Philosophy
OFFICE: 7002 H&SS, Muir College
Web site: http://philosophy.ucsd.edu
Professors
Courses
Introduction to the Department
Philosophy addresses some of the most basic questions humans ask about
the world. Some questions are very broad, such as how can minds know about
the external world, themselves, and other minds? How can we arrive at
reasonable answers to ethical questions about right and wrong? What distinguishes
science from other kinds of knowledge and are there limits to science?
What is the role of moral choice and values in human life? Do standards
of truth and logic apply in areas such as religion, art, politics, and
law?
Philosophy also seeks answers to particular problems in specific areas
of science, medicine, law, ethics, and technology. For example, it explores
the ways that modern physics impacts our notions of space, time, causation,
and nature itself. It considers the ways that neuroscience and genetics
impact the traditional ideas about free will and responsibility. It debates
the limits of democratic governments in regulating individuals conduct.
It wrestles with problems about the right to die and the varied responsibilities
of medical professionals. It inquires into the relation between science
and religion. Related issues concern privacy, the limits of private property,
and who should have access to what information.
Career Guidance
Philosophy is a broad field with diverse subfields. Some students may
want to pursue a general course of study for the major, sampling courses
across several of these distinct subfields. This strategy develops a solid
foundation for graduate work in philosophy and for any career that requires
breadth of knowledge, intellectual flexibility, as well as communicative
and analytic skills.
Other students may wish to pursue a more specialized program of studies.
Below are descriptions of several areas of emphasis within philosophy.
These illustrate the possibilities of developing your own coherent and
focused set of courses that fulfill the requirements for the major in
ways that are tailored to your specific intellectual and career interests.
Philosophy is preparation for a wide range of careersincluding science,
law, medicine, teaching, business, and public policy.
Choosing a philosophy major is an excellent way to follow a disciplined
and rigorous course of study that joins the breadth of a traditional college
education with specialization in a chosen area.
Undergraduate ProgramMajor
The Department of Philosophy offers the degree of bachelor of arts (B.A.)
in philosophy for the undergraduate major. A major in philosophy requires
a total of fifteen philosophy courses, at least twelve of which must be
upper-division (courses numbered 100 and above). Up to two upper-division
courses outside of philosophy can count among the twelve required for
the major if they are drawn from a related field and contribute to the
majors philosophical program; such credit must be approved by the
undergraduate adviser. Honors and directed study courses (Philosophy 191199)
may not be used to satisfy the major requirement of fifteen philosophy
courses. Major requirements may be met by examination.
There is no standard or required introduction to philosophy or the major.
The department offers a variety of lower-division courses and sequences
(numbered 199), any of which could be a suitable introduction to
philosophy.
At the upper-division level, majors are encouraged to take courses in
the central areas of philosophical study:
Metaphysics and Epistemology
Law, Ethics, and Politics
Philosophy of Science and Logic
History of Philosophy
Though many upper-division courses have no prerequisite, any combination
of three lower-division courses would provide a good foundation for taking
most upper-division courses.
Core Requirements for the Major
- History of Philosophy. Majors must complete three courses in the
history of philosophy. At least one course must be in ancient philosophy
(courses 31, 100103) and one course must be in modern philosophy
(courses 3233 and 104107). This requirement can be met by
taking the lower-division sequence 31, 32, 33 or by taking any suitable
combination of courses from the sequences 3133 and 100110.
- Logic. Philosophy 10 and Philosophy 120 are required of all majors.
Because Philosophy 120 is a prerequisite for a variety of upper-division
courses, prospective majors are strongly encouraged to take it and Philosophy
10 as early as possible.
- Moral and Political Philosophy. Majors must take at least one upper-division
course in moral or political philosophy from among Philosophy 160, 161,
166, or 167.
- Metaphysics and Epistemology. Majors must take at least one upper-division
course in traditional areas of analytic philosophy metaphysics,
epistemology, philosophy of language, and philosophy of mindfrom
among Philosophy 130, 132, 134, or 136.
