A Communication-Intensive Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 100
T/Th: 1:00 – 2:15 PM | 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
L. Hengehold | J. Cauvin
Basic questions of philosophy and different methods for approaching them philosophically. Problems raised by science, morality, religion, politics, or art, etc., and investigations pertinent to many disciplines and areas of study. Readings from ancient and modern philosophers from Western and other traditions as chosen by the instructor. Sections vary based on the instructor; yet all share the task of introducing students to this oldest and broadest academic discipline. Students cannot earn credit for both PHIL 100 and PHIL 101.

Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 101
T/Th: 1:00 – 2:15 PM
H. Dang
Basic questions of philosophy and different methods for approaching them philosophically. Problems raised by science, morality, religion, politics, or art, etc., and investigations pertinent to many disciplines and areas of study. Readings from ancient and modern philosophers from Western and other traditions as chosen by the instructor. Sections vary based on the instructor; yet all share the task of introducing students to this oldest and broadest academic discipline.

What is Science? Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science
PHIL 111
T/Th: 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
C. Haufe | A. Rothman
We look at historical and philosophical aspects of modern science. The objective of the course is to develop a sense of (1) what forms scientific research has taken historically, and (2) what it is about scientific research that makes it distinctive as a form of human knowledge. Offered as HPSC 111, PHIL 111 and HSTY 111.

Introduction to Logic
PHIL 201
M/W/F: 2:05 – 2:55 PM
C. McLarty
Presentation, application, and evaluation of formal methods for determining the validity of arguments. Discussion of the relationship between logic and other disciplines.

Revolutions in Science
PHIL 203
T/Th: 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
C. Haufe
Historical and philosophical interpretation of some epochal events in development of science. Copernican revolution, Newtonian mechanics, Einstein’s relativity physics, quantum mechanics, and evolutionary theory; patterns of scientific growth; structure of scientific “revolutions;” science and “pseudo-science.” First half of a year-long sequence. Offered as HSTY 203 and PHIL 203.

Philosophy of Technology
PHIL 240
T/Th: 4:15 – 5:30 PM
R. Uliasz
This course will introduce key figures and debates in the field of the philosophy of technology and progress towards multiple ethical and philosophical questions around specific technologies (focusing specifically on digital media and computational technologies) in the twenty-first century. The goal is to familiarize students with a critical vocabulary for understanding how technologies shape power, perception, and social life. Students will learn to apply philosophical frameworks in oral and written form to examine the social, moral, and ethical implications of contemporary technology.

Responsible AI: Cultivating a Just and Sustainable Socio-technical Future through Data Citizenship
PHIL 250
Th: 4:15 – 5:30 PM
T. Beal
An introduction to the key issues that inform ethically responsible design, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, with particular focus on the impact of data practices. From generative language models to video surveillance and identity detection to facial recognition, AI is becoming more and more embedded in our everyday lives. These AI technologies are increasingly built on our data, whether we are aware of it or not. In this praxis-oriented course, we will explore how data is fundamental to the development of AI technologies and develop practices for increased awareness of and participation in this data ecosystem. As we interrogate AI systems in everyday life through hands-on engagement with AI tools and their data pipelines, we will begin to construct a data citizenship model that can help us reclaim the power of collective responsibility in order to build a more just and sustainable socio-technical future. Students will focus their individual and group projects on questions and issues directly related to the subject area of the offering they are enrolled in. Offered as COGS 250, ENGL 250, HUMN 250, MUGN 250, PHIL 250 and RLGN 250.

Bioethics: Dilemmas
PHIL 271
M/W: 12:35 – 1:50 PM | T/Th: 10:00 – 11:15 AM
J. Knpes | TBD
Bioethics is the study of value-laden issues and moral dilemmas related to health, medicine, and the life sciences. This course will introduce students to the field of bioethics, including key theories and debates that span clinical ethics, research ethics, public health ethics, and other approaches. Students will learn about ethical issues across the life course, including bioethics at the beginning and end of life, as well as ethics surrounding contemporary medical science and technologies and broader equity and justice concerns in healthcare. Through interactive lectures and discussions, students will explore multiple stakeholder perspectives on these debates and cultivate their own understanding about how to resolve challenging value conflicts. Offered as BETH 271 and PHIL 271.

Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 301
T/Th: 2:45 – 4:00 PM
C. Kim
Western philosophy from the early Greeks to the Skeptics. Emphasis on the pre-Socratics, Plato and Aristotle. Recommended preparation: PHIL 101 and consent of department. Offered as CLSC 301 and PHIL 301.

Topics in Philosophy of Science – History & Phil of Computing
PHIL 303
T/Th: 2:45 – 4:00 PM
H. Dang
In-depth study of selected topics in general philosophy of science or philosophy of physical, biological, or social science. Topics may include: theories of explanation, prediction, and confirmation; semantics of scientific language; reductionism; space, time and relativity; philosophical issues about quantum mechanics; philosophical issues about life sciences (e.g., evolution, teleology, and functional explanation); explanation and understanding in social sciences; value in social science. Recommended preparation: PHIL 101 or PHIL 201 or PHIL 203. Offered as PHIL 303 and PHIL 403.

Ethics in Theory and Practice
PHIL 305
M/W: 3:10 – 4:25 PM
S. French
The goal of this course is to provide students with an integrated understanding of ethical theory and ethical practice. The course includes a survey of major intellectual approaches to ethics from ancient times to the current day. This includes major philosophical theories (e.g. utilitarianism, deontology, virtue theory, feminist ethics and the ethics of care, the capability approach) and more recent contributions from psychology, behavioral economics, and neuroscience. Students also engage in several ethical practices, such as: engaging in productive dialogue to achieve consensus views on case studies, investigating the lived experience of individuals to inform judgements of ethical impact and/or conduct, identifying individual values and practicing living by them, performing a personal ethical inventory, doing good deeds, advocating for change, practicing conflict resolution, and facilitating productive discussion. Throughout the semester, students are asked to reflect upon their experiences of ethical practices and relate them to theory. In their final essay, students provide their own perspective on how best to integrate ethical theory and practice in relation to a specific topic or issue. Offered as PHIL 305 and PHIL 405.

