarity, and Getting Things Right
TTh 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Lettie, Jacob Randolph
Gilman 288
Fall 2024
Truth is a topic which connects questions about language, logic, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of science, and ethics. In this course, students will learn about truth and the role that truth plays in central topics in philosophy. The course consists of three units, addressed to three big questions: (1) What is truth? (2) What are the different ways that a sentence can come close to being true? (3) How should our actions and speech be guided by truth?
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So True: Truth, Clarity, and Getting Things Right AS.150.311 (01)
Truth is a topic which connects questions about language, logic, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of science, and ethics. In this course, students will learn about truth and the role that truth plays in central topics in philosophy. The course consists of three units, addressed to three big questions: (1) What is truth? (2) What are the different ways that a sentence can come close to being true? (3) How should our actions and speech be guided by truth?
Days/Times: TTh 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Instructor: Lettie, Jacob Randolph
Room: Gilman 288
Status: Open
Seats Available: 4/18
PosTag(s): PHIL-MIND, COGS-PHLMND
AS.150.318 (01)
Art, Beauty, and the Sublime
TTh 10:30AM - 11:45AM
Eggert, Nick William
Gilman 288
Fall 2024
Aesthetics is the subdiscipline of philosophy that explores the nature and value of beauty, often with an emphasis on the beautiful work of art. In this course, we shall pursue the following questions, and doubtless many others: Why do human beings produce works of art? What “counts” as a work of art? What is beauty, and why do we value it so highly? Are aesthetic judgments purely subjective or is there an objective (or intersubjective) standard against which beauty might be measured? Is there a relationship between beauty and morality? What is “taste”? What role does the work of art play in education, in our emotional lives, and in the relationships that we form with one another? Included among the philosophers who shall serve as our points of reference, we will be reading: Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, Hume, Shaftesbury, Kant, Schelling, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Goodman, and Danto.
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Art, Beauty, and the Sublime AS.150.318 (01)
Aesthetics is the subdiscipline of philosophy that explores the nature and value of beauty, often with an emphasis on the beautiful work of art. In this course, we shall pursue the following questions, and doubtless many others: Why do human beings produce works of art? What “counts” as a work of art? What is beauty, and why do we value it so highly? Are aesthetic judgments purely subjective or is there an objective (or intersubjective) standard against which beauty might be measured? Is there a relationship between beauty and morality? What is “taste”? What role does the work of art play in education, in our emotional lives, and in the relationships that we form with one another? Included among the philosophers who shall serve as our points of reference, we will be reading: Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, Hume, Shaftesbury, Kant, Schelling, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Goodman, and Danto.
Days/Times: TTh 10:30AM - 11:45AM
Instructor: Eggert, Nick William
Room: Gilman 288
Status: Open
Seats Available: 4/18
PosTag(s): PHIL-ETHICS
AS.150.352 (01)
What do 'good' and 'bad' mean? - An Introduction to Metaethics
TTh 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Ioakimidis, Alexander Milton
Bloomberg 172
Fall 2024
Are there objective moral truths, or is morality just a matter of opinion? When someone says that ‘lying is wrong,’ or ‘you shouldn’t steal,’ what do these sentences mean? The branch of philosophy concerned with questions like these is called metaethics. Metaethics is distinct from ordinary (or first order) ethics. Ethics concerns what we ought to do, and whether various actions and choices are right or wrong. Metaethics, by contrast, is about what moral sentences mean, whether they assert (or describe) objective facts, what it means for a moral sentence to be ‘true,’ and more. In this course, we will use the tools of philosophical analysis to examine these questions and engage with the five most prominent answers to them. Students will discover where they stand on important metaethical issues, and then develop their own arguments to defend their position. Recommended Course Background: at least one course in philosophy.
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What do 'good' and 'bad' mean? - An Introduction to Metaethics AS.150.352 (01)
Are there objective moral truths, or is morality just a matter of opinion? When someone says that ‘lying is wrong,’ or ‘you shouldn’t steal,’ what do these sentences mean? The branch of philosophy concerned with questions like these is called metaethics. Metaethics is distinct from ordinary (or first order) ethics. Ethics concerns what we ought to do, and whether various actions and choices are right or wrong. Metaethics, by contrast, is about what moral sentences mean, whether they assert (or describe) objective facts, what it means for a moral sentence to be ‘true,’ and more. In this course, we will use the tools of philosophical analysis to examine these questions and engage with the five most prominent answers to them. Students will discover where they stand on important metaethical issues, and then develop their own arguments to defend their position. Recommended Course Background: at least one course in philosophy.
Days/Times: TTh 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Instructor: Ioakimidis, Alexander Milton
Room: Bloomberg 172
Status: Open
Seats Available: 2/18
PosTag(s): PHIL-ETHICS
AS.150.361 (01)
Partial Truth
Th 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Bledin, Justin
Krieger 306
Fall 2024
Truth is one of the oldest and most central subjects in the philosophical tradition. Its influence extends throughout the discipline, from the philosophy of language, where a longstanding idea is that understanding the meaning of a sentence involves knowing the conditions under which it is true and cooperative speakers are expected to speak the truth, to epistemology, where belief is considered to aim at the truth, among other places. However, truth may, of course, be partial. What one says or believes may be true about one subject matter, false about another. In this seminar, we seek a systematic understanding of the notion of partial truth, drawing on recent work in the framework of truthmaker semantics. We will then explore how various philosophical debates oriented around truth look when recast in a partial light.
