Philosophy Fall 2023 Course Offerings
SO courses are online courses that meet Synchronously Online.
AO courses are online courses that meet Asynchronously Online.
If nothing is listed, then this is an in-seat course.
There could be some adjustments in delivery mode options, like an additional SO section associated with an in-seat class. These changes will be found at classes.isu.edu.
PHIL 1101 (Objective 4A): Introduction to Philosophy
Multiple sections offered, see BengalWeb class schedule.
An introduction to major thinkers and major problems in philosophy. Topics may include the existence of God, the nature of knowledge, and the meaning of life.
For more information about this course, watch this video.
PHIL 1103 (Objective 4A): Introduction to Ethics
Multiple sections offered, see BengalWeb class schedule.
How should we live? This is the fundamental question of ethics, and it is in this sense that ethics, as a branch of philosophy, is practical rather than theoretical: it is concerned not primarily with what to believe or with what exists but with what to do, how to act. This course will introduce you to some of the most important questions that arise in ethics: What would constitute a good human life? What is the highest good? What is the foundation of morality? Can moral claims be objectively true or false? What could make them true or false? What is the content of morality? What (kinds of) actions are morally right or wrong, and why? Why should I be moral? What is the relationship between morality and self-interest? Is it always in my interest to behave morally? If so, how?
For more information about this course, watch this video.
PHIL 2201 (Objective 7): Introduction to Logic
01: MWF 10-10:50 with Mike Roche (CRN: 10036)
This course is an introduction to logic. After a brief introduction to certain basic logical concepts, we will turn our attention to three systems of deductive logic: categorical; sentential; and predicate. Each system will allow us to represent in a very precise way the logical structure that underlies certain of our own statements in natural language. For each system, we will first learn to translate English statements into that system. Once appropriately translated, we will then learn to test both individual statements and sets of statements for various interesting properties, focusing mostly on validity. In addition to deductive logic, we will also study various informal fallacies. Students successful in this course will greatly improve both their own reasoning skills and their ability to evaluate the reasoning of others.
PHIL 2220: Philosophical Issues in Religion
01: TR 1-2:15 with Melissa Norton (CRN: 14382)
02: TR 1-2:15 SO with Melissa Norton (CRN: 14387)
In Philosophy of Religion we will be reading classic texts in Western philosophy of religion and contemporary readings which bear on them. The texts will focus on God and moral autonomy, arguments for the existence of God, miracles, the problem of evil, and the nature of religious belief and experience. Authors whose works we will read include Plato, Anselm, Aquinas, Descartes, Pascal, Hume, Kant, James, and Clifford.
PHIL 2230: Medical Ethics
01: AO with Ralph Baergen (CRN: 10037)
02: AO with Nobel Ang (CRN: 10038)
03: AO with Nobel Ang (CRN: 10039)
The practice of medicine raises ethical issues unlike those encountered in other spheres of life. The purpose of this course is to explore a number of these issues, drawing out the ethical considerations involved and examining how ethical decisions are made. The course will begin with a brief overview of ethical theories and their application. The issues to be examined include refusing life-sustaining treatment, medical futility, making medical decisions for others, assisted suicide, managed care, abortion, etc.
For more information about this course as taught by Professor Ang, watch this video.
For more information about this course as taught by Professor Baergen, watch this video.
PHIL 2255: Political and Social Philosophy
01: TR 11-12:15 with Jim Skidmore (CRN: 13463)
02: TR 11-12:15 SO with Jim Skidmore (CRN: 13474)
Human beings live in societies, rather than simply on our own. This raises important philosophical questions: What is the proper relationship between the individual and society (or the state)? Why should I obey the laws of the society in which I live? What justifies the coercive power of the state? What is the source of its authority? What does it mean to say that individuals have rights (like the right to life or liberty), and what rights must the state respect? How should wealth and other social goods be distributed in societies?
PHIL 2260 (Objective 7): Philosophy of Life and Death
01: TR 2:30-3:45 with STAFF (CRN: 13464)
02: TR 2:30-3:45 SO with STAFF (CRN: 13974)
An examination of some of the most important and difficult questions about life and death, including the nature of death, how to live given the fact that we will die, whether death is really the end, and whether immortality would even be desirable.
PHIL 4430/5530: Philosophy of Science
01: MW 1-2:15 with Mike Roche (CRN: 14383/14388)
02: MW 1-2:15 SO with Mike Roche (CRN: 14389/14390)
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the central issues in philosophy of science. Questions that we shall investigate can be organized around the following themes. The nature of science: What marks the difference between science and non-science? What is a scientific theory and how does theory relate to evidence? The methods of science: How do scientific inference and explanation work? How are scientific theories confirmed or disconfirmed? Is induction rational? The interpretation of science: Does science aim at truth or mere predictability? Is the predictive success of a science a good indication that it is tracking the truth? Additionally, we shall investigate the nature of causation and the relationship of the so-called “special sciences” (e.g., psychology, sociology, economics) to the “hard” sciences, chiefly, physics.
PHIL 4450/5550: Ethical Theory
01: MW 11-12:15 with Jim Skidmore (CRN: 14384/14391)
02: MW 11-12:15 SO with Jim Skidmore (CRN: 14392/14393)
This course will survey the central problems of contemporary moral philosophy, along with their historical roots. Scientists have made tremendous progress in developing coherent and comprehensive theories of our empirical world, but our world is not only one of masses and valences but also of values. Some things in it we judge to be good (or bad); some of our actions we judge to be right (or wrong). But what is it that makes certain things good, or certain actions right? Further, what exactly is the meaning of claims about value and rightness? When I say, "human happiness is good," am I expressing a belief in a fact about the world? (If so, what kind of fact?) Am I merely expressing an attitude I have toward human happiness? Also, what is the relationship between morality and rationality? Could it ever be rational to do what is morally wrong?
PHIL 4456/5556: Ethical Issues in Healthcare Law and Policy
01: AO with Ralph Baergen (CRN: 12391/12392)
Healthcare is shaped by 3 intersecting factors: The clinical realities of caring for patients, the laws and policies that govern that care, and ethical rules and principles. This course will examine how healthcare laws and policies can be shaped by – or be in serious conflict with – ethical standards. We will examine clinical, public health, and system-level issues.
