Graduate Courses 2017-2018

See the Online Course Information for course locations.

Please note that all courses with the letter “a” are offered in the fall semester and all courses with the letter “b” are offered in the spring semester.

PHIL 567a, Mathematical Logic I Sun-Joo Shin

An introduction to the metatheory of first-order logic, up to and including the completeness theorem for the first-order calculus. An introduction to the basic concepts of set theory is included.
MW 11:35am-12:25pm

PHIL 602a / CPLT 699a / GMAN 603a, Heidegger’s Being and Time Martin Hägglund

A systematic, chapter-by-chapter study of Heidegger’s Being and Time, arguably the most important work of philosophy of the twentieth century. All the major themes of the book are addressed in detail, with a particular emphasis on care, time, death, and the meaning of being.
MW 11:35am-12:50pm

PHIL 615b, Hume and Reid Kenneth Winkler

A study of Hume’s epistemology and metaphysics and his science of human nature. Topics include space and time; inductive reasoning; causation; belief in an external world; personal identity; liberty and necessity; moral judgment; religious belief; and skepticism. Readings in Book I of A Treatise of Human Nature, An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding, and Dialogues concerning Natural Religion.
W 7pm-8:50pm

PHIL 617a / GMAN 649a / JDST 651a, Critical Theory and the Frankfurt School Asaf Angermann

This course is an introduction to the thought and writings of the philosophers known as the Frankfurt School, who founded and developed the idea of Critical Theory. Taken in its original meaning as a method or even a practice, rather than a systematic theory, Critical Theory suggests a way of thinking about the interrelations between philosophy and society, culture and politics, and on the complex relation between philosophical concepts and social reality. By reading key texts of Frankfurt School authors such as Adorno, Horkheimer, Marcuse, Benjamin, Kracauer, and Fromm, the course inquires into the meaning of concepts such as critique, history, freedom, individuality, emancipation, and aesthetic experience.
Th 1:30pm-3:20pm

PHIL 619a, Descartes Michael Della Rocca

An examination of Descartes as a founder of the modern world picture. Consideration of all his major works.
W 1:30pm-3:20pm

PHIL 627b, Computability and Logic Sun-Joo Shin

A technical exposition of Gödel’s first and second incompleteness theorems and of some of their main consequences in proof theory and model theory, such as Löb’s theorem, Tarski’s undefinability of truth, provability logic, and nonstandard models of arithmetic.
M 3:30pm-5:20pm

PHIL 630a, Social Epistemology Daniel Greco

Survey of recent work in social epistemology, the branch of philosophy that concerns the social dimensions of knowledge. Topics to be addressed include the epistemic significance of disagreement, judgment aggregation, and how various social institutions look when viewed through an epistemological lens (e.g., epistemic arguments for democracy, error-minimization arguments for trial-by-jury).
F 9:25am-11:15am

PHIL 634b, Disagreement and Higher-Order Evidence John Pittard

An investigation of the epistemic significance of disagreement, focusing on recent work on this question and on several related issues in the theory of rationality.
W 1:30pm-3:20pm

PHIL 638a, Philosophy of Logic Sun-Joo Shin

Exploration of valid reasoning, mainly in the context of propositional and predicate logic. Topics include the well-known debate on the justification of modus ponens; Tarski’s analysis of logic consequence; and the relatively recent and provocative claim (made by Etchemendy) that Tarski’s analysis of logical consequence fails in capturing ordinary and intuitive concept of logical consequence.
M 3:30pm-5:20pm

PHIL 639b, Modal Logic Sun-Joo Shin

Basic philosophical concepts and logical tools underlying different modal systems, mainly focusing on necessity and possibility. Topics include propositional logic and its natural deductive system; modal operators and development of the simplest natural deductive system; extensions of the basic propositional modal system; intensional semantics; a diagrammatic method to check validity or invalidity; and quantified modal logic (QML). These topics lead to interesting philosophical issues and several nonstandard logical assumptions.
T 1:30pm-3:20pm

PHIL 644b, Social Ontology Robin Dembroff

Study of conceptual and methodological foundations of social ontology, as well as particular topics within social ontology, such as the nature of gender and race.
M 1:30-3:20pm

PHIL 650a, The Problem of Evil Keith DeRose

The evils of our world can seem to present strong reasons for disbelieving in the existence of God. This course examines the main forms that this problem for theism takes, and some of the proposed ways of solving, or at least mitigating, the problem.
T 1:30pm-3:20pm