Optional Areas of Emphasis in the Major
The Department of Philosophy offers four optional areas of emphasis within
the major, as described below. Students selecting an optional area of
emphasis for the major must take and pass five of the courses listed under
that area. Courses taken to complete an area of emphasis are counted toward
the fifteen courses required for the major. Particular courses may be
applied both to the completion of the area of emphasis and in fulfillment
of a core requirement for the major. Students should be aware, as they
plan their course of study, that only some of the courses listed for an
area of emphasis will be taught in any given year.
The department encourages students considering a philosophy major to
consult with the philosophy undergraduate student affairs adviser and
the philosophy faculty undergraduate adviser to plan a program of study
that is suitable to their particular interests and needs. The department
Web site http://philosophy.ucsd.edu
provides additional information about courses falling within each area
of emphasis. The optional areas of emphasis are:
- Law, Ethics, and Society
This area targets the nature and source of our moral rights and obligations,
the authority of the state and law, the basis of value and goodness.
Several courses in this area target ethical issues in medicine, the
environment, technological change, economic inequality, and matters
concerning race, gender, class, ethnicity, and nationality. In this
area, students will learn how moral and legal reasoning can reshape
the political debates over abortion, the death penalty, privacy on the
Internet, genetic testing, religious tolerance, free speech, affirmative
action, and other issues.
This area is excellent preparation for law school as well as for postgraduate
study and careers in public policy.
125. Games and Decisions
148. Philosophy and the Environment
152. Philosophy of Social Science
160. Ethical Theory
161. Topics in the History of Ethics
162. Contemporary Moral Issues
163. Biomedical Ethics
164. Technology and Human Values
166. Classics in Political Philosophy
167. Contemporary Political Philosophy
168. Philosophy of Law
169. Feminism and Philosophy
170. Philosophy and Race
182. Marx and Marxism
- Science, Technology, and Medicine
This emphasis focuses on the insights and challenges presented by
science. Modern science and technologies affect our view of ourselves
and of nature, introducing novel promises and problems. For instance,
how do we balance technical, economic, environmental, and ethical
values in making decisions concerning which technologies or drugs
to develop? Modern science has also changed our understanding of nature.
Quantum physics, the genetic revolution, and neuroscience (to name
a few) present problems and have important implications for human
life. Finally, there are questions about science itself. What are
the methods of modern science? Do they vary from one science to another?
Can the sciences be value free?
This area will appeal especially to those students interested in pursuing
careers in philosophy, science, clinical medicine, medical research, the
social sciences, science journalism, and public policy.
123. Philosophy of Logic
145. Philosophy of Science
146. Philosophy of Physics
147. Philosophy of Biology
148. Philosophy and the Environment
149. Philosophy of Psychology
150. Philosophy of Cognitive Sciences
151. Philosophy of Neuroscience
152. Philosophy of Social Science
153. Philosophy of History
163. Biomedical Ethics
164. Technology and Human Values
- Mind, Brain, and Cognitive Sciences
Traditional epistemology (the theory of how and what we know) and
philosophy of mind (the theory of that-which-perceives-and-thinks)
have recently been joined by several scientific disciplines in a collective
search for illuminating theories. Psychology, cognitive neurobiology,
computer science, and sociology have all made explosive contributions
to a tradition as old as Plato and Aristotle. For example, our growing
understanding of the biological brain has given new life to our traditional
attempts to understand the nature of the mind. New accounts of the
various mechanisms of cognitionboth at the cellular and the
social levelshave provided entirely new perspectives on the
nature of consciousness, the self, knowledge and free will, and on
the nature of science itself.
This area is excellent preparation for careers in cognitive science,
neuroscience, artificial intelligence, science journalism, and philosophy.
