In this course, we will consider philosophical questions arising from close scrutiny of the natural sciences. These questions include, what (if anything) is the scientific method? What can history tell us about the practice of science and the process of scientific change? What role/s should social and political values play in scientific inquiry, if any? And what should we make of the problem of “trust” in science?

In designing the course, I have tried to incorporate a diverse range of authors and viewpoints, and to achieve a mix of classic and cutting-edge topics. (Syllabus available upon request)

In this course, we will examine the value and moral status of non-human entities: other animals, plants, “natural spaces,” etc. We will also explore the nature and extent of our obligations to these things. Our ultimate goal will be to answer the oldest question in philosophy: how should we live? But whereas traditional moral philosophy has focused on our dealings with other people, we will cast a wider net. Special topics include animal welfare, the idea of “nature,” conservation, environmental displacement, food sovereignty, technological optimism, and hope and loss.

(Syllabus available upon request)

Philosophy is one of the oldest and most diverse human activities. It encompasses everything from reflections on the basic structure of the universe to attempts to think through specific problems (e.g., how should we regulate offensive speech, if at all?). Although philosophy is often stereotyped as a leisure activity—Bertrand Russell called it “an intellectual sight-seeing adventure”—much philosophy is interested in ameliorating social problems, or instructing us as to how we should organize our lives. Other philosophy really is a sight-seeing adventure with no practical consequences to speak of, but this just goes to show that there is something in philosophy for everybody.

My goal in this class is to convey something of the fascination and urgency of philosophical inquiry. If you leave the class thinking that philosophy is relevant to your life, and that it has some role to play in resolving the problems that confront our communities and our world, then I will consider the course to have been a success. And if you think that philosophy is also good fun, then all the better! 

(Syllabus available upon request)