Undergraduate Program

Graduate teaching assistantship in Philosophy.

Location

( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)

Philosophers ask questions about a vast variety of topics, including what really exists, what we can know, how we should live, how we should treat each other, whether there is a God or a life after this one, how can we have free choices, and what it means to be a human with a particular identity.  Philosophers seek answers to such questions by thinking carefully about them, using experience, reason and argumentation, and taking into account contributions of the sciences, literature, and other fields. This course will introduce students to some of the most interesting and exciting parts of philosophy.

Location

Meliora Room 221 (TR 4:50PM - 6:05PM)

This course is an introduction to basic issues in the philosophical investigation of ethics. Topics include general theories of the nature of right and wrong and theories of the functions of ethical language. Classes are in the lecture and question format. 

Location

Gavett Hall Room 202 (MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM)

An introduction to moral philosophy as applied to current topics. Some questions to be explored: What sorts of socioeconomic principles are morally justifiable? Does the history of racial injustice in the U.S. create a moral demand for reparations, and if so, what is the best argument for this? What is the relation, if any, between morality and religion? Do animals have moral rights? How should we understand the meaning and value of human life and death? Can abortion sometimes be justified, and if so, how? Is it okay to destroy embryos for stem cell research? Is active euthanasia ever permissible? Is capital punishment justifiable in principle? In practice? Is torture morally permissible in the fight against terrorism? How far does our moral duty to aid distant strangers extend? We will also explore related general questions: Is it always possible for a good enough end to justify bad means? Are there objective facts about right or wrong, or is morality ultimately relative to cultures or times? Are there situations in which every available action is wrong? Can we be morally assessed even for some things that are largely a matter of luck?

Location

Meliora Room 221 (TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM)

We will investigate broad models of argument and evidence from the interdisciplinary field of argumentation theory. Students will apply these models to specific academic and social contexts of their choice. Some questions we might ask are: Can argument or evidence be understood absent context? What do arguments in STEM fields have in common with those in the humanities? For instance, is there common ground in how we argue about English literature and how biologists argue about the natural world? How do audience and purpose in disciplines such as psychology, physics and philosophy shape what counts as an argument in their respective fields? Does political argument resemble academic argument? What strategies will enable experts to communicate more effectively with public audiences in fields such as public health and the environmental humanities? Students will write frequent reflections, develop several short papers, and the semester will culminate in the construction of a final project of the student’s own design (for example, a research paper, a website, a podcast…) that can focus on any aspect of academic, professional, or political argumentation.

Location

Lechase Room 122 (TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

We say that the pen is mightier than the sword, implying that writing can change human history and culture. This course is designed to examine this idea and put it into practice. How can, and how should, words be used to shape the social and political world? Through a variety of media—books and articles, YouTube and TikTok, documentaries and Hollywood films—students will engage with activism about various issues such as institutional racism, mass incarceration, immigration, climate change, gender politics, and animal rights. The course will prompt reflection on both the ethics of these issues and the efficacy of the activism behind them. How can we become more effective and thoughtful writer-activists with the tools of scholarship at our disposal? As one component of the course, students can choose to provide anonymous feedback on the writing of incarcerated people, working to empower a disempowered population through words. This course meets the citation for community-engaged scholarship as students will produce various public-facing activist writing projects.

Prerequisite: Completion of the Primary Writing Requirement

Location

Morey Room 205 (TR 3:25PM - 4:40PM)

Symbolic logic through first-order quantification theory. Skill in deductive inference is strengthened through construction of proofs and other methods of a rigorously defined artificial language.

Location

Dewey Room 2162 (MW 3:25PM - 4:40PM)

This course deals with business ethics and corporate social responsibility. Through class discussions and case studies, students explore the theory and practice of business ethics and develop their ability to recognize and address ethical issues. The course equips students with analytical skills in ethical reasoning and provides them with a substantive framework to deal with ethical challenges they may encounter in their future careers. Topics include corporate responsibilities vis-à-vis employees, customers, clients, and society; conflicts of interest in finance and accounting; insider trading; discrimination in employment; sweatshop labor; advertising and sales tactics; pricing; whistle-blowing; bribery; executive pay; intellectual property; censorship; health care resource allocation; and climate change.