132. Epistemology
134. Philosophy of Language
136. Philosophy of Mind
138. Consciousness
139. The Nature of Representation
145. Philosophy of Science
147. Philosophy of Biology
149. Philosophy of Psychology
150. Philosophy of Cognitive Sciences
151. Philosophy of Neuroscience
180. Phenomenology
- Historical Perspectives on Philosophy, Science, and Religion
Throughout its history, philosophy has developed in a complex relationship
with the natural sciences and religion. Philosophical ideas have both
contributed to and challenged our understanding of nature and God, and
developments in the sciences and religion have posed new challenges
for philosophical thinking. The historical perspectives emphasis focuses
on the fertile interplay between philosophy, science, and religion in
several key periods: ancient Greece, the Scientific Revolution, and
Enlightenment and post-Enlightenment Europe. The aim is not simply to
document the history of philosophical ideas, but to use this history
as a way of better understanding contemporary debates about the basic
questions of human life.
This area prepares students for postgraduate work in philosophy, and
for any career that requires breadth of knowledge, intellectual flexibility,
as well as communicative and analytical skills.
100. Plato
101. Aristotle
102. Hellenistic Philosophy
104. The Rationalists
105. The Empiricists
106. Kant
107. Hegel
108. Nineteenth-Century Philosophy
109. History of Analytic Philosophy
110. Wittgenstein
161. Topics in the History of Ethics
166. Classics in Political Philosophy
180. Phenomenology
181. Existentialism
182. Marx and Marxism
183. Topics in Continental Philosophy
Grade Rules for Majors/Minors
All courses applied toward the major or minor must be completed with
a grade of C or higher. Further, a GPA of 2.0 must be maintained
in courses applied toward the major or minor. It should be noted that
courses taken under the Pass/Not-Pass (P/NP) grading option cannot be
applied toward the major or minor.
Honors Program
The philosophy department offers an honors program for outstanding students
in the major. Majors who have a 3.7 GPA in philosophy (3.25 overall) at
the end of their junior year and who have taken at least four upper-division
philosophy courses are eligible to apply. Interested students must consult
with a faculty sponsor by the last day of classes during the spring term
of their junior year. Admission to the honors program requires nomination
by a faculty sponsor and approval of the undergraduate adviser. Nominating
Petitions can be obtained from the philosophy department.
In addition to the usual major requirements, an honors student is required
to complete a senior honors thesis by the end of winter quarter. During
the fall and winter quarters, the student will be registered for Philosophy
191 and 192 and will be engaged in thesis research that will be supervised
and evaluated by the students faculty sponsor. A departmental committee
will read and assess the completed thesis and determine if philosophy
honors are to be awarded. Honors students are expected to maintain an
average of 3.7 or better for all work taken in the program. (Qualified
students wishing to participate in the honors program according to a different
timetable than the one described above can apply to do so by petitioning
the undergraduate adviser.)
Transfer Credit
Courses taken at other institutions may be applied toward the major by
petition only. Petitions should be submitted to the undergraduate coordinator,
and must be accompanied by supporting materials (transcripts, syllabi,
course work, etc.). Students are required to submit one petition per transfer
course.
For specific regulations regarding transfer credit for Philosophy 10
(Introduction to Logic), please see the information on the department
Web site: http://philosophy.ucsd.edu.
It is important to note that seven of the twelve upper-division courses
in the major must be taken in the Department of Philosophy at UCSD.
Note: All courses applied towards major must be taken for a letter
grade.
Undergraduate ProgramMinor
The Department of Philosophy offers a minor in philosophy. As with the
major, the minor is an attractive option for a wide range of career paths,
including medicine, law, research in the natural and social sciences,
journalism, education, and government. A minor requires a total of seven
philosophy courses, at least five of which must be upper division. If
choosing an area of emphasis, at least four upper-division courses must
be from the chosen area of emphasis. All courses must be taken for a letter
grade, C-or better.
Advising Office
Students who desire additional information concerning our course offerings
or program may contact individual faculty or the undergraduate adviser
through the department office at 7030 H&SS, (858) 534-3077.
Graduate Program Requirements
The department offers programs leading to the M.A. and Ph.D. It is the
intention of the graduate program to enable the student to obtain an understanding
of diverse traditions and to develop as a philosopher in his or her own
right. To this end, the department offers courses and seminars in the
history of philosophy and in traditional and contemporary philosophical
issues, from a variety of perspectives.
