Introduction to the perennial issues in Western philosophy, such as knowledge and skepticism, the existence of God, the problem of evil, freedom of the will and the foundations of morality. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and the development of understanding through reasoned argument. Exclusion: PHIL 101, 102

Examination of the basic principles of constructing good arguments and criticizing bad ones. Among the topics covered are deductive and inductive reasoning, appeals to emotion, personal attack, uses and abuses of expert opinion and techniques for converting everyday reasoning into standard logical form. Emphasis is placed on applying the reasoning skills learned in the course to evaluating ethical, scientific, statistical, and legal arguments.

Provides an in-depth examination of contemporary bioethical issues, such as the definition of a person, determination of life and death, euthanasia, doctor-assisted suicide, abortion and maternal-fetal conflict, prenatal diagnosis and intervention, problems in the physician-patient relationship, new reproductive technologies, research on animals, genetic engineering and human cloning.

Examination of the central moral issues raised by business activities and practice. It begins with an exploration of various utilitarian and respect- for-persons ethics and traces out the very different results they yield in ethical decision making. Then, by way of case studies, it examines a host of specific business-related issues: employeerights, affirmative action, “reverse discrimination,” fairness in advertising and the duties of corporations in protecting the environment. Same as BUSI 215

Aims to examine and critically evaluate various philosophical themes and problems by means of the visual medium of film. It will be divided into two sections. The first half will consider films that explore the nature of knowledge and reality. The second half will consider films that look at how we ought to act in the world in which we find ourselves.

Introduction to the legal system of Canada from a Christian perspective, including the interaction between church and state. Students will learn about the foundations of Canadian law, including the Constitution, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the role of the courts. Topics covered will include criminal law, contract law, tort law, and property law. Through the course, students will develop a basic understanding of the Canadian legal system, its operation, and the underlying principles that guide it. The course will also provide an overview of the legal profession in Canada, including the roles and responsibilities of lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals.

An examination of the apologetic system of C.S. Lewis, as found in his major philosophical works. The course is divided into two parts. In the first, Lewis’ arguments for theism based on reason, morality, and desire are examined. In the second, the case for Christianity emerging from his work on naturalism, miracles, and the so-called “Trilemma Argument” is explored.

Examines the Christian worldview and various issues in Christian apologetics. After considering the biblical basis for Christian apologetics and various methods for engaging in it, a positive case for the Christian faith will be developed using arguments for the existence of God, the deity of Jesus Christ and the divine authority of the Bible. Addresses objections to Christian belief, such as the presence of apparent discrepancies in the Bible, the alleged conflict between science and the Bible, and common misunderstandings of Christianity’s teachings as evidenced in the writings of the New Atheists.

Systematic study of contemporary issues related to the nature of reality. These include universals and particulars, the necessary and the possible, causality, identity through time and the realism/antirealism debate. Wherever possible, contemporary views will be related to their classical sources in the history of philosophy. Prerequisites: PHIL 171, 201

Systematic study of contemporary issues related to the nature of knowledge, belief and truth. These include warrant and justification, foundationalism, coherentism, skepticism, perception, memory and a priori knowledge. Wherever possible, contemporary views are related to their classical sources in the history of philosophy. Prerequisites: PHIL 171, 201

Introduction to the problems, positions and arguments of contemporary moral philosophy. Through readings from classical and contemporary writers, students are confronted with the ultimate questions of morality. What do “right” and “wrong” mean? Can moral beliefs be rationally assessed and justified? Are moral truths absolute or relative? Why be moral? What is the good or virtuous life? How ought we to live? Prerequisites: PHIL 171, 201 Exclusion PHIL 211

An in-depth investigation of our ethical relationship to the environment and the ecological systems of which we are a part. Focus will be on four central issues—the relation of the environment to (1) skeptical and leading theories in ethics, (2) the moral standing of animals, future generations, and the natural world itself, (3) theories of ecological justice, and finally (4) the role of various eco-political movements in shaping the climate change debate. Prerequisites: PHIL 171, 201

Undertakes an investigation of some of the problems in the philosophy of religion, including the interface between faith and reason, religious epistemology, divine attributes, arguments for God’s existence, miracles, the problem of religious diversity, and the problem of evil. Prerequisites: PHIL 171, 201