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Partial Truth AS.150.361 (01)
Truth is one of the oldest and most central subjects in the philosophical tradition. Its influence extends throughout the discipline, from the philosophy of language, where a longstanding idea is that understanding the meaning of a sentence involves knowing the conditions under which it is true and cooperative speakers are expected to speak the truth, to epistemology, where belief is considered to aim at the truth, among other places. However, truth may, of course, be partial. What one says or believes may be true about one subject matter, false about another. In this seminar, we seek a systematic understanding of the notion of partial truth, drawing on recent work in the framework of truthmaker semantics. We will then explore how various philosophical debates oriented around truth look when recast in a partial light.
Days/Times: Th 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Bledin, Justin
Room: Krieger 306
Status: Open
Seats Available: 3/15
PosTag(s): PHIL-LOGSCI, PHIL-LOGSCI, COGS-PHLMND
AS.150.403 (01)
Hellenistic Philosophy
MW 3:00PM - 4:15PM
Bett, Richard
Gilman 217
Fall 2024
A study of later Greek philosophy, stretching roughly from the death of Aristotle to the Roman imperial period. Epicureans, Stoics, and Skeptics will be the main philosophical schools examined.
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Hellenistic Philosophy AS.150.403 (01)
A study of later Greek philosophy, stretching roughly from the death of Aristotle to the Roman imperial period. Epicureans, Stoics, and Skeptics will be the main philosophical schools examined.
Days/Times: MW 3:00PM - 4:15PM
Instructor: Bett, Richard
Room: Gilman 217
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/15
PosTag(s): PHIL-ANCIEN
AS.150.406 (01)
Tragedy and Living Well
F 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Lebron, Christopher Joseph
Gilman 134
Fall 2024
This course revisits the idea of tragedy as represented in Ancient Greek thought for the purpose of approaching questions of flourishing and ethical living from a different angle.
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Tragedy and Living Well AS.150.406 (01)
This course revisits the idea of tragedy as represented in Ancient Greek thought for the purpose of approaching questions of flourishing and ethical living from a different angle.
Days/Times: F 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Lebron, Christopher Joseph
Room: Gilman 134
Status: Reserved Open
Seats Available: 7/15
PosTag(s): PHIL-ANCIEN
AS.150.422 (01)
Axiomatic Set Theory
TTh 9:00AM - 10:15AM
Rynasiewicz, Robert
Gilman 288
Fall 2024
A development of Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory (ZF), including the axiom of choice (ZFC), a system in which all of mathematics can be formulated (i.e., entails all theorems of mathematics). Although, we’ll do an exposure to transfinite ordinals and cardinals in general so that you can get a sense for how stupendously “large” these can be, the main thrust concerns certain simple, seemingly well-posed conjectures whose status appears problematic. For example, the Continuum Hypothesis (CH) is the conjecture that the cardinality of the real numbers is the first uncountable cardinality, i.e., the first cardinality greater than that of the set of natural numbers. Equivalently, there is no uncountable subset of real numbers strictly smaller in cardinality than the full set of reals. (You’d think that if there were one, you would be able eventually to find such.) Cantor thought that CH is true, but could not prove it. Gödel showed, at least, that if ZFC is consistent, then so is ZFC+CH. However, Paul Cohen later proved that if ZFC is consistent, then so is ZFC + the negation of CH. In fact, CH could fail in astoundingly many ways. For example, the cardinality of the continuum could be (weakly) inaccessible, i.e., of a cardinality that cannot even be proved to exist in ZFC (although the reals can certainly can be proved to exist in ZFC). So, are there further, intuitively true axioms that can be added to ZFC to resolve the cardinality of the continuum, and CH is definitely true or false? Or, as Cohen thought, does CH simply lack a definite truth value?
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Axiomatic Set Theory AS.150.422 (01)
A development of Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory (ZF), including the axiom of choice (ZFC), a system in which all of mathematics can be formulated (i.e., entails all theorems of mathematics). Although, we’ll do an exposure to transfinite ordinals and cardinals in general so that you can get a sense for how stupendously “large” these can be, the main thrust concerns certain simple, seemingly well-posed conjectures whose status appears problematic. For example, the Continuum Hypothesis (CH) is the conjecture that the cardinality of the real numbers is the first uncountable cardinality, i.e., the first cardinality greater than that of the set of natural numbers. Equivalently, there is no uncountable subset of real numbers strictly smaller in cardinality than the full set of reals. (You’d think that if there were one, you would be able eventually to find such.) Cantor thought that CH is true, but could not prove it. Gödel showed, at least, that if ZFC is consistent, then so is ZFC+CH. However, Paul Cohen later proved that if ZFC is consistent, then so is ZFC + the negation of CH. In fact, CH could fail in astoundingly many ways. For example, the cardinality of the continuum could be (weakly) inaccessible, i.e., of a cardinality that cannot even be proved to exist in ZFC (although the reals can certainly can be proved to exist in ZFC). So, are there further, intuitively true axioms that can be added to ZFC to resolve the cardinality of the continuum, and CH is definitely true or false? Or, as Cohen thought, does CH simply lack a definite truth value?
