PHIL 151 – LOGIC, THE ART OF REASONING

What are the differences between good arguments and bad ones? What rules and principles should we use in our own reasoning, and how can we identify flaws in other people’s arguments? In this subject, we will study a variety of techniques for evaluating arguments, distinguishing good arguments from bad ones, recognising common flaws in reasoning, and assessing evidence.

PHIL 218 – ETHICS: GOOD, BAD AND EVIL

This subject provides a basic grounding in ethics. You will be introduced to a range of influential ethical theories, and you will consider whether there are moral facts or whether morality is subjective. You will examine some issues in moral psychology, such as the structure of autonomy, the relationship between reason and desire, the role of intuition, the nature of happiness and of evil.

PHIL 236 – PHILOSOPHY IN FILM AND LITERATURE & GAMES

Great films and works of literature are a perfect medium for exploring philosophical questions. In this subject we will engage with central philosophical topics in metaphysics, epistemology and ethics by examining a choice selection of great films and literary works. These works provide spurs for philosophical reflection and a target for philosophical investigations. This is a natural pathway for anyone without a prior background in philosophy to explore deeper questions of lasting concern through familiar media.

PHIL 237 – PHILOSOPHY OF RACE AND GENDER

This subject provides an introduction to philosophical research on gender and race. We will examine multi-cultural work on topics such as gender diversity, racialization, and contemporary trans theory. We will critically assess the utility of a philosophical understanding of the dynamics of gender and race for doing social justice work and for grounding political claims. We will explore how sociocultural assumptions about gender and race can influence research in science and medicine, and reflect on the value of diversity in research communities across the university.

PHIL 256 – ENVIRONMENTAL PHILOSOPHY

How should people relate to other animals, nature, and the environment more broadly? This subject consists of an introductory survey of ethical and other philosophical issues related to animals, nature, and the environment. We will examine a range of practical problems such as overpopulation, climate change, the threat of mass extinctions, and the problems arising from ever-growing levels of consumption, along with a variety of theoretical approaches to these issues.

PHIL 319 – POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

This subject examines core themes of political philosophy, such as justice, power, pluralism, inequality and tolerance, and covers essential theories such as Marxism, liberalism, communitarianism and cosmopolitanism.

PHIL 328 – PHILOSOPHY AT WORK

This capstone subject in philosophy focuses on the role that philosophers can play in work outside of university teaching and research. We work with innovative new companies to explore ways in which philosophy can contribute to managing the complex problems concerning the environment, health and medicine, social justice, education, and the development and use of new technology. This experience will highlight the skills you have developed through studying philosophy and allow you to begin to plan a successful career as a university graduate.