** If the section is full, please request the course here on UR Student and then email ugbusiness@rochester.edu to be added to the waitlist. Professor Miklos will not be able to override additional students; all requests must go through the ugbusiness@rochester.edu email.

Location

Morey Room 525 (MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM)

This course is an introduction to the ethics of emerging technologies and the value judgments that are integral to the engineering design process. The technologies addressed will include information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI), biomedical engineering (BME), and environmental and agricultural technology. The course will examine ideals of professionalism and the influence of institutional settings on professional decision-making. The pedagogy, written work, and evaluation in this course will be strongly oriented to case-based analysis and value-driven science-based decision-making.

Location

Goergen Hall Room 109 (TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM)

Survey of the philosophy of ancient Greece, from the Presocratics through Hellenistic philosophy six centuries later. We will study the work of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle on topics such as being, beauty, the soul, and the nature of justice, with special focus on the great dialogues of Plato. 

Location

Morey Room 501 (MW 2:00PM - 3:15PM)

PREREQUISITE: One previous Philosophy course required.

Philosophical analysis of ethical issues in medicine and biotechnology, such as problems arising in connection with the relations between physicians and patients, the challenges of cultural diversity, practices surrounding human and animal research, decisions about end of life care, embryonic stem cell research, genetic engineering, biotechnological human enhancement, and social justice in relation to health-care policy. Papers will focus on analyses grounded in case studies.

Location

Dewey Room 1101 (TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM)

Fulfills upper level writing requirement for the major.

Philosophical analysis of ethical issues in medicine and biotechnology, such as problems arising in connection with the relations between physicians and patients, the challenges of cultural diversity, practices surrounding human and animal research, decisions about end of life care, embryonic stem cell research, genetic engineering, biotechnological human enhancement, and social justice in relation to health-care policy. Papers will focus on analyses grounded in case studies.

Location

Dewey Room 1101 (TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM)

PREREQUISITE: One Previous Philosophy course required

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

Goergen Hall Room 108 (TR 3:25PM - 4:40PM)

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)

The W versions of this course counts toward the upper-level writing requirement for the major. 

Location

Goergen Hall Room 108 (TR 3:25PM - 4:40PM)

Prerequisite-at least one previous course in Philosophy

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

Dewey Room 2162 (MW 4:50PM - 6:05PM)

W section fulfills upper-level requirement for the major

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

Dewey Room 2162 (MW 4:50PM - 6:05PM)

[Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy]

An introduction to classic and contemporary problems in the philosophy of mind, this course investigates how the mind is related to the physical world. Topics include: What is the mind and how is it related to the brain? How is it possible for mental states to cause physical states, and vise versa? How do mental states get their intentional content? What is consciousness and can it be given a physical explanation? What are the minds of other beings - such as animals and artificially intelligent computers - like, and how could we know?

Location

Goergen Hall Room 109 (MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM)

An introduction to classic and contemporary problems in the philosophy of mind, this course investigates how the mind is related to the physical world. Topics include: What is the mind and how is it related to the brain? How is it possible for mental states to cause physical states, and vise versa? How do mental states get their intentional content? What is consciousness and can it be given a physical explanation? What are the minds of other beings - such as animals and artificially intelligent computers - like, and how could we know?

The W version of this course will count toward the upper-level writing requirement for the major. 

Location

Goergen Hall Room 109 (MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM)

This course is an in-depth introduction to the formal analysis of natural language meaning, employing techniques that have been developed in language and formal philosophy over the last century. Issues include intensionality, quantification, tense, presupposition, plurality, the analysis of discourse, and other current issues. Familiarity with syntax, logic, and/or computation are helpful but not necessary. See LING 265.

Location

Lattimore Room 513 (TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM)

Prerequisite: At least one previous course in Philosophy

Survey of primarily metaphysical questions about science: 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?

Location

Gavett Hall Room 206 (MW 3:25PM - 4:40PM)

W section fulfills upper-level writing requirement for the major

Survey of primarily metaphysical questions about science: 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? Fulfills upper level writing requirement for the major.