PHIL 651b / AFAM 651b Epistemic Oppression  Kristie Dotson

Feminists of color have grappled with knowledge-related problems for centuries, but because of differing metaphilosophical and background assumptions, their insights concerning epistemic oppression can be difficult for typical philosophy and academic audiences to identify and understand. This course equips students with the ability to detect and comprehend women of color feminist epistemological projects for more comprehensive ways of understanding epistemic oppression.
T 7:00-8:50pm
 
PHIL 654a, The Moral Theories of Moore and Ross Shelly Kagan

An examination of two of the most important works of moral philosophy of the twentieth century, Principia Ethica by G.E. Moore and The Right and the Good by W.D. Ross.
Th 1:30pm-3:20pm

PHIL 655b, Normative Ethics Shelly Kagan

A systematic examination of normative ethics, the part of moral philosophy that attempts to articulate and defend the basic principles of morality. The bulk of the course surveys and explores some of the main normative factors relevant in determining the moral status of a given act or policy (features that help make a given act right or wrong). Brief consideration of some of the main views about the foundations of normative ethics (the ultimate basis or ground for the various moral principles).
Th 1:30pm-3:20pm

PHIL 657b / PLSC 611b, Recent Work on Justice Thomas Pogge

In-depth study of one contemporary book, author, or debate in political philosophy, political theory, or normative economics. Depending on student interest, this might be a ground-breaking new book, the life’s work of a prominent author, or an important theme in contemporary political thought.
M 3:30pm-5:20pm

PHIL 663a / PLSC 605a, Rethinking Sovereignty: Human Rights and Globalization  Seyla Benhabib

The crises of sovereignty and the end of sovereignty have been discussed in law, political science, and philosophy. Post-nationalist, cosmopolitan, as well as neoliberal critics of sovereignty abound. This course discusses alternative models of sovereignty, ranging from democratic iterations to popular constitutionalism, and considers the implications of these models for the definition and enforcement of rights. Recent developments in the U.S. and the European Union law regarding immigration and refugee issues are a special focus. Readings include Hobbes, Kant, Schmitt, Arendt, Kelsen, Habermas, Waldron, Walker, and Benveniste. Also LAW 20662.
Th 10:30am-12:30pm

PHIL 664a, Justice, Taxes, and Global Financial Integrity Thomas Pogge

This seminar studies the formulation, interpretation, and enforcement of national and international tax rules from the perspective of national and global economic justice.
M 3:30pm-5:20pm

PHIL 668a, Metaethics Stephen Darwall

A study of moral theorizing and moral discourse. The linguistic role of words like good, bad, right, and wrong; whether propositions that use these terms can be true or false. What ethical claims mean, if anything, and what kinds of reasoning or evidence might justify such claims.
T 7pm-8:50pm

PHIL 683b / CLSS 816b, Plato’s Metaphysics Verity Harte

A broad look at central topics in Plato’s metaphysics followed by in-depth study of the conception of reality underlying the classificatory method at work in his Sophist, Statesman, and Philebus.
W 3:30pm-5:20pm

PHIL 684b, Teleology and Mechanism Paul Franks

Examination of teleology, with special emphasis on Aristotle, Kant, Schelling, and Hegel, as well as recent discussions of invisible hand explanations, which explain the appearance of purposiveness. Additional exploration of conceptions of mechanism, both in the history of modern philosophy and science, and in recent debates about so-called new mechanical philosophy.
Th 9:25am-11:15am

PHIL 703b, Philosophy of Law: Analytical Jurisprudence Scott Shapiro

This course examines a variety of historically influential responses to basic questions concerning the nature of law and the difference (if any) between law and morality. Readings include works by legal positivists, natural lawyers, legal realists, and critical legal scholars. PHIL 715 is a companion to this course. The two together comprise a literacy course in the philosophy of law. They can be taken in either order or separately. Neither is a prerequisite for the other, but students seeking a strong background in philosophy of law are encouraged, but not required, to take both. Self-scheduled examination or paper option.
TTh 8:35-10am

PHIL 705a, First-Year Seminar Michael Della Rocca and Robin Dembroff

Required of and limited to first-year students in the Philosophy Ph.D. program. Topic varies from year to year. Preparation for graduate work. Reading, writing, and presentation skills.
T 3:30pm-5:20pm

PHIL 706a, Work in Progress I Paul Franks

In consultation with the instructor, each student presents a significant work in progress, e.g., a revised version of an advanced seminar paper or a dissertation chapter. Upon completion of the writing, the student presents the work in a mock colloquium format, including a formal question-and-answer period.
M 1:30pm-3:20pm