Masters Degree Program
To qualify for a master's degree in philosophy, a student must pass eight
of the distribution requirement seminars as described below, under the
subheading Distribution Requirements. At least one of the
seminars must be from the ethics and political philosophy category, and
no more than four seminars from any one of the five areas may count toward
the masters degree. The student must also complete a masters
research paper, under the direction of a faculty member or his or her
choice, and have it approved by two members of the department faculty.
Although Ph.D. students sometimes elect to complete their studies with
a masters degree, we do not admit students to a masters degree
program.
Doctoral Degree Program
Course Work
During the first two years of residence the students work will
normally total thirty-six units (nine courses) per year. At least twelve
of these units in each year must be graduate philosophy seminars (those
numbered 201-285). The balance may be made up from additional graduate
courses in philosophy, upper-division courses in philosophy (those numbered
100-199), approved upper-division or graduate courses in related departments,
and, if the student is a teaching assistant, Philosophy 500 (Apprentice
Teaching).
After consultation with the graduate adviser, each entering student shall
be assigned a faculty adviser. Students are encouraged to meet with their
faculty adviser periodically to plan their course of study during their
first two years and must meet once a year in the spring to review progress
in the program.
Logic Requirement
During the first term of residence, all entering graduate students will
take an examination designed to demonstrate their level of proficiency
in formal logic. The examination covers the predicate calculus, up to
and including functions, relations, and identity. Students who pass the
examination with a grade of B+ or better have satisfied the first component
of the logic requirement. Students who do not score a B+ or better must
take Philosophy 120 (Symbolic Logic) during the first year of study and
achieve a grade of B+ or better. By the end of the sixth term of residence,
all students must also pass an advanced logic course (Philosophy 121,
122, 211, or another logic class approved by the graduate adviser) with
at least a grade of B+.
Proseminar
In fall quarter of their first year of residence, graduate students shall
take a proseminar designed to introduce them to philosophical methods
and improve their skills at writing and analysis. Enrollment in the proseminar
is limited to first-year students. The proseminar is normally team-taught.
The topics to be covered will address some central area of areas of philosophy
and will vary from year to year. The proseminar is a regular four-unit
seminar and as such may be counted toward satisfaction of the distribution
requirement.
Core Courses
In the following areas, the department shall offer core or
advanced introductory seminars: philosophy of mind, philosophy of language,
philosophy of science, the history of philosophy, epistemology, metaphysics,
and ethics. The department shall offer at least three of these courses
in each academic year. Students must take two of these core courses by
the end of their sixth quarter of residence. Courses taken to satisfy
this requirement may be applied toward the distribution requirement. (A
core course provides a point of entry into a field that is suitable for
graduate students with no prior work in this area of philosophy as well
as students with some background knowledge. A core course need not be
and normally should not be a general survey of the field, but will take
up some central topic. A core course will normally offer students the
option of writing shorter papers rather than one long seminar paper; as
an alternative, a final examination may be offered.)
Distribution Requirements
By the end of the seventh quarter of residence, a student must have completed
ten graduate seminars in philosophy with a grade of B+ or better. The
seminars must be distributed as follows:
- Four seminars in the history of philosophy. At least one of these
courses must be in ancient philosophy; at least one must be in modern
philosophy.
- Six seminars in the four areas listed below. Students must take at
least one seminar in every area and two seminars in any two of the areas.
- Philosophy of science and philosophy of logic
- Philosophy of mind and philosophy of language
- Ethics and political philosophy
- Metaphysics and epistemology
Courses used to satisfy a requirement in one category cannot be used
to satisfy a requirement in another category. The determination as to
what category or categories a particular seminar taught in a given quarter
may count toward is normally made by the seminar instructor. The proseminar
and courses used to satisfy the core course requirement may be counted
toward fulfillment of the distribution requirement. At the end of the
fifth quarter of residence, a student must have completed eight of the
required seminars. In order to remain in the program, a student must have
attained an average of B+ or better in all philosophy seminars completed
by this point.
