This course will explore a range of ethical dilemmas with an eye towards living the best life. How should I live? What actions are right and wrong? How should I treat myself and others? In this class, we will consider these and other issues by investigating practical problems in American life including human rights, the environment, hunger and poverty, war and violence, racial and ethnic discrimination, gender roles and marriage, abortion, and euthanasia. This course fulfills the American History and Government general education requirement.

An introduction to the language and logical structure of arguments, the principles of sound reasoning, and application of these principles in a variety of contexts.

A critical survey from the perspective of moral theory of businesses and business practices. Topics vary but usually include some of the following: Whether the sole moral obligation of businesses is to make money; whether certain standard business practices, e.g., the creation of wants through advertising, are moral; whether businesses ought to be compelled, e.g., to protect the environment or participate in affirmative action programs.

Same as GERON 2256. An examination of ethical issues in health care practice and clinical research and in public policies affecting health care. Topics include: abortion, euthanasia, health care, experimentation, informed consent and the right to health care.

This course is an accessible introduction to the historical and contemporary perspectives on happiness and the meaning of life in philosophy. It examines the nature of happiness by focusing on three major theories: happiness as pleasure, happiness as excellence and happiness as desire satisfaction. Other issues examined may include the relevance of virtue for happiness, the experience machine argument, the best way to pursue happiness as a personal or a policy goal, and other related topics.

An examination of science: what makes science special? Topics may include (but are not limited to): empiricism and of induction; paradigms and revolutions; explanation, causation and laws; realism versus instrumentalism; critiques of science such as those of feminism or postmodernism; and reductionism - ultimately is it all just physics?

Prerequisite: Consent of department. Independent study through readings, reports, and conferences. This is a content course and may be taken again up to a total of 6 credit hours with consent of instructor and department chair.

Prerequisites: Consent of the instructor. An advanced introduction to the philosophy of science for advanced undergraduates in philosophy and graduate and professional students. Topics covered include scientific method, confirmation, explanation, the nature of theories, scientific progress, science criticism, ethics in science, and science and religion.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. May be repeated once for credit with the consent of the instructor and the department chair.