Days/Times: TTh 9:00AM - 10:15AM
Instructor: Rynasiewicz, Robert
Room: Gilman 288
Status: Reserved Open
Seats Available: 7/12
PosTag(s): PHIL-LOGSCI
AS.150.423 (01)
Theory of Knowledge
W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Goodman, Jeremy
Gilman 17
Fall 2024
An advanced introduction to the central problems, concepts and theories of contemporary philosophical epistemology (theory of knowledge). Topics to be explored will includes: what is knowledge (and why do we want it)?; theories of justification (foundationalism, the coherence theory, etc.); externalism and internalism in epistemology; skepticism, relativism and how to avoid them. Reading from contemporary sources.
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Theory of Knowledge AS.150.423 (01)
An advanced introduction to the central problems, concepts and theories of contemporary philosophical epistemology (theory of knowledge). Topics to be explored will includes: what is knowledge (and why do we want it)?; theories of justification (foundationalism, the coherence theory, etc.); externalism and internalism in epistemology; skepticism, relativism and how to avoid them. Reading from contemporary sources.
Days/Times: W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Goodman, Jeremy
Room: Gilman 17
Status: Reserved Open
Seats Available: 9/15
PosTag(s): MSCH-HUM, COGS-PHLMND, PHIL-MIND
AS.150.438 (01)
Spinoza's Ethics
M 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Melamed, Yitzhak Yohanan
Gilman 381
Fall 2024
The seminar is a study of Spinoza’s philosophical masterpiece, the Ethics. We will attempt to cover all five parts of the book and discuss major interpretive problems and debates.
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Spinoza's Ethics AS.150.438 (01)
The seminar is a study of Spinoza’s philosophical masterpiece, the Ethics. We will attempt to cover all five parts of the book and discuss major interpretive problems and debates.
Days/Times: M 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Instructor: Melamed, Yitzhak Yohanan
Room: Gilman 381
Status: Reserved Open
Seats Available: 8/15
PosTag(s): PHIL-MODERN
AS.150.468 (01)
Essence
W 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Melamed, Yitzhak Yohanan; Morvarid, Hashem
Gilman 288
Fall 2024
An exploration of historical and contemporary work on the metaphysics of essence, and related questions about modality, explanation, identity and the Principle of Sufficient Reason. Readings will include work from Aristotle, Avicenna, Spinoza, Kripke, and Fine.
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Essence AS.150.468 (01)
An exploration of historical and contemporary work on the metaphysics of essence, and related questions about modality, explanation, identity and the Principle of Sufficient Reason. Readings will include work from Aristotle, Avicenna, Spinoza, Kripke, and Fine.
A reading of some of the classic philosophical works in 20th Century Analytic Philosophy, beginning with G. Frege and ending with W.V.O. Quine.
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Classics of Analytic Philosophy AS.150.473 (01)
A reading of some of the classic philosophical works in 20th Century Analytic Philosophy, beginning with G. Frege and ending with W.V.O. Quine.
Days/Times: Th 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Williams, Michael
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 14/15
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.150.482 (01)
Food Ethics
T 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Barnhill, Anne
Maryland 201
Fall 2024
Eating is an essential human activity: we need to eat to survive. But how should we eat? In this course, we consider such ethical questions as: Is it morally wrong to make animals suffer and to kill them in order to eat them? What is the extent of hunger and food insecurity, in this country and globally, and what should we as individuals do about it? Should the government try to influence our food choices, to make them healthier?
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Food Ethics AS.150.482 (01)
Eating is an essential human activity: we need to eat to survive. But how should we eat? In this course, we consider such ethical questions as: Is it morally wrong to make animals suffer and to kill them in order to eat them? What is the extent of hunger and food insecurity, in this country and globally, and what should we as individuals do about it? Should the government try to influence our food choices, to make them healthier?
A review of literature in Greek drama and virtue ethics on achieving human flourishing. Recommended Course Background: At least one course in Philosophy.
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Being Human AS.150.494 (01)
A review of literature in Greek drama and virtue ethics on achieving human flourishing. Recommended Course Background: At least one course in Philosophy.
Days/Times: MW 4:30PM - 5:45PM
Instructor: Lebron, Christopher Joseph
Room: Gilman 413
Status: Reserved Open
Seats Available: 6/15
PosTag(s): PHIL-ANCIEN, PHIL-ETHICS
AS.211.265 (01)
Panorama of German Thought
TTh 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Egginton, William
Hodson 315
Fall 2024
This course will survey German ideas—in philosophy, social and political theory, and drama—since the Enlightenment. Authors include Kant, Schiller, Lessing, Goethe, Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche, Weber, Horkheimer, and Adorno.
