Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 1103)
Basic problems of philosophy based upon readings in the works of selected leading philosophers. A prerequisite for upper-level philosophy.
Likely Sections: Regular and Honors
Offered: Every Semester
Likely Instructors: Jacob Caton (jcaton@astate.edu), Eric Cave (ecave@astate.edu), Mark Herman (mherman@astate.edu), and Michele Merritt (mmerritt@astate.edu)
Logic and Critical Thinking (PHIL 1503)
Topics include identification, evaluation, and construction of logical arguments, recognition of deductive and inductive thought, and detection of fallacies in everyday reasoning.
Likely Sections: Regular and Honors
Offered: (Likely) Every Semester
Likely Instructor: Mark Herman (mherman@astate.edu)
***PAST*** Syllabus (download): Click Here
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Introduction to Cognitive Science (PHIL 2403)
Cognitive Science is a wide-ranging area of study focusing on cognition from a variety of perspectives.
Likely Sections: Regular and Honors
Likely Instructor: Jacob Caton (jcaton@astate.edu)
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History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy (PHIL 3213)
Development of Western philosophy from the time of the Pre-Socratics to the end of the Middle Ages.
Likely Sections: Regular and Honors
Likely Instructor: Jacob Caton (jcaton@astate.edu)
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History of Modern Philosophy (PHIL 3223)
Major trends and figures in the development of Western philosophy from the Renaissance into the nineteenth century.
Likely Sections: Regular and Honors
Likely Instructor: Michele Merritt (mmerritt@astate.edu)
***PAST*** Syllabus (download): Click Here
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Philosophy of Religion (PHIL 3313)
Consideration of philosophical issues involved in the practice of religion. Sample topics include the nature and existence of God, the problem of evil, the foreknowledge problem, the relationship between science and religion, and mysticism and its claims.
Theory of Knowledge (PHIL 3403)
Critical examination of some of the major problems concerning the nature and extent of knowledge, belief and evidence, epistemic justification, rationality, memory, perception, and induction.
Sections: Regular and Honors
Instructor: Jacob Caton (jcaton@astate.edu)
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Philosophy of Science (PHIL 3423)
Examination of the methods and presuppositions of science. Topics may include the nature of the scientific method, the demarcation problem, the structure and evaluation of theories, inductive reasoning, scientific explanation, scientific realism, and the relationship between philosophy and science.
Likely Sections: Regular and Honors
Likely Instructor: Jacob Caton (jcaton@astate.edu)
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***PAST*** Book Info (“Look Inside”): Click Here
Symbolic Logic (PHIL 3553)
Rigorous treatment of sentential logic and predicate logic, proof techniques, and translation into symbolic notation. Additional topics may include basic issues in metatheory: the concepts of validity and truth, formal systems of deduction and their soundness and completeness. Prerequisite, PHIL 1503 or MATH 1023 or instructor permission.
Eastern Philosophy (PHIL 3623)
Major non-western philosophical traditions including Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
Philosophy of Law (PHIL 3703)
Conceptual and ethical questions relating to law and philosophy, including analytical jurisprudence, the justification of punishment, etc.
Likely Sections: Regular and Honors
Ethics in the Health Professions (PHIL 3713)
Examination of some of the moral issues involved in the practice of medicine and attendant medical technology. Sample topics include the right to privacy, the moral permissibility of euthanasia, and the appropriate distribution of scarce and expensive medical resources.
Likely Sections: Regular and Honors
Offered: (Likely) Every Semester
Likely Instructor: Eric Cave (ecave@astate.edu)
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***PAST*** Book Info (Table of Contents): Click Here
Computers, Ethics, and Society (PHIL 3723)
Introduction to moral, professional, and legal issues involving computer hardware and software. Prerequisite, PHIL 1103 or instructor permission.
Philosophy of Punishment (PHIL 3733)
Explores conceptual and ethical questions relating to punishment, such as: What is legal punishment? What, if anything, justifies the institution of punishment? Who can justifiably be punished and how do we determine what punishment is appropriate in a given case?
Topics in Feminist Philosophy (PHIL 3773)
Topics include, but are not limited to: Feminist Epistemology, Feminist Ethics, and Feminist Philosophy of Science. Prerequisite, PHIL 1103 or instructor permission. Cross-listed as WGS 3773.
Likely Instructor: Michele Merritt (mmerritt@astate.edu)
***PAST*** Syllabus (download): Click Here
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Contemporary Philosophy (PHIL 4213)
Major trends and developments in philosophy since the late nineteenth century and selected issues and works of major figures in this period.
Metaphysics (PHIL 4403)
Advanced study of the fundamental nature of reality, including but not limited to: ontology, modality, causation, space and time, mereology, and personal identity. Prerequisite, PHIL 1103 or instructor permission.
Philosophy of Mind (PHIL 4443)
Foundational issues in the study of mind, includes the nature of mind, the relation of psychology to physical science, and theories of mental content. Prerequisite, PHIL 1103 or instructor permission.
Likely Sections: Regular and Honors
Likely Instructor: Michele Merritt (mmerritt@astate.edu)
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Contemporary Ethical Issues (PHIL 4703)
Exploration of issues in normative ethical theory and metaethics. Sample topics include consequentialism, deontology, constructivism, moral skepticism, moral relativism, and the moral realism/anti-realism debate.
Likely Sections: Regular and Honors
Likely Instructor: Eric Cave (ecave@astate.edu)
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Aesthetics (PHIL 4723)
The nature of art, designed to help students respond intelligently to works of art.
Environmental Ethics (PHIL 4733)
Investigation of the moral dimensions of environmental issues, including the moral standing of animals, the ethics of population control measures, questions of justice relating to pollution generation and restriction, and ethical problems involved in the production and consumption of food. Prerequisite, PHIL 1103.
Social and Political Philosophy (PHIL 4743)
Explores the justification, or lack thereof, of social and political institutions. Prerequisite, PHIL 1103, Introduction to Philosophy, equivalent, or instructor permission. Cross listed as WGS 4743.
Likely Instructor: Eric Cave (ecave@astate.edu)
***PAST*** Syllabus (download): Click Here
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Philosophy of Sex (PHIL 4763)
Explores the concept of sexual activity and the implications of various theories of sexual activity to our understanding of rape, sexual harassment, pornography, sexual fidelity, parenthood, and various other important contemporary sexual issues. Cross-listed as WGS 4763.
Likely Sections: Regular and Honors
Likely Instructor: Eric Cave (ecave@astate.edu)
***PAST*** Syllabus (download): Click Here
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Defining Race (PHIL 4773)
Biological, constructivist, and denial theories of race and their moral and political ramifications for racism, affirmative action, and hate crime legislation. Prerequisite, PHIL 1103.
Readings in Philosophy (PHIL 480V)
Independent readings for advanced students only. Must have consent of department chair. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours credit.
Special Topics in Philosophy (PHIL 4883)
Advanced study of selected topics in philosophy. Content will vary. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 hours credit. Prerequisite, 9 hours of philosophy.
Recent Topics:
AI & Us (Spring 2024)
Philosophy of Cognitive Science (Fall 2023)
Animal Minds (Spring 2022)
Philosophy of Cognitive Science (Fall 2021)
Animal Minds (Spring 2020)
Philosophy of Sport (Spring 2019)
Experimental Philosophy (Spring 2018)
