Graduate Program

Spring Term Schedule

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Spring 2023

Number	Title	Instructor	Time
PHIL 415-1 Intermediate Logic Paul Audi MW 11:50AM - 1:05PM
Whereas in a standard introductory logic course, students learn how to do proofs within a formal logical system, in this course, students learn how to do proofs about formal logical systems. The main goal is to learn how to prove the soundness and completeness of different sorts of logical systems. Along the way, other important results in Proof Theory and Model Theory are considered. Location Harkness Room 210 (MW 11:50AM - 1:05PM)
PHIL 420-1 Recent Ethical Theory Earl Conee TR 4:50PM - 6:05PM
In this course we investigate critically three approaches to morality: consequentialism, virtue theory, and Kantian ethics. We also look into philosophical work on the questions of whether there are insoluble moral dilemmas and whether moral evaluations are necessitated by some empirical facts. Location Lattimore Room 210 (TR 4:50PM - 6:05PM)
PHIL 426-1 Philosophy of Law James Otis TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM
In recent years, the U.S. legal system has been beset by claims of overcriminalization, racially discriminatory enforcement, and inadequate or unequal protection of individual civil rights. What should we make of these claims, and what, if anything, would be implied by their truth? In seeking to answer these questions, this course will examine the nature of the law and its enforcement. We will begin by discussing the issue of criminalization and whether the expansion of the criminal law is or is not problematic. From there, we will turn to the foundational questions of what, precisely, the law is, and what its connection to morality is or should be. Are we obligated to obey the law, and if so, why? Finally, we will ask whether it is possible for the law to remain neutral with regards to morality and politics, and whether the supposed “neutrality” of the law may itself be an instrument of oppression. If the legal system lacks the kind of neutrality that many legal theorists claim for it, what (if anything) does that license us (as citizens) to do? (Offered every spring) Location Bausch & Lomb Room 106 (TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM)
PHIL 435-1 Data, Algorithms, Justice Jonathan Herington MW 11:50AM - 1:05PM
This course focuses on a number of questions that arise in the design, development and deployment of machine learning algorithms. Topics include: Bias in algorithms (e.g., how should we measure unfairness in algorithms that determine who gets bail, parole, a job, or a loan? What about bias in health analytics?) Values disagreement and algorithms (e.g., how should self-driving cars or diagnostic algorithms make decisions, given that we disagree about the good?) Algorithms, social media, and public life (e.g., what is the impact of social media algorithms on public discourse and the future of democracy?) Algorithms and the future of work (e.g., how should we structure our society when many basic tasks will be performed by machines? How should we distribute the benefits of machine productivity?) Location Hylan Building Room 202 (MW 11:50AM - 1:05PM)
PHIL 450-1 Philosophy of Action Lawrence Philpot MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM
An avalanche barrels down a mountainside; a demolition expert lights the dynamite: In both cases a building is destroyed; but in one case, this destruction merely happens, and in the other, it is done—an action is performed. In this course we'll try to understand what's distinctive of action, especially human action or agency. We'll examine concepts such as intention, reason for action, desire, practical knowledge, and free will. Topics may include: What kind of aiming, directedness, or intention is required for action? How are actions motivated? What is the relationship between practical knowledge and moral action? How can we explain failures of agency, like weakness of will? What is it to act freely? Location Lechase Room 163 (MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM)
PHIL 452-1 Philosophy of Science Mark Povich TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM
A survey of philosophical issues concerning the nature, scope, and practice of the sciences. Some questions explored are about science very generally: Must the entities posited by a scientific theory exist for it to be successful? Do laws of nature govern the world or simply articulate patterns? How are lower and higher level scientific theories related to one another? Is scientific explanation primarily concerned with laws, with causes, or with something else? Other questions concern particular sciences like physics, biology, and neuroscience. Location Gavett Hall Room 202 (TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM)
PHIL 491-1 Master's Readings in PHL Paul Audi –
Independent study
PHIL 491-2 Master's Readings in PHL Paul Audi –
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PHIL 491-3 Master's Readings in PHL Alison Peterman –
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PHIL 495-1 Master's Thesis Research Paul Audi –
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PHIL 516-1 Sel Top PHL of Language Jens Kipper W 2:00PM - 4:40PM
This seminar is devoted to current issues in philosophy of language. Recent topics have included possible worlds, relativism, truth, propositions, deontic and epistemic modality. Location Lattimore Room 531 (W 2:00PM - 4:40PM)
PHIL 517-1 Sel Top in Ethics: Meaning, Motivation and the Good Randall Curren T 2:00PM - 4:40PM
Critical exploration of work in contemporary metaethics and normative ethical theory and its applications. Location Lattimore Room 531 (T 2:00PM - 4:40PM)
PHIL 560-1 Writing Seminar Paul Audi –
Study of recent articles; writing short commentaries, replies, criticisms. Covers various topics under guidance of several faculty members.