Introduction to the central issues in contemporary philosophy of science. Topics include the definition and limits of science, the nature and kinds of scientific explanation, the formation and use of scientific ideas, paradigm shifts and theory change, options in the realist/antirealist debate, laws of nature and the philosophical aspects of evolution. Prerequisites: PHIL 171, 201

Provides an introduction to problems, classical, medieval, modern, and contemporary, in philosophical aesthetics. A case-based approach is used to explore a variety of issues, including the nature of art and art works; beauty, sublimity and aesthetic experience; meaning and interpretation; art and ethics; criticism, interpretation and evaluation. Cases are drawn from a cross-section of the arts, such as painting, music, literature, sculpture, dance, and film. Prerequisite: PHIL 171 Same as ARTM 303

What is a human being? Are human beings simply material objects? Are they a combination of matter and soul? What is consciousness and how can it be explained? In this class, students will be introduced to these questions and will explore various answers to these questions from the history of philosophy and from contemporary discussions. Students will engage the answers provided in class as a means of formulating their own understanding of the connection between mind and brain and mind and body. Prerequisites: PHIL 171, 201

Introduction to the philosophy of law from a Christian perspective. Students will explore the concepts and theories that underpin the legal system, including the nature of law, legal reasoning, and the relationship between law and morality. The course will also examine the historical and contemporary debates surrounding the role of religion in law and society. Legal Positivism and Natural Law will both be explored to see how each has shaped legal reasoning. Students will also have the opportunity to analyze various legal systems of the world and compare and contrast them with the legal system of Christianity. The course will be taught from a Christian perspective and will encourage students to think critically about the intersection of faith and law. Prerequisite: PHIL 201

What is the state? Why should citizens allow the state to exercise control over various aspects of life within that state? Are there limits to the exercise of that control, and if so, how does one determine them? What type of obligations, if any, do governments have toward the poor? How does one understand the government’s role in protecting various rights of its people? Political philosophy is not primarily about politics, but instead is about the foundation of societies that allows political discourse to be possible. In this class, students will be introduced to these questions and will explore various answers to these questions from the history of philosophy and from contemporary discussions. Students will engage the answers provided in class as a means of formulating their own understanding of the state and its relationship to the people in it. Prerequisites: PHIL 171, 201

This independent study option is open to third- and fourth-year students who wish to explore a topic not covered in the regular curriculum and in which the professor has an interest and expertise and is willing to direct studies. Prerequisites: PHIL 171, 201 Permission required

Provides a substantial treatment of an important Platonic dialogue by emphasizing both its philosophical contributions and its historical/ dramatic context. Begins with an overview of some characteristic philosophical themes and controversies found across the Platonic corpus. Includes a careful investigation of the structure, style and arguments of that dialogue. Prerequisites: PHIL 171, 201

Provides a sustained treatment of a significant treatise of Aristotle. Begins with an overview of important themes, problems and distinctions across the Aristotelian corpus. Offers a close and philosophically critical reading of a treatise, paying special attention to how its structure, style and arguments contribute to its overall aims. Prerequisites: PHIL 171, 201

Critical examination of the philosophical traditions and developments of the 17th and 18th centuries. The two main traditions of this era, British empiricism, which stressed the role of sense experience in the knowing process, and continental rationalism, which emphasized human reason, both sought secure foundations for scientific, ethical and religious knowledge. The advance of these traditions will be traced through selected readings from major figures, Descartes and Leibniz (on the rationalist side), Locke and Hume (on the side of empiricism). Includes a careful consideration of Kant’s Copernican Revolution, synthesizing these great traditions, and its implications for the postmodern world. Prerequisites: PHIL 171, 201

Beginning with Aquinas’ reflections on the nature of God, traces Aquinas’ thought as it progresses in the Summa Theologiae and the Summa contra Gentiles in order to examine the philosophical problems that perplexed Aquinas, and his remarkable solutions to these problems. Prerequisites: BSTH 101, 102, 270, PHIL 171 Same as BSTH 364

Focuses on the major philosophical developments between the ancient Greeks and the medieval period. Special emphasis will be given to examining the influence of Plato and Aristotle on the Christian thought of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, in particular their views of the relationship between faith and reason. Prerequisites: PHIL 171, 201