This course will examine the concept of law as a directive human enterprise from a historical and philosophical perspective, focusing on the American legal tradition. Natural Law and Legal Positivistic approaches to law will be discussed. Philosophical questions to be addressed may include views on the propriety and impropriety of judges interpreting laws in terms of social values, the intent of legislators, particular moral codes, and/or the intentions of Constitutional authors. This may also include discussions about the advantages and disadvantages of approaches such as strict constructionism, judicial activism, and intermediate approaches to law. Some analysis of historically significant U.S. Supreme Court cases on a variety of subjects is likely. SJE, PMI

The goal of the course Philosophy of Science is to introduce students to many of the underlying assumptions, conceptual foundations, and implications of science as a distinctive approach to understanding the world. There is much contemporary debate on the different methodologies and types of reasoning used in science, and the extent to which science provides objective knowledge of the real world. Some of the specific themes the class will address are as follows: the presuppositions of scientific reasoning, the nature of scientific explanation, the problems of reductionism, induction and scientific realism, the question of how science progresses, the social character of science and whether science has any obligations to larger society. We will explore these themes both in a general way as well as through the lens of particular disciplines. For example: biology and the evolution/intelligent design debate, cognitive psychology and the nature of consciousness debate, physics (quantum mechanics) and the nature of reality debate, and astronomy/cosmology on the big bang and the question of fine-tuning. The aim of the course is to show students that although science is clearly seen as separable from philosophy, deep philosophical assumptions continue to shape the character of scientific investigation in virtually all its manifestations. PMI Offered as needed, every 3rd semester.

Introduction of the basic concepts and techniques of both Aristotelian syllogism and Modern symbolic logic, designed to equip students to analyze and evaluate arguments employed in scientific and non-scientific discourse. PMI

The ethical issues of health care are some of the most controversial and interesting of our day. In this course, ethical theory is critically examined and applied to moral problems in health care, sometimes using the medium of films and case studies. Moral problems in contemporary medical practice and public policy such as informed consent, euthanasia, confidentiality, termination of treatment, HIV/AIDS, genetics, the allocation of scarce resources, surrogate decision making, advance directives, paternalism, and research involving human and animal subjects are analyzed and discussed. The early part of the course is organized around the principles of respect and autonomy, justice, nonmaleficence, and beneficence. Recommended for non-health care professionals. PMI Offered every semester.

This course examines the major ethical and social responsibilities managers and business organizations face regarding owners, managers, non-management employees, local communities, the natural environment, and other important stakeholders. A clear understanding of what constitutes proper and ethical business practices will be employed to case studies and contemporary business operations. Areas of study will include but not be limited to: sexual harassment, affirmative action, outsourcing, employee privacy, and employer obligation to workers and local communities. PMI

What is the relationship between the good life and good food Between a society and a just food system Moving between the local and the global, the personal and the political, this course takes up the many and diverse ethical questions that attend to one of our most basic human activities: eating. PMI

A critical historical exploration of timeless political questions through the classical works of thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Locke, Machiavelli, Marx, and others. Central themes may include the moral/personal vs. economic/social dimensions of justice, the dangers and advantages of various forms of government, the nature of human rights, the dangers and advantages of private property, the role of the family, religion, and money in society, the basis and limitations of governmental power, and the relationship of politics and ethics. This includes some application to contemporary political issues and theories. Students are strongly encouraged to have had either 100 or 101 prior to taking this course. SJE, PMI

The purpose of the course "Philosophy in Latin America" is to introduce students to the depth and diversity of philosophy in Latin America. The course examines how philosophy in Latin America develops in response to the larger socio-political context, re-thinking European ideas to make sense of the unique realities of Latin America. The course is designed historically, spending the first few weeks looking at the early reception of academic philosophy in Latin America in the 16th century, while the rest of the semester focuses on the major intellectual trends of the 19th and 20th centuries (Positivism, Marxism, Philosophies of cultural identity and liberation philosophy). Because the philosophical diversity in Latin America is so extensive, the course will largely focus on how philosophy is employed in the analysis of cultural institutions, racial identity, ideologies of subjugation, and dialogues of colonized resistance. In examining the different ways that philosophy is pursued in Latin America, students will also discuss the extent to which Latin American philosophy changes the nature of doing philosophy. Prerequisite: any 100-level VUSM course or transfer student placement. SJE, PMI

Independent reading and/or research under the guidance of a philosophy faculty member. Refer to the academic policy section for independent study policy. Independent study contract is required. May be repeated for credit.

This course introduces students to basic aspects of how systems of artificial intelligence operate and the wide variety of challenges (and opportunities) that AI systems pose for human beings. The course will explore the role AI plays in understanding/modeling human thought, exploring the nature of consciousness, shaping social interaction, and organizing society. We will pay particular attention to the many philosophical questions/problems raised by AI: the ontological challenge of what kind of entity/being is AI; the ethical challenges AI poses to individuals, society and the planet; and current/future challenges of a truly autonomous AI (independent general machine intelligence) and the prospects of post and trans humanism. PMI