PHIL 560-2 Philosophical Writing Earl Conee –
Study of recent articles; writing short commentaries, replies, criticisms. Covers various topics under guidance of several faculty members.
PHIL 560-3 Philosophical Writing Alison Peterman –
Study of recent articles; writing short commentaries, replies, criticisms. Covers various topics under guidance of several faculty members.
PHIL 560-4 Philosophical Writing Richard Feldman –
Study of recent articles; writing short commentaries, replies, criticisms. Covers various topics under guidance of several faculty members.
PHIL 581-1 Supervise Instruct:Lec to Un Randall Curren –
Continuation of PHL 580, with practice lecturing to the undergraduate classes.
PHIL 581-2 Supervise Instruct:Lec to Undg Paul Audi MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM
Continuation of PHL 580, with practice lecturing to the undergraduate classes. Location (MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM)
PHIL 581-3 Supervise Instruct:Lec to Undg William FitzPatrick –
Continuation of PHL 580, with practice lecturing to the undergraduate classes.
PHIL 591-1 PhD Readings in PHL Paul Audi –
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PHIL 591-10 PhD Readings in PHL Rosa Terlazzo –
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PHIL 591-11 PhD Readings in PHL Mark Povich –
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PHIL 591-2 PhD Readings in PHL Earl Conee –
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PHIL 591-3 PhD Readings in PHL Randall Curren –
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PHIL 591-4 PhD Readings in PHL Richard Dees –
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PHIL 591-5 PhD Readings in PHL Richard Feldman –
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PHIL 591-6 PhD Readings in PHL William FitzPatrick –
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PHIL 591-7 PhD Readings in PHL Jens Kipper –
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PHIL 591-8 PhD Readings in PHL Alison Peterman –
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PHIL 591-9 PhD Readings in PHL Zeynep Soysal –
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PHIL 595-1 PhD Research in PHL Paul Audi –
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PHIL 595-10 PhD Research in PHL Rosa Terlazzo –
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PHIL 595-11 PhD Research in PHL Mark Povich –
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PHIL 595-2 PhD Research in PHL Earl Conee –
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PHIL 595-3 PhD Research in PHL Randall Curren –
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PHIL 595-4 PhD Research in PHL Richard Dees –
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PHIL 595-5 PhD Research in PHL Richard Feldman –
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PHIL 595-6 PhD Research in PHL William FitzPatrick –
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PHIL 595-7 PhD Research in PHL Jens Kipper –
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PHIL 595-8 PhD Research in PHL Alison Peterman –
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PHIL 595-9 PhD Research in PHL Zeynep Soysal –
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PHIL 595A-1 PhD Research in Absentia – –
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PHIL 897-1 Master's Dissertation Paul Audi –
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PHIL 995-1 Cont of Doctoral Enrollment Paul Audi –
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PHIL 995-2 Cont of Doctoral Enrollment Earl Conee –
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PHIL 995-3 Cont of Doctoral Enrollment William FitzPatrick –
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PHIL 997-1 Doctoral Dissertation Paul Audi –
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PHIL 997-2 Doctoral Dissertation Alison Peterman –
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PHIL 997A-1 Doct Dissertatn in Absentia Zeynep Soysal –
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PHIL 997A-2 Doct Dissertatn in Absentia – –
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PHIL 999-1 Doctoral Dissertation Paul Audi –
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PHIL 999-2 Doctoral Dissertation Alison Peterman –
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PHIL 999-3 Doctoral Dissertation Earl Conee –
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PHIL 999-4 Doctoral Dissertation William FitzPatrick –
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PHIL 999-5 Doctoral Dissertation Randall Curren –
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PHIL 999A-1 Doct Dissertatn in Absentia Richard Feldman –
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PHIL 999A-2 Doct Dissertatn in Absentia Zeynep Soysal –
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PHIL 999A-3 Doct Dissertatn in Absentia – –
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Number	Title	Instructor	Time
Monday and Wednesday
PHIL 450-1 Philosophy of Action Lawrence Philpot
An avalanche barrels down a mountainside; a demolition expert lights the dynamite: In both cases a building is destroyed; but in one case, this destruction merely happens, and in the other, it is done—an action is performed. In this course we'll try to understand what's distinctive of action, especially human action or agency. We'll examine concepts such as intention, reason for action, desire, practical knowledge, and free will. Topics may include: What kind of aiming, directedness, or intention is required for action? How are actions motivated? What is the relationship between practical knowledge and moral action? How can we explain failures of agency, like weakness of will? What is it to act freely?