Philosophy Writing Workshop
In fall term of their third year of study, graduate students shall enroll
in the Philosophy Writing Workshop, a one- to three- unit course depending
on the expected enrollment. This course is graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
basis. In this workshop each student shall produce a polished original
philosophical essay (this may be based on a paper written for a seminar),
criticize the essays produced by other workshop participants, and present
the essay as a talk to an audience of workshop participants, the faculty
instructor, and other interested graduate students and faculty.
Independent Study Courses
Philosophy 290 (Directed Independent Study) is appropriate for
a graduate student still in the process of fulfilling course requirements
for the degree.
Philosophy 295 (Research Topics) is an appropriate course for
a student in the process of coming up with a dissertation prospectus.
Philosophy 299 (Thesis Research) is appropriate for a student
working on his or her dissertation.
Language Requirement
Before advancing to candidacy, all students must demonstrate reading
proficiency in one of the following languages:
German
French
Latin
Classical Greek
If a students chosen dissertation topic requires competence in
a second language from the above list, then the students dissertation
adviser can require a suitable demonstration of competence. In special
circumstances students may be permitted to substitute a different language
or a special competency (such as advanced work in mathematics or in one
of the sciences) if educationally compelling reasons can be given for
doing so. These exceptions will be decided on a case-by-case basis. The
language requirement must be met before the student can be advanced to
candidacy.
Third-Year Advising
At the end of the students sixth quarter of study, the department
appoints a three-member faculty committee for that student. The composition
of the committee will reflect the students preferences and the area
of philosophy in which the student is inclined to do dissertation work.
The committees task is to help the student to develop a sound dissertation
project and advance to candidacy in a timely manner. There is no expectation
that the members of this third-year committee necessarily will serve on
the dissertation committee.
Dissertation Prospectus and Oral Candidacy Exam
Some time after completing the distribution requirements, the student
must submit a dissertation prospectus to his or her doctoral committee.
The committee will then orally examine the student on the intended subject
and plan of research. The examination will seek to establish that the
thesis proposed is a satisfactory subject of research and that the student
has the preparation and the abilities necessary to complete that research.
This oral qualifying exam must be passed before the end of the twelfth
quarter of residence. Students who are passed and have met the other requirements
will be advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D.
Teaching Requirements
Participation in undergraduate teaching is one of the requirements for
a Ph.D. In philosophy. The student is required to serve as a teaching
assistant for the equivalent of one-quarter time for three academic quarters.
The duties of a teaching assistant normally entail grading papers and
examinations, conducting discussion sections, and related activities,
including attendance at lectures in the course for which he or she is
assisting.
Doctoral Dissertation
Under the supervision of a doctoral committee, each candidate will write
a dissertation demonstrating a capacity to engage in original and independent
research. The candidate will defend the thesis in an oral examination
by the doctoral committee. (See Graduate Studies: The Doctor of
Philosophy Degree.)
Application Request
For information regarding the graduate program call (858) 534-6809 or
write to:
University of California, San Diego
Graduate Adviser; Philosophy, 0119
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla CA 92093-0119
Email: casmann@ucsd.edu
Interdisciplinary Degree Programs
The philosophy department at UCSD participates in two interdisciplinary
programs, the requirements for which are outlined below.
Interdisciplinary Degree Program in Cognitive Science
The Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Cognitive Science includes faculty
from a number of UCSD departments including anthropology, biology and
neurobiology, cognitive science, communication, computer science and engineering,
linguistics, music, neurosciences, philosophy, psychiatry, psychology,
and sociology. This group includes many outstanding figures in contemporary
cognitive science.
Students wishing to pursue a Ph.D. InPhilosophy and Cognitive Science
register in the philosophy program in the normal fashion, but pursue a
significant portion of their studies with faculty in the several departments
participating in the interdisciplinary program. Students may apply for
admission to the interdisciplinary program at the same time that they
apply to the Department of Philosophy, or at some point after entering
UCSD, (All students wishing to transfer into any interdisciplinary program
must do so prior to the end of the fifth quarter of residency.)