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Panorama of German Thought AS.211.265 (01)
This course will survey German ideas—in philosophy, social and political theory, and drama—since the Enlightenment. Authors include Kant, Schiller, Lessing, Goethe, Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche, Weber, Horkheimer, and Adorno.
This course considers the importance of philosophical, literary, aesthetic, and other humanist approaches to ecology and environmental issues.
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Environmental Humanities AS.213.363 (01)
This course considers the importance of philosophical, literary, aesthetic, and other humanist approaches to ecology and environmental issues.
Days/Times: W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Gosetti, Jennifer Anna
Room: Gilman 479
Status: Open
Seats Available: 12/20
PosTag(s): ENVS-MAJOR, ENVS-MINOR
AS.300.399 (01)
Cinema and Philosophy
MW 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Marrati, Paola
Gilman 208
Fall 2024
What do films and philosophy have in common? Do films express, with their own means, philosophical problems that are relevant to our experience of ourselves and the world we live in? This term we will study such issues with a particular focus on questions of justice, truth, revenge, forgiveness, hope, hate, and fear.
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Cinema and Philosophy AS.300.399 (01)
What do films and philosophy have in common? Do films express, with their own means, philosophical problems that are relevant to our experience of ourselves and the world we live in? This term we will study such issues with a particular focus on questions of justice, truth, revenge, forgiveness, hope, hate, and fear.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Instructor: Marrati, Paola
Room: Gilman 208
Status: Open
Seats Available: 9/25
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.150.118 (01)
Introduction to Formal Logic
MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Achinstein, Peter
Gilman 50
Spring 2025
An introduction to symbolic logic and probability. In the first two parts of the course we study formal ways of determining whether a conclusion of an argument follows from its premises. Included are truth-functional logic and predicate logic. In the third part we study the basic rules of probability, and learn how to make probability calculations and decisions in life.
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Introduction to Formal Logic AS.150.118 (01)
An introduction to symbolic logic and probability. In the first two parts of the course we study formal ways of determining whether a conclusion of an argument follows from its premises. Included are truth-functional logic and predicate logic. In the third part we study the basic rules of probability, and learn how to make probability calculations and decisions in life.
Days/Times: MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Instructor: Achinstein, Peter
Room: Gilman 50
Status: Open
Seats Available: 3/20
PosTag(s): PHIL-LOGSCI, COGS-PHLMND
AS.150.118 (02)
Introduction to Formal Logic
MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Achinstein, Peter
Gilman 50
Spring 2025
An introduction to symbolic logic and probability. In the first two parts of the course we study formal ways of determining whether a conclusion of an argument follows from its premises. Included are truth-functional logic and predicate logic. In the third part we study the basic rules of probability, and learn how to make probability calculations and decisions in life.
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Introduction to Formal Logic AS.150.118 (02)
An introduction to symbolic logic and probability. In the first two parts of the course we study formal ways of determining whether a conclusion of an argument follows from its premises. Included are truth-functional logic and predicate logic. In the third part we study the basic rules of probability, and learn how to make probability calculations and decisions in life.
Days/Times: MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Instructor: Achinstein, Peter
Room: Gilman 50
Status: Open
Seats Available: 8/20
PosTag(s): PHIL-LOGSCI, COGS-PHLMND
AS.150.118 (03)
Introduction to Formal Logic
MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Achinstein, Peter
Gilman 50
Spring 2025
An introduction to symbolic logic and probability. In the first two parts of the course we study formal ways of determining whether a conclusion of an argument follows from its premises. Included are truth-functional logic and predicate logic. In the third part we study the basic rules of probability, and learn how to make probability calculations and decisions in life.
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Introduction to Formal Logic AS.150.118 (03)
An introduction to symbolic logic and probability. In the first two parts of the course we study formal ways of determining whether a conclusion of an argument follows from its premises. Included are truth-functional logic and predicate logic. In the third part we study the basic rules of probability, and learn how to make probability calculations and decisions in life.
Days/Times: MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Instructor: Achinstein, Peter
Room: Gilman 50
Status: Open
Seats Available: 2/20
PosTag(s): PHIL-LOGSCI, COGS-PHLMND
AS.150.141 (01)
Introduction to the History of Chinese Philosophy
MW 9:00AM - 9:50AM, F 9:00AM - 9:50AM
Dong, Hao
Gilman 50
Spring 2025
This is a survey of the main philosophers and philosophical schools in China from the classical age to the early modern age. Special focus is given to three historical periods: the pre-Qin era, the Wei-Jin era, and the Song-Ming era. We will see how Chinese philosophers tackled important questions such as what the world is like, are human beings special, how we should live our lives, and how we should construct a political community. Some of the philosophers surveyed are Confucius (Kongzi), Laozi, Mencius (Mengzi), Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Guo Xiang, Zhu Xi, and Wang Yangming..
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Introduction to the History of Chinese Philosophy AS.150.141 (01)
This is a survey of the main philosophers and philosophical schools in China from the classical age to the early modern age. Special focus is given to three historical periods: the pre-Qin era, the Wei-Jin era, and the Song-Ming era. We will see how Chinese philosophers tackled important questions such as what the world is like, are human beings special, how we should live our lives, and how we should construct a political community. Some of the philosophers surveyed are Confucius (Kongzi), Laozi, Mencius (Mengzi), Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Guo Xiang, Zhu Xi, and Wang Yangming..
