PH 101: PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY
INSTRUCTOR: Eric Buck
TO BE OFFERED:
Section 003, Monday & Wednesday 11:20 a.m. - 12:35 p.m.
Section 005, Monday & Thursday 12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Learn philosophy and ethics in three different ways in spring 2015.
• By learning about philosophical maps of life, fields of knowledge, the superior human powers, and analysis of
problems of life. Become un-perplexed.
• From the analysis of experience, e.g., study a painting, wait and hurry, recall being ‘bad,’ go fishing for your soul. All
for the sake of the extraordinary in the ordinary.
• From the study of a philosophical system of metaphysics and ethics, namely Benedict Spinoza’s Ethics. Whose mind is
it anyway and what’s God got to do with it?
There’ll be a lot of writing, even more reading, good stretches of discussion, and some lecture.
This is Prof. Eric Buck’s 18th year teaching philosophy. These are some of the books he loves most. Join the discussion.
(Spring 2015)
PH 101: PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY
INSTRUCTOR: Chong Choe-Smith
TO BE OFFERED:
Section 012, Tuesday & Friday 11:20 a.m. - 12:35 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course takes a topical approach to philosophy by considering several foundational problems in epistemology,
metaphysics, and ethics. During the course of the semester, we will cover a wide variety of topics including the
definition of knowledge, the mind-body problem, the problem of evil, freedom and moral responsibility, and several
problems in ethics. We will consider important contributions to the literature on these topics from historical and
contemporary philosophers. The general objective of this course is to introduce students to philosophy, philosophical
methods and tools, important philosophers and their views, and also help students to develop skills to think critically
and independently about the big questions of life.
(Spring 2015)
PH 101: PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY
INSTRUCTOR: Jacqueline Gately
TO BE OFFERED:
Section 006, Monday & Wednesday 3:35 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.
Section 007, Monday & Wednesday 5:00 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course explores issues that philosophers have traditionally considered, including morality, reality, and knowledge.
We will begin by discussing what philosophy is and why people engage in it. Through an overview of the history of
Western philosophy, with an emphasis on the development of ethics, we will examine three philosophical time periods
(ancient, modern, and contemporary) by studying some of the major figures in each period. This will allow students to
examine the similarities and differences of the philosophers’ arguments, as well as their own, on a variety of topics
through in-class discussions as well as written work.
(Spring 2015)
PH 101: PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY
INSTRUCTOR: James B. Hart
TO BE OFFERED:
Section 018, Wednesday & Friday 8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Section 019, Wednesday & Friday 9:55 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course to focus solely on moral issues. Part will be an overview of the classic ethical theories of Western philosophy
(Kant, Mill, Aristotle, Hobbes, etc.). Part will be an application of these theories to contemporary moral questions
(immigration, abortion, torture, among others). There will be significant student presentations and interaction with
special emphasis on critical reading and writing techniques.
(Spring 2015)
PH 101: PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY
INSTRUCTOR: Ranjoo Herr
TO BE OFFERED:
Section 014, Tuesday & Thursday 2:10 p.m. -3:25 p.m.
Section 015, Tuesday & Thursday 3:35 p.m. -4:50 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The aim of the course is to teach you to think critically, reflectively, and deeply with an open-mind. This is what the
philosophical method enables you to do. Philosophy is the discipline that has developed the philosophical method to
perfection. The ability to think critically, reflectively and deeply with an open-mind is an invaluable asset highly valued
by leaders of the world, whether in academia, politics, law, or business.
Bentley University emphasizes ethics and social responsibility of business people. Therefore, this course will help you
think critically, reflectively, and deeply with an open-mind by focusing on moral philosophy, which examines
fundamentals of ethics and social responsibility. First, questions about egoism and relativism will be considered in depth.
Secondly, two major ethical theories of utilitarianism and deontology will be examined. Thirdly, in order to show how
the two theories can be applied to real life problems, highly debated contemporary ethical issues, such as animal rights,
gun ownership, abortion, and consumption will be discussed.