Bioethics and Armed Conflict
PHIL 308
T/Th: 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
J. Wolfendale
Armed conflict raises numerous ethical issues for medical practitioners, medical researchers, and the recipients of medical care. This course will introduce students to some of the central ethical questions arising from the intersection between armed conflict and bioethics, including: What are the duties of military medical personnel in an armed conflict? How should military medical personnel balance duty to the military and duties to patients? May military medical personnel prioritize the medical needs of friendly combatants or civilians above those of enemy combatants or civilians? May medical research be used to assist the achievement of military objectives, such as the enhancement of military personnel? What rights do military personnel have with respect to new medical interventions, such as vaccines? And what are states’ duties regarding the provision of healthcare after conflict? This course will introduce students to a diverse range of disciplinary and global perspectives on these and related issues. Offered as PHIL 308 and PHIL 408.

Philosophy of Mathematics
PHIL 313
M/W: 3:10 – 4:25 PM
C. McLarty
Logical paradoxes and their effects on foundations of mathematics. Status of mathematical entities and nature of mathematical truths. Formalist, logicist, and intuitionist positions. Recommended preparation: PHIL 101 or PHIL 201. Offered as PHIL 313 and PHIL 413.

Selected Topics in Philosophy – Lear and MacIntyre
PHIL 315
Th: 6:00 – 8:30 PM
J. Bendik-Keymer
Examination of views of a major philosopher or philosophical school, a significant philosophical topic, or a topic that relates to philosophy and other discipline. Recommended preparation: PHIL 101. Offered as PHIL 315 and PHIL 415.

War and Morality
PHIL 317
M/W: 12:35 – 1:50 PM
S. French
The aim of this course is to explore a wide range of ethical issues relating to the decision to take a nation to war, how wars are conducted, and efforts to establish order in the wake of a conflict. Topics include the Just War tradition, pacifism, humanitarian intervention, moral repair and the establishment of a just peace, conduct of war, warrior codes, warrior transitions, and civil-military relations. We will be examining the ethics of war from the perspectives of both states and individuals. War is a crucible that strips those caught up in its horrors down to their fundamental selves inspiring acts of both inhuman depravity and seemingly superhuman nobility. This course is presented in a seminar format with lively discussions centering on contemporary readings in military ethics from texts and journals. Offered as PHIL 317, PHIL 417, and LAWS 5135.

Goodness, Truth and Beauty
PHIL 321
W: 6:25 – 8:55 PM
J. Bendik-Keymer
Suppose that being human is dynamic in at least this sense: humans have many ways of reasoning and correlative, different values that pull in various directions. To be practical is to seek the good, whereas to understand is to be grounded in the true. Relating well, by contrast, develops harmony between us. Some ancient philosophers called this, “beauty.” In this course, we study the art of being human by way of these three dynamic modalities.

Philosophy of Feminism
PHIL 325
T/TH: 4:15 – 5:30 PM
L. Hengehold
Dimensions of gender difference. Definition of feminism. Critical examination of feminist critiques of culture, including especially politics, ideology, epistemology, ethics, and psychology. Readings from traditional and contemporary sources. Offered as PHIL 325, PHIL 425 and WGST 325.

Philosophy of Evil: Defining, Understanding, and Responding to Evil
PHIL 337
T/Th: 2:45 – 4:00 PM
J. Wolfendale
The concept of evil plays a significant role in our moral thinking but is rarely clearly defined. When we call a person, institution, or action “evil,” what do we mean? How do individuals or institutions come to commit or perpetuate evil acts? And how should societies and individuals respond to evil? This course will explore these questions through the lens of historical and contemporary philosophical and interdisciplinary accounts of the nature of evil, the causes of evil, and social and interpersonal responses to evil, including debates about forgiveness, reconciliation, reparations, and punishment. Offered as PHIL 337 and PHIL 437.

Community-Based Research on the Ethics of AI
PHIL 391
M: 3:10 – 5:40 PM
A. Jack
This course is an applied philosophy seminar in which students conduct a supervised, community-based qualitative research study on how people in and around Cleveland understand–and are affected by–artificial intelligence. Working as a research team, students will design a semi-structured interview study, recruit and interview diverse community members, analyze themes in the data, and produce a public-facing report and presentation suitable for sharing with community partners. Interview topics include perceived ethical impacts of AI on employment, education, social relationships, and civic life; perceptions of fairness, privacy, and responsibility; and beliefs about how AI systems ‘think’ and how (or whether) that differs from human thinking. Participants may also be interviewed concerning their perceptions of hypothetical scenarios that anticipate potential future developments of AI systems.

Directed Study
PHIL 397
Under faculty supervision, students will undertake a project that demonstrates critical thinking, has clear goals, features periodic reporting of progress, and will result in a final report.

Philosophy Capstone
PHIL 398
Under faculty supervision, students will undertake a project that demonstrates critical thinking, has clear goals, features periodic reporting of progress, and will result in a final report and public presentation.

Philosophy Honors Thesis
PHIL 399
Under faculty supervision, students will complete a substantial thesis that demonstrates critical thinking, has clear goals, features periodic reporting of progress, and will be the subject of an oral examination as well as a public presentation.