Students in philosophy/cognitive science are required to do the following:
- Complete all requirements for the philosophy Ph.D. except that the
distribution requirement is amended. By the end of the ninth quarter
of residence, a philosophy/cognitive science degree student must have
completed ten graduate seminars in philosophy with a grade of B+ or
better in each course distributed across the areas of (A) philosophy
of science and philosophy of logic, (B) philosophy of mind and philosophy
of language, (C) ethics and political philosophy, (D), epistemology
and metaphysics, and (E) history of philosophy. Students must take at
least one seminar from each of these five areas and at least two seminars
form any four of these areas.
- The equivalent of one years course work (usually in six courses)
in one or more of the other departments affiliated with the Department
of Cognitive Science. (It should be noted that a philosophy graduate
student who completes this requirement is deemed thereby to have satisfied
the philosophy language requirement by gaining an approved special competency.)
- Six quarters of Cognitive Science 200
A plan detailing the course of study must be approved by the Cognitive
Science Program Committee. The dissertation should be interdisciplinary,
reflecting the two areas of specialization.
Science Studies Program
The Science Studies Program at UCSD is committed to interdisciplinary
investigations. Understanding, interpreting, and explaining the scientific
enterprise demand a systematic integration of the perspectives developed
within the history, sociology, and philosophy of science. The program
offers students an opportunity to work towards such integration, while
receiving a thorough training at the professional level in one of the
component disciplines.
Students enrolled in the program choose one of the component disciplines
for their major field of specialist studies, and are required to complete
minor field requirements in the others. The core of the program, however,
is a year-long seminar in science studies, led by faculty from all participating
departments.
To obtain a Ph.D. InPhilosophy/Science Studies, students
must take a total of eighteen courses, including:
- Nine seminars in philosophy with a grade of B+ or better, distributed
across the areas of (A) philosophy of science and philosophy of logic,
(B) philosophy of mind and philosophy of language, (C) ethics and political
philosophy, (D) metaphysics and epistemology, and (E) history of philosophy.
Students must take at least one seminar from each of these five areas
and at least two seminars from any three of these areas. This requirement
must be completed by the end of the seventh quarter of residence. By
the end of the fifth quarter of residence, a student must have taken
at least five Philosophy seminars (distributed across at least three
areas), and must have achieved an average B+ or better in all philosophy
seminars taken up to that point. Failure to take a sufficient number
of seminars or to achieve a B+ average means that the student may not
continue in the program after the fifth quarter.
- The Introduction to Science Studies 209A, plus the Seminar in Science
Studies 209B, to be taken twice with changed content, plus Colloquium
in Science Studies 209C, to be taken once on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
basis and once for a letter grade.
- Two additional Science Studies courses outside philosophy drawn from
a list of approved courses available each year from the Science Studies
Program office. (One course in one of the sciences may be substituted
for one of these courses as part of an approved program of study.)
The students program of study must be approved by the philosophy
faculty adviser for Science Studies.
Students may apply for admission to the interdisciplinary program at
the same time that they apply to the Department of Philosophy, or at some
point after entering UCSD. (All students wishing to transfer into any
interdisciplinary program must do so prior to the end of the fifth quarter
of residency.)
Ph.D. Time Limit Policies
Students must be advanced to candidacy by the end of four years. Total
university support cannot exceed seven years. Total registered time at
UCSD cannot exceed eight years.
Financial Aid
Almost all philosophy graduate students are supported by some form of
financial aid. Most work as teaching assistants at 50 percent time (approximately
$14,143 for nine months). Typically this involves running discussion sections
and grading papers for lecture and introductory courses in philosophy,
humanities, and writing programs. An assistantship is also regarded as
a full-credit course, so teaching assistants usually take two graduate
classes each quarter.
In addition, some Regents fellowships are available for first-year
students, and the department usually awards one or more dissertation fellowships
a year for its advanced graduate students. Various fee scholarships, tuition
and tuition/fee scholarships are also available, as are San Diego fellowships.
Advanced graduate students who have just completed or nearly completed
their dissertations are sometimes hired by the department as teaching
associates or visiting lecturers. Under these titles advanced graduate
students autonomously plan and teach their own courses.
Philosophy
|