Location

Gavett Hall Room 206 (MW 3:25PM - 4:40PM)

[Prerequisite - At least one previous course in Philosophy]

In this course, we will focus on selected figures, topics and positions from the modern period of philosophy - about 1500 to 1800. Topics may include metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, and political philosophy. Figures may include Descartes, Malebranche, Cavendish, Conway, Spinoza, Locke, Rousseau, Astell, Arnauld, Leibniz, Berkeley, Hume, Reid, Kant and others.

Location

Lattimore Room 531 (MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

W section Fulfills upper level writing requirement for the major.

In this course, we will focus on selected figures, topics and positions from the modern period of philosophy - about 1500 to 1800. Topics may include metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, and political philosophy. Figures may include Descartes, Malebranche, Cavendish, Conway, Spinoza, Locke, Rousseau, Astell, Arnauld, Leibniz, Berkeley, Hume, Reid, Kant and others.

Location

Lattimore Room 531 (MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

[Prerequisite: At least one previous course in Philosophy]

What is the nature of funniness?  Why does the same joke amuse some people but not others, or the same person at some times but not others?  Do all funny things have a common feature that accounts for their capacity to amuse?  When is it wrong to laugh?  Must a person share racist or sexist attitudes in order to find racist or sexist humor funny?  More generally, what does a person’s sense of humor tell us, if anything, about their moral character?  Can a joke be wrong in itself, or only through its consequences?  These and other questions are addressed by applying general concepts from metaphysics, ethics, philosophy of language, and philosophy of mind.

Location

Morey Room 525 (TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM)

This course analyzes major social and political problems from the multi-disciplinary perspectives of politics, philosophy, and economics. Topics covered may include: Income inequality and wage gaps, environmental policy and climate change, race and incarceration, democratic structures and norms, and immigration.

Location

Harkness Room 115 (MW 3:25PM - 4:40PM)

In this course, graduating PPE majors will select and workshop a paper for their paper presentation requirement. The course will culminate in presentation of papers to members of the PPE program

Location

Lechase Room 182 (W 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

PREREQUISITE: One previous Philosophy course required

Seminar on a limited number of changing topics in biomedical ethics.

Location

Lattimore Room 531 (F 12:00PM - 2:40PM)

Advances in neuroscience allow us to understand the brain and its functions more completely now than ever before. From these findings, new medical techniques and technologies are being developed that will allow us to peer into the working of others minds and to alter our cognitive functions, our memory, and our moods, raising fundamental questions about free will, about the basis for our identity as persons, and about morality itself. For these reasons, neuroscience may pose a deeper set of moral issues than any other science and this course will seek to explore the ethical issues that it raises.

Location

Hylan Building Room 206 (R 2:00PM - 4:40PM)

The reading of philosophical literature under guidance, for seniors majoring in philosophy.

Location

( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)

Location

Lechase Room 104 (MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

Those wishing to pursue an Honors thesis track must first confirm with the Undergraduate Adviser that they meet the eligibility requirements, discuss how the other Honors requirements will be met, and secure the agreement of a Philosophy faculty member to serve as the thesis adviser. Then, in consultation with the thesis adviser (typically at the end of junior year), they will assemble a list of relevant texts in the area of thesis research and begin reading through the materials in the summer before senior year. In fall of senior year, they will enroll in PHIL 396, for which they will meet regularly with the adviser throughout the semester to discuss the texts and to hone the thesis topic and outline. (Registration for Independent Study courses needs to be completed thru the instructions for online independent study registration.)

Location

( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)

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( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)

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( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)

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( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)

After taking PHIL 396 to conduct research on the thesis topic, Honors thesis students enroll in PHIL 399 to continue the project, completing the writing of the thesis and then taking an oral examination (conducted by the thesis adviser and a second faculty reader) at least two weeks after submission of the final version of the thesis. (Registration for Independent Study courses needs to be completed thru

Location

( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)

After taking PHIL 396 to conduct research on the thesis topic, Honors thesis students enroll in PHIL 399 to continue the project, completing the writing of the thesis and then taking an oral examination (conducted by the thesis adviser and a second faculty reader) at least two weeks after submission of the final version of the thesis. (Registration for Independent Study courses needs to be completed thru

Location

( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)