Classes will be discussion-oriented following the philosophical method. I expect you to have done the readings for each
class by the time you come to class so that class discussions are informed and focused. Quizzes will be administered to
ensure that you do the daily readings and prepare yourself for each class. Class discussions will not cover the entire
reading material, but rather focus on its major points.
(Spring 2015)
PH 101: PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY
INSTRUCTOR: Jesse Hughes
TO BE OFFERED:
Section 002 ,Monday 9:55 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. & Thursday 11:20 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a broad introduction to philosophy, in which we will touch on many traditional subjects. We will begin with a
section on epistemology (What stuff can we know and how?) and metaphysics (What stuff is there anyway?). This
section includes an introduction to philosophy of self (Did yesterday really happen?) and artificial intelligence (Can a
machine think?). Our second section is an overview of classical ethical theories (What should one do? Why should one
try to be good anyway?), and our final section discusses certain problems of applied ethics (Is abortion morally
acceptable? What moral duties apply in a state of war?)
(Spring 2015)
PH 101: PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY
INSTRUCTOR: Carolyn Magid
TO BE OFFERED:
Section 001, Monday 9:55 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. & Thursday 11:20 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
Section 004, Monday & Thursday 12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this course we will study important philosophical theories which answer moral questions about how people should
live and how societies should function. We will explore the theories in the context of their application to difficult moral
choices about obligation to others, killing and violence, and inequality and difference. We will also use what we have
learned about moral theory and reasoning, supplemented by new reading and additional research on line, to prepare
and hold debates about several very controversial contemporary moral issues.
(Spring 2015)
PH 101: PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY
INSTRUCTOR: Elena Matakova-Pantcheva
TO BE OFFERED:
Section 008, Monday & Wednesday 5:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is an introduction to Philosophy with an emphasis on Morality and Ethics. We begin with the question:
"What is Philosophy and philosophical reasoning?" We review the key terms, topics and questions and examine their
meaning and implication. We reflect on the most influential philosophical and ethical concepts and draw a line of
comparison between tradition and modernity. We seek answers to the questions: What is the Good and the Right and
why should one be moral?" and "What is the good life and how to live it?"
Our goal is to create an aura of critical thinking and discussion of both theoretical and practical reasoning and to learn
how to question the world and ourselves, to think critically and to resolve controversial moral issues.
(Fall 2011)
PH 101: PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY
INSTRUCTOR: Jason L. Megill
TO BE OFFERED:
Section 016, Tuesday & Thursday 3:35 p.m.-4:50 p.m.
Section 017, Tuesday & Thursday 5:00p.m.-6:15 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
We will study several of the core areas of Philosophy, though there will be a special emphasis on Ethics. We start by
examining most of the major ethical theories: Utilitarianism, Kant, Aristotle, Ethical Subjectivism, and Divine Command
Theory. We then consider a number of topics in Applied Ethics, including abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment,
genetic enhancement, and just war theory. We will also cover some topics in Political philosophy (e.g., how should
wealth be distributed), Philosophy of Religion (e.g., does God exist), and Metaphysics and Philosophy of Mind (e.g.,
could a machine think?).
(Spring 2015)
PH 101: PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY
INSTRUCTOR: Linda Paglierani
TO BE OFFERED:
Section 009, Tuesday & Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Section 010, Tuesday & Thursday, 9:55 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
To examine, analyze, consider, compare ways of philosophical thinking. To study and apply the kinds of thinking that are
associated with the various branches of philosophy. To apply systematic philosophical approaches to issues of everyday
life, such as in situations of Ethics, or matters of justice, freedom, and responsibility, as well as in areas of Epistemology,
Metaphysics, Perception, and Aesthetics, for example. We will consider cases that challenge students to question the
sufficient and necessary choices people make to live a life worth living, with meaning and purpose. We will consider the
relationship of the individual to the group, society, culture, history, and in content with world view. We will study these
topics in relation to the themes that are part of the history of ideas in Philosophy, to include Naturel Nurture theory, and
the variations of influence that develop character and free will. Students will have a cross section of interdisciplinary
readings in the history of ideas in this discipline and in its thematic content to explore ideas and ways of thinking related
to our study. Additional materials and forums for discussion beyond course content will illustrate our study. All topics
will have direct application to Bentley students.
