Philosophy (PHIL)
Topics selected by the instructor for specialized study. Course content varies and will be announced in the schedule of classes by title.
An introduction to the main problems of philosophy and its methods of inquiry, analysis, and criticism. Works of important philosophers will be read. Honors section offered.
Philosophical foundations of inductive inference, including probability, statistics, and decision theory; application of the methods and results of inductive inference to philosophical problems such as the problem of rationality, epistemology, theory confirmation, social and political philosophy.
Carolina Core: ARP
Formal logic, including foundational logical concepts, syntax and semantics of first-order logic; derivations; applications.
Carolina Core: ARP
Selected philosophical problems as they are presented in imaginative and theoretical literature. Works of fiction and philosophical treatments of issues involved in them will be read and discussed.
Moral issues confronting men and women in contemporary society. Topics will vary but may include discussion of problems related to abortion, drugs, euthanasia, war, social engineering, and punishment of criminals.
Carolina Core: VSR
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Community Service, GLD: Diversity and Social Advocacy, GLD: Professional and Civic Engagement Leadership Experiences
An introduction to the work of ancient philosophers, with special emphasis on Plato and Aristotle.
Cross-listed course: CLAS 301
Problems such as hedonism, providence, belief and evidence, and mysticism, as they appear in the writings of Epicureans, Stoics, Sceptics, and Plotinus.
Cross-listed course: CLAS 302
Major philosophical traditions in the Middle Ages.
An introduction to Continental and British philosophy running roughly from Descartes through Kant.
An introduction to Continental and British philosophy since Kant through study of the works of representative philosophers. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of Idealism, Marxism, Existentialism and Phenomenology, and analytic philosophy.
The principal movements of philosophical thought from Colonial times to the present, with special emphasis on the 19th and 20th centuries.
An introduction to existentialist themes in contemporary philosophy, literature, psychology, and religion. The writings of existentialists such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Camus, Sartre, Buber, May, and Binswanger will be read and discussed.
A study of the moral principles of conduct and the basic concepts underlying these principles, such as good, evil, right, wrong, justice, value, duty, and obligation. The ethical works of influential philosophers are analyzed in terms of these concepts.
Carolina Core: VSR
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Diversity and Social Advocacy, GLD: Professional and Civic Engagement Leadership Experiences
Ethical problems in business; application to business situations of philosophical theories of individual, corporate, and governmental rights and responsibilities.
Carolina Core: VSR
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Professional and Civic Engagement Leadership Experiences
An overview of major themes in political philosophy such as the nature of politics, obligation, community, representation, freedom, equality, and justice.
Cross-listed course: POLI 300
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Professional and Civic Engagement Leadership Experiences
Selected philosophical problems as they are presented in feature and documentary films.