Days/Times: MW 9:00AM - 9:50AM, F 9:00AM - 9:50AM
Instructor: Dong, Hao
Room: Gilman 50
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/21
PosTag(s): PHIL-ANCIEN, ARCH-RELATE
AS.150.141 (02)
Introduction to the History of Chinese Philosophy
MW 9:00AM - 9:50AM, F 10:00AM - 10:50AM
Dong, Hao
Gilman 50
Spring 2025
This is a survey of the main philosophers and philosophical schools in China from the classical age to the early modern age. Special focus is given to three historical periods: the pre-Qin era, the Wei-Jin era, and the Song-Ming era. We will see how Chinese philosophers tackled important questions such as what the world is like, are human beings special, how we should live our lives, and how we should construct a political community. Some of the philosophers surveyed are Confucius (Kongzi), Laozi, Mencius (Mengzi), Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Guo Xiang, Zhu Xi, and Wang Yangming..
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Introduction to the History of Chinese Philosophy AS.150.141 (02)
This is a survey of the main philosophers and philosophical schools in China from the classical age to the early modern age. Special focus is given to three historical periods: the pre-Qin era, the Wei-Jin era, and the Song-Ming era. We will see how Chinese philosophers tackled important questions such as what the world is like, are human beings special, how we should live our lives, and how we should construct a political community. Some of the philosophers surveyed are Confucius (Kongzi), Laozi, Mencius (Mengzi), Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Guo Xiang, Zhu Xi, and Wang Yangming..
Days/Times: MW 9:00AM - 9:50AM, F 10:00AM - 10:50AM
Instructor: Dong, Hao
Room: Gilman 50
Status: Open
Seats Available: 10/15
PosTag(s): PHIL-ANCIEN, ARCH-RELATE
AS.150.205 (01)
Introduction to the History of Modern Philosophy
MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
Connolly, Patrick
Hodson 203
Spring 2025
An overview of philosophical thought in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. We shall focus on fundamental questions in epistemology (knowledge, how we acquire it, its scope and limits), metaphysics (the ultimate nature of reality, the relation of mind and body, free will), and theology (the existence and nature of God, God’s relation to the world, whether knowledge of such things is possible): all questions that arose in dramatic ways as a result of the rise of modern science. The principal philosophers to be discussed are Descartes, Locke, Hume and Kant, though we shall also make the acquaintance of Spinoza, Leibniz and Berkeley.
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Introduction to the History of Modern Philosophy AS.150.205 (01)
An overview of philosophical thought in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. We shall focus on fundamental questions in epistemology (knowledge, how we acquire it, its scope and limits), metaphysics (the ultimate nature of reality, the relation of mind and body, free will), and theology (the existence and nature of God, God’s relation to the world, whether knowledge of such things is possible): all questions that arose in dramatic ways as a result of the rise of modern science. The principal philosophers to be discussed are Descartes, Locke, Hume and Kant, though we shall also make the acquaintance of Spinoza, Leibniz and Berkeley.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
An overview of philosophical thought in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. We shall focus on fundamental questions in epistemology (knowledge, how we acquire it, its scope and limits), metaphysics (the ultimate nature of reality, the relation of mind and body, free will), and theology (the existence and nature of God, God’s relation to the world, whether knowledge of such things is possible): all questions that arose in dramatic ways as a result of the rise of modern science. The principal philosophers to be discussed are Descartes, Locke, Hume and Kant, though we shall also make the acquaintance of Spinoza, Leibniz and Berkeley.
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Introduction to the History of Modern Philosophy AS.150.205 (02)
An overview of philosophical thought in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. We shall focus on fundamental questions in epistemology (knowledge, how we acquire it, its scope and limits), metaphysics (the ultimate nature of reality, the relation of mind and body, free will), and theology (the existence and nature of God, God’s relation to the world, whether knowledge of such things is possible): all questions that arose in dramatic ways as a result of the rise of modern science. The principal philosophers to be discussed are Descartes, Locke, Hume and Kant, though we shall also make the acquaintance of Spinoza, Leibniz and Berkeley.
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 12:50PM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
An introduction to moral philosophy through in-depth and critical reading of selected texts from the history of philosophy. The philosophers whose texts will be discussed include Aristotle, Kant, Mill, and Hannah Arendt.
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Introduction to Moral Philosophy AS.150.220 (01)
An introduction to moral philosophy through in-depth and critical reading of selected texts from the history of philosophy. The philosophers whose texts will be discussed include Aristotle, Kant, Mill, and Hannah Arendt.
Days/Times: MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 10:00AM - 10:50AM
Instructor: Velleman, James David
Room: Hodson 210
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/20
PosTag(s): CES-ELECT, AGRI-ELECT, PHIL-ETHICS
AS.150.220 (02)
Introduction to Moral Philosophy
MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 10:00AM - 10:50AM
Velleman, James David
Hodson 210
Spring 2025
An introduction to moral philosophy through in-depth and critical reading of selected texts from the history of philosophy. The philosophers whose texts will be discussed include Aristotle, Kant, Mill, and Hannah Arendt.