(Fall 2014)
PH 101: PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY
INSTRUCTOR: Nicolas Rofougaran
TO BE OFFERED:
Section E01, Thursday 6:30 p.m. – 8:50 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is an introduction to the basic notions and thinking processes of philosophy. Negotiation, however, is the
lens through which this course approaches philosophical issues. As a negotiator in any situation my dilemma is the
following: in order to create value, I must reveal information about my interests, but revealing my interests can put me
at a disadvantage in distributing value. Indeed, striking a balance between effective strategy and truthfulness is also an
ethical challenge. We will explore issues of negotiation ethics in business, problems due to adversarial science in
environmental disputes, and questions posed by the social impacts of negotiation, in order to discover the main theories
of philosophy in ethics, epistemology, and political philosophy, respectively.
This course has two sections: 1. Philosophy of Knowledge; 2. Moral and Political Philosophy. Accordingly, this course has
two sets of goals: to formulate, discuss, and provide elements of answers to questions such as: What is knowledge?
What is truth? Is knowledge possible at all? Does knowledge require certainty? What are the sources of knowledge? for
the first section; What makes an action right or wrong? What things are intrinsically good? Are ethical values intrinsic
values? Are moral standards objective or subjective? What is justice? What is freedom? What is equality? Are freedom
and equality the basis for social justice? for the second section.
(Fall 2014)
PH 101: PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY
INSTRUCTOR: Axel Seemann
TO BE OFFERED:
Section H01, Tuesday & Thursday 5:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Two of the most important questions in philosophy are:
1) What is the mind?
2) What is moral responsibility?
The two questions are interconnected. We need to understand what the mind is in order to understand what it means
to have free will. And we need to understand free will in order to explain the possibility of moral responsibility. In this
course, we will explore this connection.
(Spring 2015)
PH 101: PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY
INSTRUCTOR: Lorne Smith
TO BE OFFERED:
Section 011, Tuesday & Friday, 11:20 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
Section 013, Tuesday & Friday, 12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Rational belief acquisition forms the core of the course's concerns. Our decisions about what to believe determine our
behavior. Making belief decisions thus constitutes a central undertaking in our lives; making the right decisions
determines how well we live. Argumentation plays a crucial role in our decisions about what to believe, if we want to be
rational. But we acquire false beliefs as well as true ones, often through persuasion, and we want to avoid being
persuaded to accept false beliefs. So the course considers the conditions under which we should not be persuaded.
Beliefs, arguments, and persuasion form the subject matters of epistemology, logic, and rhetoric -- the course's main
subjects. But what about morality? The course will also consider whether we can be rational about morality
(Spring 2015)
PH 131: BUSINESS ETHICS: PHILOSOPHY OF WORK
INSTRUCTOR: Carolyn Magid
TO BE OFFERED:
Section 001, Monday & Wednesday 11:20 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The world of work has changed and is changing dramatically for U.S. workers, as well as workers around the world.
Trends including technological change, outsourcing, off-shoring, expansion of free trade, global recession, and increased
diversification of the U.S. workforce raise major moral questions about work.
PH131: Philosophy of Work looks at work from the perspective of workers. You can expect to work at a number of
different jobs over the course of your lifetime. How should employers and the government address moral issues you and
other workers will deal with at work? What do workers have a right to expect?
Studying current developments and moral theory, we will explore and try to answer moral questions about: fair pay and
working conditions, the impact of technological change and other trends associated with globalization (including job
change and job loss) on the U.S. workforce, managing work and family life, race and gender discrimination, the value
placed on diversity, meaningful work, and more.
Texts (many of which will be on line and accessible through Blackboard) include current cases, a review of important
moral theories, commentary by philosophers, policy analysts and others, and a novel. Course writing includes case writeups and essays. Every student will present a case in class. Classes will explore course topics through discussion,
occasional lectures, case presentations, and videos. The course is designated Diversity Intensive. If you have further
questions, please email cmagid@bentley.edu.
