Philosophy (PHIL)

A philosophical and psychological examination of good reasoning, the origins of judgment errors and biases, the impact of reasoning on individuals and societies, and the methods for improving judgment.

A realistic, evidence-based look at the powers and challenges in making science policy, looking at such topics as group polarization, conspiracy theories, deference to experts and “judging from the gut”. Our goal is to identify the reasoning skills and knowledge necessary in order for citizens and political officials to reason reliably about scientific matters.

A richly illustrated examination of the evidence for the nature and origin of language, from both philosophical and psychological perspectives. The course will cover such topics as animal communication, reference, the nature of meaning, and the biological basis of language.

An in-depth study of a single outstanding philosopher, chosen by the instructor. The focus of the course will be announced when the course is scheduled.

This course offers an introduction to philosophical issues concerning the nature of the mind. We’ll explore the assumptions about the mind that shape theories in philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and critically examine key questions in these areas. By the end of this course, students will have critically evaluated varying philosophical frameworks and developed their own views on the relationship between minds, bodies, and machines.

This course examines the nature, structure and experience of health, disease and illness, focusing on various philosophical and policy issues in biomedical research, theory, and clinical practice. Topics include evidence in clinical trials, bias in medical care, privatized medicine, artificial intelligence in medicine, disability, mental illness, self-narrative in diagnoses, and more. Students will engage major texts and case studies in the history and philosophy of medicine, with the objective of providing a theoretical and philosophical framework for analyzing, evaluating and generating solutions to contemporary debates and experiences relating to health, disease and illness.

A study of the fundamental issues of moral philosophy.

In this course, we will investigate philosophical questions about the nature of technology and communication, as well as ethical questions related to a broad range of specific communication-related technologies. Topics include algorithmic bias and fairness, privacy and surveillance, consent and manipulation, and the environmental impacts of digital technologies. Students will engage with case studies that require applying ethical principles to complex situations.

In the course, we will discuss philosophical and ethical questions related to artificial intelligence (AI) and reflect about possible future developments. The course gives an introduction to the way ethical arguments, concepts and principles are used in debates relating to AI and robots. Topics to be discussed include: What is artificial intelligence? What is the role of algorithmic bias in hiring processes and facial recognition? What would it mean for AI to have capabilities like sentience, emotions, consciousness, or a mind? What are good rules for decision-making in self-driving cars? How do we perceive and talk about AI and robots? What is the moral and legal status of robots?.

How should researchers and society proceed with gene editing technologies, stem cell research, neurotechnology, human enhancement, and the challenges of climate change? In this course we will investigate ethical aspects and social implications of recent developments in the life sciences, biomedical engineering and biomedicine. The course gives an introduction to ethical theories, concepts and principles and the way ethical arguments are used in current debates relating to science and technology.

The course gives an introduction to ethical aspects of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students learn how concepts, principles, and ethical arguments are used in current debates relating to AI. The focus is on the concept of trustworthy AI and its ethical principles and requirements including respect for human autonomy, prevention of harm, fairness, explicability, safety, privacy and data governance, non-discrimination, transparency, societal and environmental wellbeing, and accountability. The students will learn a use-cased based approach to assess the trustworthiness of AI in practice.

In this course, we will investigate philosophical questions about data science such as "What is data?", "How can data serve as evidence?", as well as ethical questions related to data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the environmental impacts of computing.

This course covers several social contract theories and applies them to contemporary and hypothetical technologies commonly referred to as “artificial intelligence.” We will use the social contract lens to think through questions related to various applied topics, including libertarian paternalism through algorithmic nudging, algorithmic bias, the role of expertise in a time of widely accessible AI chatbots, the politics of online platforms, and digital surveillance.

An examination of the conception of "mind" as opposed to body implications for psychology, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience.

An investigation into a topic of current interest in philosophy; which will be announced by the instructor when the course is scheduled.

Supervised individual research for advanced students. **Instructor permission required.**

A study of the fundamental issues of moral philosophy.

An investigation into a topic of current or enduring interest in philosophy, which will be announced by the instructor when the course is scheduled. Graduate standing required.

In the course, we will discuss philosophical and ethical questions related to artificial intelligence (AI) and reflect about possible future developments. The course gives an introduction to the way ethical arguments, concepts and principles are used in debates relating to AI and robots. Topics to be discussed include: What is artificial intelligence? What is the role of algorithmic bias in hiring processes and facial recognition? What would it mean for AI to have capabilities like sentience, emotions, consciousness, or a mind? What are good rules for decision-making in self-driving cars? How do we perceive and talk about AI and robots? What is the moral and legal status of robots?.

How should researchers and society proceed with gene editing technologies, stem cell research, neurotechnology, human enhancement, and the challenges of climate change? In this course we will investigate ethical aspects and social implications of recent developments in the life sciences, biomedical engineering and biomedicine. The course gives an introduction to ethical theories, concepts and principles and the way ethical arguments are used in current debates relating to science and technology.

This a research hours course for PhD candidates who need to consult with a philosopher on their dissertation.