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Introduction to Moral Philosophy AS.150.220 (02)
An introduction to moral philosophy through in-depth and critical reading of selected texts from the history of philosophy. The philosophers whose texts will be discussed include Aristotle, Kant, Mill, and Hannah Arendt.
Days/Times: MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 10:00AM - 10:50AM
Instructor: Velleman, James David
Room: Hodson 210
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/20
PosTag(s): CES-ELECT, AGRI-ELECT, PHIL-ETHICS
AS.150.220 (03)
Introduction to Moral Philosophy
MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Velleman, James David
Hodson 210
Spring 2025
An introduction to moral philosophy through in-depth and critical reading of selected texts from the history of philosophy. The philosophers whose texts will be discussed include Aristotle, Kant, Mill, and Hannah Arendt.
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Introduction to Moral Philosophy AS.150.220 (03)
An introduction to moral philosophy through in-depth and critical reading of selected texts from the history of philosophy. The philosophers whose texts will be discussed include Aristotle, Kant, Mill, and Hannah Arendt.
Days/Times: MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Instructor: Velleman, James David
Room: Hodson 210
Status: Open
Seats Available: 3/15
PosTag(s): CES-ELECT, AGRI-ELECT, PHIL-ETHICS
AS.150.220 (04)
Introduction to Moral Philosophy
MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Velleman, James David
Hodson 210
Spring 2025
An introduction to moral philosophy through in-depth and critical reading of selected texts from the history of philosophy. The philosophers whose texts will be discussed include Aristotle, Kant, Mill, and Hannah Arendt.
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Introduction to Moral Philosophy AS.150.220 (04)
An introduction to moral philosophy through in-depth and critical reading of selected texts from the history of philosophy. The philosophers whose texts will be discussed include Aristotle, Kant, Mill, and Hannah Arendt.
Days/Times: MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Instructor: Velleman, James David
Room: Hodson 210
Status: Open
Seats Available: 2/15
PosTag(s): CES-ELECT, AGRI-ELECT, PHIL-ETHICS
AS.150.240 (01)
Introduction to Political Philosophy
MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
Lebron, Christopher Joseph
Hodson 216
Spring 2025
This course begins by reviewing canonical texts in modern political philosophy beginning with Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and ends by exploring classic questions in contemporary debates in race, gender, and identity.
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Introduction to Political Philosophy AS.150.240 (01)
This course begins by reviewing canonical texts in modern political philosophy beginning with Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and ends by exploring classic questions in contemporary debates in race, gender, and identity.
Days/Times: MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 11:00AM - 11:50AM
This course begins by reviewing canonical texts in modern political philosophy beginning with Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and ends by exploring classic questions in contemporary debates in race, gender, and identity.
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Introduction to Political Philosophy AS.150.240 (02)
This course begins by reviewing canonical texts in modern political philosophy beginning with Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and ends by exploring classic questions in contemporary debates in race, gender, and identity.
Days/Times: MW 11:00AM - 11:50AM, F 12:00PM - 12:50PM
Prometheus is Johns Hopkins' undergraduate philosophical society. The society organizes a conference and publishes a journal each year and more generally provides a community for philosophically-minded students. The Prometheus workshop facilitates this through open philosophical discussion; interaction with faculty, graduate students, and other members of the Philosophy Department; and other activities. For more information, please visit . Prerequisite: MUST have taken one philosophy course
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Prometheus Workshop AS.150.300 (01)
Prometheus is Johns Hopkins' undergraduate philosophical society. The society organizes a conference and publishes a journal each year and more generally provides a community for philosophically-minded students. The Prometheus workshop facilitates this through open philosophical discussion; interaction with faculty, graduate students, and other members of the Philosophy Department; and other activities. For more information, please visit . Prerequisite: MUST have taken one philosophy course
Days/Times: T 7:00PM - 8:00PM
Instructor: Taylor, Elanor Jane
Room: Gilman 288
Status: Open
Seats Available: 1/15
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.150.301 (03)
Majors Seminar: John Locke
MW 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Connolly, Patrick
Spring 2025
This course is an overview of John Locke’s epistemological and metaphysical thought with particular focus on his famous Essay Concerning Human Understanding. We will focus on his treatment of classic philosophical topics such as perception, knowledge, belief, substance, quality, identity, natural kinds, and language. A key overarching question will relate to the question of whether or not Locke’s views form a coherent systematic whole. And special efforts will be made to situate Locke with respect to his philosophical predecessors and successors.
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Majors Seminar: John Locke AS.150.301 (03)
This course is an overview of John Locke’s epistemological and metaphysical thought with particular focus on his famous Essay Concerning Human Understanding. We will focus on his treatment of classic philosophical topics such as perception, knowledge, belief, substance, quality, identity, natural kinds, and language. A key overarching question will relate to the question of whether or not Locke’s views form a coherent systematic whole. And special efforts will be made to situate Locke with respect to his philosophical predecessors and successors.