PHIL 581-2 Supervise Instruct:Lec to Undg Paul Audi
Continuation of PHL 580, with practice lecturing to the undergraduate classes.
PHIL 415-1 Intermediate Logic Paul Audi
Whereas in a standard introductory logic course, students learn how to do proofs within a formal logical system, in this course, students learn how to do proofs about formal logical systems. The main goal is to learn how to prove the soundness and completeness of different sorts of logical systems. Along the way, other important results in Proof Theory and Model Theory are considered.
PHIL 435-1 Data, Algorithms, Justice Jonathan Herington
This course focuses on a number of questions that arise in the design, development and deployment of machine learning algorithms. Topics include: Bias in algorithms (e.g., how should we measure unfairness in algorithms that determine who gets bail, parole, a job, or a loan? What about bias in health analytics?) Values disagreement and algorithms (e.g., how should self-driving cars or diagnostic algorithms make decisions, given that we disagree about the good?) Algorithms, social media, and public life (e.g., what is the impact of social media algorithms on public discourse and the future of democracy?) Algorithms and the future of work (e.g., how should we structure our society when many basic tasks will be performed by machines? How should we distribute the benefits of machine productivity?)
Tuesday
PHIL 517-1 Sel Top in Ethics: Meaning, Motivation and the Good Randall Curren
Critical exploration of work in contemporary metaethics and normative ethical theory and its applications.
Tuesday and Thursday
PHIL 426-1 Philosophy of Law James Otis
In recent years, the U.S. legal system has been beset by claims of overcriminalization, racially discriminatory enforcement, and inadequate or unequal protection of individual civil rights. What should we make of these claims, and what, if anything, would be implied by their truth? In seeking to answer these questions, this course will examine the nature of the law and its enforcement. We will begin by discussing the issue of criminalization and whether the expansion of the criminal law is or is not problematic. From there, we will turn to the foundational questions of what, precisely, the law is, and what its connection to morality is or should be. Are we obligated to obey the law, and if so, why? Finally, we will ask whether it is possible for the law to remain neutral with regards to morality and politics, and whether the supposed “neutrality” of the law may itself be an instrument of oppression. If the legal system lacks the kind of neutrality that many legal theorists claim for it, what (if anything) does that license us (as citizens) to do? (Offered every spring)
PHIL 452-1 Philosophy of Science Mark Povich
A survey of philosophical issues concerning the nature, scope, and practice of the sciences. Some questions explored are about science very generally: Must the entities posited by a scientific theory exist for it to be successful? Do laws of nature govern the world or simply articulate patterns? How are lower and higher level scientific theories related to one another? Is scientific explanation primarily concerned with laws, with causes, or with something else? Other questions concern particular sciences like physics, biology, and neuroscience.
PHIL 420-1 Recent Ethical Theory Earl Conee
In this course we investigate critically three approaches to morality: consequentialism, virtue theory, and Kantian ethics. We also look into philosophical work on the questions of whether there are insoluble moral dilemmas and whether moral evaluations are necessitated by some empirical facts.
Wednesday
PHIL 516-1 Sel Top PHL of Language Jens Kipper
This seminar is devoted to current issues in philosophy of language. Recent topics have included possible worlds, relativism, truth, propositions, deontic and epistemic modality.
Thursday
Friday