PHIL 715a, Philosophy of Law: Normative Jurisprudence Gideon Yaffe

This course concerns philosophical topics that arise in connection with particular areas of law. Such topics include the justification of criminal punishment; discrepancy in punishment of attempted and completed crimes; the relevance of ignorance of the law to criminal responsibility; self-defense and other forms of preventive violence; the rationale for double-jeopardy restrictions; the conception of justice of import to tort law; the concepts of causation and intention in tort law; the relationship between promises and contracts; the fundamental rationale for property rights; the grounds for and nature of the individualization of the reasonable person standard; the rationale for variations in standards of proof across areas of law. A selection of such topics are examined through consideration of both philosophical essays written about them and legal materials that bear on them. PHIL 703 is a companion to this course. The two together comprise a literacy course in the philosophy of law. They can be taken in either order or separately. Neither is a prerequisite for the other, but students seeking a strong background in philosophy of law are encouraged, but not required, to take both. Enrollment limited to twenty-five. Self-scheduled examination.
ThF 1:10pm-2:35pm

PHIL 717b, Recent Work and Research in Epistemology Keith DeRose, Timothy Williamson

A study of some prominent issues in current epistemology, focusing on literature relevant to research interests of students and the instructor. Topics may include skepticism, internalist vs. externalist accounts of knowledge and of justification, the structure of knowledge and of justification (foundationalism, coherentism), contextualism in epistemology, relevant alternative accounts of knowledge, and the epistemology of lotteries. Students not in the Philosophy graduate program are welcome, but should contact the instructor for permission and further information before enrolling.
T 3:30pm-5:20pm

PHIL 718a / PLSC 553a, Social Justice Bruce Ackerman

An examination of contemporary theories, together with an effort to assess their practical implications. Authors this year include Peter Singer, Richard Posner, John Rawls, Robert Nozick, Michael Walzer, Marion Young, Avishai Margalit, and Cass Sunstein. Topics: animal rights, the status of children and the principles of educational policy, the relation of market justice to distributive justice, the status of affirmative action, and the rise of technocracy. Self-scheduled examination or paper option. Follows Law School academic calendar. Also LAW 20104.
MT 4:10-6:00pm

PHIL 721b, Context Zoltán Szabó

The problem of context-dependence in natural language. Topics include objective and subjective conceptions of context, types of context-sensitivity, vagueness and imprecision, compositionality and rule-following.
W 1:30pm-3:20pm

PHIL 736a / CLSS 879a, Stoicism Brad Inwood

Stoicism was one of the most important philosophical movements in the ancient Graeco-Roman world and has exercised great influence on European philosophy (and culture more generally) since the Renaissance. This course is a high-level introduction to ancient Stoicism, open equally to those who have a reading knowledge of Greek and/or Latin (as relevant) and those who don’t.
Th 1:30pm-3:20pm

PHIL 738a / CLSS 885a, Aristotle: Metaphysics Book 9 [Theta] David Charles

The class reads and discusses the Greek text of Aristotle’s Metaphysics 9 [Theta], which discusses substances, processes, activities, and capacities: central features of Aristotle’s metaphysics. This book is important for its discussion of a series of arguments concerning necessity, possibility, metaphysical priority, and truth. This is a core course for the combined Ph.D. program in Classics and Philosophy. It is open to all graduate students in Philosophy or Classics who have suitable preparation in Attic Greek and some prior knowledge of ancient philosophy. Others interested in taking or attending the class must have prior permission of the instructors.
W 3:30pm-5:20pm

PHIL 743b, Law and Psychology Gideon Yaffe

This seminar explores recent research in psychology and philosophy concerned with free will, agency, and moral and criminal responsibility, and the bearing of this research on the law. Topics include the nature of agency and free will; the distinction between compulsion and weakness; causality and responsibility; conceptions of just deserts; excusing, mitigating, and aggravating conditions; neural and genetic sources of conduct, and situational and unconscious factors shaping conduct.
T 2:10pm-4pm

PHIL 747a / PSYC772a,  Experimental Jurisprudence   Joshua Knobe

Investigation of legally relevant concepts using systematic experimental methods. Topics include the concepts of causation, consent, similarity, intention. Emphasis is on helping students develop and implement their own experimental studies.

HTBA

PHIL 750a or b, Tutorial Zoltán Szabó

By arrangement with faculty.
HTBA