A survey of modern logic including traditional logic, informal fallacies, sentential logic, quantification theory, and inductive logic.

An examination of some positions on moral value taken by various philosophers and their application to contemporary moral issues.

After an analysis of the intellectual heritage (Pre-Hispanic, Spanish, and Mexican) of the present-day Chicano, contemporary Chicano value orientations are compared and contrasted with such orientations in American society. General Prerequisite: Junior standing for all 3300 and 3400 level courses.

After a presentation of the principles of semantics and formal logic, and the rules of evidence and inquiry, critical analyses of selected articles on contemporary moral issues will be undertaken. This course is designed to improve a student's ability to think critically about the ethical dimensions of human conduct.

A philosophical examination of the nature of art, artistic creativity, art criticism, and aesthetic experience.

Go to top

3311 Philosophy of Science (3-0)

An analysis of the concepts and methods of both the natural and social sciences with consideration of their historical development and philosophical significance.

After a survey of philosophical developments in Latin America during the colonial period, during the struggles for independence, and in the nineteenth century, the thought of major twentieth century intellectual leaders in Latin America is examined. These include professional philosophers but also certain literary and political figures who expressed significant and influential philosophical positions.

An investigation of the writings of three of America's most important philosophers, emphasizing their influence upon contemporary philosophical activity in America and Europe.

Studies the origin and development of those ideas and problems which have come to characterize the philosophic tradition in the West as reflected in the thought of the Pre-Socratics, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics.

Studies the philosophies of the medieval period of the Christian West. Philosophers to be examined include Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, Duns Scotus, William of Ockham, and others.

Go to top

3317 Modern Philosophy: The Age of Reason and Doubt (3-0)

Focuses on rationalism (Descartes, Leibniz, Spinoza) and empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume) as well as on Kant's attempt to synthesize these two traditions.

Studies the reaction to Kant's attempted rejection of speculative philosophy in the thought of Fichte, Schelling, Hegel, Schopenhauer, and Marx. Also examines the critical assault on these systems by Kierkegaard and Nietzsche.

Drawing upon western and non-western religions in ancient and modern forms, the philosopher of religion examines such subjects as religious experience and expression, belief in, and the knowledge of God (or gods), and the functions of religious myths.

This course will consider such concepts as law, freedom, authority, justice, violence, revolution, etc., in their relevance to an understanding of extant forms of social existence.

This course will consider the principal forms of contemporary philosophy, logical-positivism, linguistic analysis, existentialism, phenomenology, and speculative philosophy. (Any one or several of these traditions will be stressed depending on the instructor. Consult the philosophy bulletin board for current offering.) May be repeated when course content varies.

Go to top

3340 Oriental Philosophy (3-0)

A survey of some aspects of oriental philosophy, traditions, and cultures concentrating on those of India and China.

Often called ontology or speculative philosophy, metaphysics studies the attempts to develop coherent sets of principles by which to understand comprehensive notions such as being and change, appearance and reality, God, freedom, mind, and the universe.

Analysis of the leading philosophical positions regarding knowledge, its source, criteria, and limits.

The life and work of one or more of the most influential philosophers will be the focus of this course. May be repeated when the course content varies.

The problem of knowledge, the meaning of persons, technological society, the nature of sexuality, and the new religious sensibility have been recent topics. May be repeated when the course content varies.

Student research under supervision of the staff. Prerequisite: Instructor's approval.

Go to top