Days/Times: MW 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Instructor: Connolly, Patrick
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 14/15
PosTag(s): PHIL-MODERN, PHIL-SEM
AS.150.330 (01)
Decisions, Games & Social Choice
TTh 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Bledin, Justin
Hodson 315
Spring 2025
We investigate rational decision-making at the individual and group level. The first part of this course covers decision theory, which is concerned with how agents should act in different situations given their knowledge (or lack thereof) about the world and their particular risk profiles. The second part focuses on game theory, exploring different kinds of competitive and cooperative strategic interactions between rational agents and defining different solution concepts for these games. The final part of the course covers social choice theory, which is concerned with decision-making at the society-wide scale and addresses famous impossibility results by Arrow and Sen.
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Decisions, Games & Social Choice AS.150.330 (01)
We investigate rational decision-making at the individual and group level. The first part of this course covers decision theory, which is concerned with how agents should act in different situations given their knowledge (or lack thereof) about the world and their particular risk profiles. The second part focuses on game theory, exploring different kinds of competitive and cooperative strategic interactions between rational agents and defining different solution concepts for these games. The final part of the course covers social choice theory, which is concerned with decision-making at the society-wide scale and addresses famous impossibility results by Arrow and Sen.
Days/Times: TTh 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Instructor: Bledin, Justin
Room: Hodson 315
Status: Open
Seats Available: 10/25
PosTag(s): PHIL-MIND, PHIL-LOGSCI, MSCH-HUM
AS.150.334 (01)
He Said, She Said: Topics in Feminist Philosophy of Language
T 4:15PM - 6:45PM
Staff
Gilman 377
Spring 2025
Feminist Philosophy of Language began as a critical movement that called for changes within language to reflect the goals of the early Feminist movement. These critiques were aimed both at the discipline of Philosophy of Language and at language itself. In the late 20th century, a second branch of Feminist Philosophy of Language emerged and has since grown considerably. This branch contains a range of emancipatory projects that adopt the tools, frameworks, and concepts developed in the Philosophy of Language to address oppressive features of our world. Emancipatory projects in Feminist Philosophy of Language are broadly concerned with the identification of speech related harms, the clarification of linguistic devices and mechanisms that constitute modes of oppression, and the development of theory that aids in the resistance of oppression in ordinary language context. This course will focus on this recent branch of Feminist Philosophy of Language and the emancipatory projects it contains. In this course students will be introduced to the central Pragmatic theories in Philosophy of Language which underpin emancipatory projects in Feminist Philosophy of Language. Using these theories as a foundation, this course will be cover to topics such as practices of silencing, hate speech and slurs, political and propagandistic rhetoric, sexual consent, and oppressive speech.
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He Said, She Said: Topics in Feminist Philosophy of Language AS.150.334 (01)
Feminist Philosophy of Language began as a critical movement that called for changes within language to reflect the goals of the early Feminist movement. These critiques were aimed both at the discipline of Philosophy of Language and at language itself. In the late 20th century, a second branch of Feminist Philosophy of Language emerged and has since grown considerably. This branch contains a range of emancipatory projects that adopt the tools, frameworks, and concepts developed in the Philosophy of Language to address oppressive features of our world. Emancipatory projects in Feminist Philosophy of Language are broadly concerned with the identification of speech related harms, the clarification of linguistic devices and mechanisms that constitute modes of oppression, and the development of theory that aids in the resistance of oppression in ordinary language context. This course will focus on this recent branch of Feminist Philosophy of Language and the emancipatory projects it contains. In this course students will be introduced to the central Pragmatic theories in Philosophy of Language which underpin emancipatory projects in Feminist Philosophy of Language. Using these theories as a foundation, this course will be cover to topics such as practices of silencing, hate speech and slurs, political and propagandistic rhetoric, sexual consent, and oppressive speech.
Days/Times: T 4:15PM - 6:45PM
Instructor: Staff
Room: Gilman 377
Status: Open
Seats Available: 10/18
PosTag(s): PHIL-MIND, PHIL-ETHICS
AS.150.376 (01)
Philosophy of Perception
TTh 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Green, E. J.
Croft Hall B32
Spring 2025
A discussion of central issues in the philosophy of perception, including but not limited to: Do we perceive external objects directly? What is the distinction between seeing and thinking? How do we distinguish the various sense modalities (vision, hearing, touch, etc.)?
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Philosophy of Perception AS.150.376 (01)
A discussion of central issues in the philosophy of perception, including but not limited to: Do we perceive external objects directly? What is the distinction between seeing and thinking? How do we distinguish the various sense modalities (vision, hearing, touch, etc.)?
Days/Times: TTh 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Instructor: Green, E. J.
Room: Croft Hall B32
Status: Open
Seats Available: 2/30
PosTag(s): COGS-PHLMND, PHIL-MIND, MSCH-HUM
AS.150.417 (01)
Kant's 'Critique Of Pure Reason'
Th 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Kraus, Katharina
Gilman 288
Spring 2025
An examination of the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, with emphasis on The Critique of Pure Reason.
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Kant's 'Critique Of Pure Reason' AS.150.417 (01)
An examination of the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, with emphasis on The Critique of Pure Reason.