PREREQUISITE: PH 101 OR
INSTRUCTOR'S PERMISSION
(Spring 2015)
PH 133: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ETHICS
INSTRUCTOR: Chong Choe-Smith
TO BE OFFERED:
Section 001, Tuesday & Thursday 9:55 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course on the ethics of international business will begin with a brief background in the different approaches to and
the different ethical and political concepts and theories relevant to evaluating issues in international business. We will
contrast utilitarian and deontological approaches to ethical issues and ethical decision-making. We will consider two
main theories of corporate responsibility, namely, shareholder and stakeholder theories. We will also consider key
concepts in the international context such as globalization, global justice, legitimacy, and international law. With this
background in mind, we will spend most of the semester considering case studies and issues in business ethics that arise
in an international context. This course will cover issues including corporate responsibility, labor and production
standards, living wage, trade policies, lending and borrowing, development, human rights, cultural diversity, and the
environment. The general objective of this course is to give students a background in ethical decision-making as applied
to issues in international business and an opportunity to think, write, and work together on projects on some of the
most pressing issues facing the global economy today.
PREREQUISITE: PH 101 OR
INSTRUCTOR'S PERMISSION
(Spring 2015)
PH 134: HEALTHCARE ETHICS
INSTRUCTOR: Ann Reeves
TO BE OFFERED:
Section E01, Tuesday 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course has three primary objectives. Through the presentations of and interactions with guest lecturers and the
guided discussions of cases, videotapes and readings (with an occasional lecture), you should:
A. Become acquainted with some of the theories, methodology, and terminology traditionally identified with the branch
of philosophy called ethics, especially as they relate to issues that arise in the context of medical policy, research, and
practice;
B. Clarify your own ideas and become aware of the views of others about issues involving the rights and responsibilities
of medical professionals and their clients, the patient-provider relationship, the right to refuse and/or demand
treatment, active euthanasia, withholding or withdrawing treatment from incompetent patients, advance directives,
the business of medicine, including pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and long term health care facilities, and the
just allocation of health care and its resources, as well as learn about and investigate concepts central to medical ethics
such as (but not limited to) truth telling, informed consent, autonomy, and paternalism; and
C. Begin to ask many questions and think in such a way that you will be more able to recognize and analyze some of the
moral issues and dilemmas that arise in relation to health care.
PREREQUISITE: PH 101 OR
INSTRUCTOR'S PERMISSION
Not open to students that completed PH 135 Medical Ethics
(Spring 2013)
PH 217: CONSCIOUSNESS
INSTRUCTOR: Axel Seemann
TO BE OFFERED:
Section 001, Tuesday & Thursday 2:10 p.m. – 3:25p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
We are conscious at every moment of our waking lives; it is a ubiquitous feature of our existence. But what does it mean
to be conscious? And how can it be that unspectacular physical events, perhaps neural discharges, give rise to pain and
love, hate and fear? In this course we will explore some of these questions, drawing on both philosophical and
psychological sources.
PREREQUISITE: PH 101 OR
INSTRUCTOR'S PERMISSION
(Spring 2015)
PH 251: ETHICS
INSTRUCTOR: Jesse Hughes
TO BE OFFERED:
Section 001, Monday & Thursday 12:45 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An examination of theoretical issues in ethics, with emphasis on primary readings, both contemporary and classical.
Subjects include relativism and objectivism, the conflict between prudence and morality, moral realism, and the relation
between morality and religion. An opportunity to talk about why (or whether) morality matters, what it means to be
good, and whether morality really is, in the final analysis, just a matter of opinion.
PREREQUISITE: PH 101 OR
INSTRUCTOR'S PERMISSION
(Spring 2015)
PH 311: SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY
INSTRUCTOR: Robert Frederick
TO BE OFFERED:
Section 001, Monday & Wednesday 5:00 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
PREREQUISITE: PH 101 OR
INSTRUCTOR'S PERMISSION