Philosophy

• GRS PH 663: Philosophy of Language
  The most representative problem areas in contemporary philosophy of language are discussed, criticized, and put into a new perspective. They include Frege's sense-reference theory, quantification and anaphora, theory of truth, the semantics of intentional and epistemic concepts, strategic aspects of language use, identification and individuation, metaphor, demonstratives and indexical, discourse and dialogue theory, and selected language disturbances (dyslexia, autism).
• GRS PH 665: Philosophy of Cognitive Science
  Can humans be thought of in analogy with machines? The course examines questions of natural and artificial intelligence in light of traditional theory and of recent research in computer science and artificial intelligence.
• GRS PH 668: Philosophical Problems of Logic and Mathematics
  Selected traditional metaphysical and epistemological problems in the light of modern logic and various studies in the foundations of mathematics, including the nature of axiomatic method, completeness in logic and mathematics, and the nature of mathematical truth.
• GRS PH 670: Philosophy of Physics
  Philosophical problems concerning the interpretation of physical discoveries. Elementary particles, the anomalies of quantum mechanics, some modern problems of space and time, and the problem of wholes and parts.
• GRS PH 672: Philosophy of Biology
  Conceptual problems in biology; unity or pluralism of science; hierarchy theory; biological explanation; evolutionary theory, teleology and causality, statistical explanation; the species problem; mind and the brain; and language in animals and humans.
• GRS PH 680: Topics in Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
  
• GRS PH 681: Topics in the Philosophy of Law
  A critical study of theories about legal interpretation, based on the conventional meaning of the text, the lawmakers' intentions, and the principles that best justify the laws, with an emphasis on the philosophical underpinnings and implications of each theory.
• GRS PH 682: Topics in Modern and Contemporary Philosophy
  Topics vary from semester to semester; may be repeated for credit as topics change. Topic for Spring 2013: Heidegger. A careful reading of Heidegger's major work, Being and Time. The end of the course looks at some of Heidegger's shorter works written later in his career, in order to consider some of the directions of his famous "turn."
• GRS PH 683: Topics in the Philosophy of Religion
  Focus on a specific topic in the philosophy of religion. Topic for Fall 2010: Problem of Evil. A philosophical and theological analysis of the problem of evil, as formulated in the Bible and other sacred texts, ancient and modern philosophy, literature, and cinema. Also offered as GRS RN 743.
• GRS PH 684: Topics in Speculative Philosophy
  Topics for Fall 2007: A study of the metaphysics of being, God, time, eternity,nature and value through the works of Robert Neville (the instructor) and dialectical neighbors.
• GRS PH 685: Topics in Philosophy of Value
  
• GRS PH 686: Topics in Knowledge, Language, and Logic
  
• GRS PH 687: Topics in the Philosophy of Science
  A discussion-based introduction to core issues in the philosophy of science, focusing on the topics of scientific realism, theory change, reductionism, explanation, models, and natural kinds.
• GRS PH 688: Topics in Aesthetics
  Consideration of selected topics in aesthetics, with particular attention to the relationship between aesthetic experience and analytical accounts of the experience; topics include expression, perception, qualities, the good, the ideal, and the sublime.
• GRS PH 699: Teaching College Philosophy I
  The goals, contents, and methods of instruction in philosophy. General teaching-learning issues. Required of all teaching fellows.
• GRS PH 801: Ancient Philosophy I
  Plato's Symposium and Phaedrus. The general theme of this seminar is Plato's account of eros. We begin with a careful study of Plato's Symposium, and if time allows, turn to the Phaedrus as well. Emphasis is placed on the significance of the dialogue form in the interpretation of Plato.
• GRS PH 802: Ancient Philosophy II
  
• GRS PH 805: Modern Phil
  
• GRS PH 811: Topics in the Philosophy of Kant I
  
• GRS PH 812: Kant 2
  

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