Days/Times: Th 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Kraus, Katharina
Room: Gilman 288
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/15
PosTag(s): PHIL-MODERN
AS.150.426 (01)
Philosophy and Disability
M 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Bok, Hilary
Gilman 217
Spring 2025
In this course, we will consider various philosophical issues related to disability. What counts as a disability? What obligations do we have, both as individuals and as a society, to people with disabilities? What counts as respecting people with disabilities, and what counts as unjustifiable discrimination against them?
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Philosophy and Disability AS.150.426 (01)
In this course, we will consider various philosophical issues related to disability. What counts as a disability? What obligations do we have, both as individuals and as a society, to people with disabilities? What counts as respecting people with disabilities, and what counts as unjustifiable discrimination against them?
The course is an in-depth study of Spinoza’s Theological-Political Treatise. Among the topics to be discussed are: Spinoza’s Bible criticism, the nature of religion, philosophy and faith, the nature of the ancient Hebrew State, Spinoza’s theory of the State, the role of religion in Spinoza’s political theory, the freedom to philosophize, the metaphysics of Spinoza’s Theological-Political Treatise, and finally, the reception of the TTP.
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Spinoza’s Theological Political Treatise AS.150.428 (01)
The course is an in-depth study of Spinoza’s Theological-Political Treatise. Among the topics to be discussed are: Spinoza’s Bible criticism, the nature of religion, philosophy and faith, the nature of the ancient Hebrew State, Spinoza’s theory of the State, the role of religion in Spinoza’s political theory, the freedom to philosophize, the metaphysics of Spinoza’s Theological-Political Treatise, and finally, the reception of the TTP.
Days/Times: W 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Instructor: Melamed, Yitzhak Yohanan
Room: Gilman 288
Status: Reserved Open
Seats Available: 2/15
PosTag(s): PHIL-MODERN
AS.150.452 (01)
Freedom of Will & Moral Responsibility
W 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Bok, Hilary
Gilman 277
Spring 2025
What are freedom of the will and moral responsibility? Are they compatible with determinism or naturalism? This course will examine various philosophers' answers to these questions.
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Freedom of Will & Moral Responsibility AS.150.452 (01)
What are freedom of the will and moral responsibility? Are they compatible with determinism or naturalism? This course will examine various philosophers' answers to these questions.
Days/Times: W 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Instructor: Bok, Hilary
Room: Gilman 277
Status: Reserved Open
Seats Available: 8/15
PosTag(s): PHIL-ETHICS
AS.150.471 (01)
Philosophy and AI
T 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Gross, Steven
Gilman 288
Spring 2025
This course explores philosophical issues raised by developments in Artificial Intelligence. For example, can a machine be conscious? (What is consciousness?) Who is responsible for a bad decision made by AI? What light, if any, do developments in AI shed on age-old debates about nature vs. nurture?
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Philosophy and AI AS.150.471 (01)
This course explores philosophical issues raised by developments in Artificial Intelligence. For example, can a machine be conscious? (What is consciousness?) Who is responsible for a bad decision made by AI? What light, if any, do developments in AI shed on age-old debates about nature vs. nurture?
In this class, we will investigate many aspects of the ethics of making babies, asking not only which children we should create and how we should create them, but whether we should make any more people at all. Investigating these questions will take us through large chunks of moral theory, bioethics, and public health ethics. For more information, or to request permission of the instructor (for those who do not meet the prerequisite requirements), email Travis Rieder at [email protected].
Recommended Course Background: One course in ethics or bioethics, or permission of the instructor.
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The Ethics of Making Babies AS.150.479 (01)
In this class, we will investigate many aspects of the ethics of making babies, asking not only which children we should create and how we should create them, but whether we should make any more people at all. Investigating these questions will take us through large chunks of moral theory, bioethics, and public health ethics. For more information, or to request permission of the instructor (for those who do not meet the prerequisite requirements), email Travis Rieder at [email protected].
Recommended Course Background: One course in ethics or bioethics, or permission of the instructor.
Days/Times: F 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Rieder, Travis N
Room: Gilman 381
Status: Waitlist Only
Seats Available: 0/15
PosTag(s): PHIL-ETHICS, PHIL-BIOETH, MSCH-HUM
AS.150.495 (01)
Moral Repair
M 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Wonderly, Monique Lisa
Hodson 313
Spring 2025
In this course, we will examine various philosophical views concerning the nature and ethics of moral repair. We will consider questions such as: Under what conditions might one count as being redeemed for a moral wrongdoing? What does it mean to forgive? Are we ever morally required to forgive or to withhold forgiveness? When, and to what extent, does disappointed trust warrant feelings of distrust and/or betrayal?
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Moral Repair AS.150.495 (01)
In this course, we will examine various philosophical views concerning the nature and ethics of moral repair. We will consider questions such as: Under what conditions might one count as being redeemed for a moral wrongdoing? What does it mean to forgive? Are we ever morally required to forgive or to withhold forgiveness? When, and to what extent, does disappointed trust warrant feelings of distrust and/or betrayal?