Philosophy and the Global Miami Plan for Liberal Education

The Global Miami Plan requires 3 credit hours of Humanities courses (MPF IIB). This requirement can be fulfilled by taking any of the following:

• Philosophy 103: Society and the Individual
• Philosophy 104: Purpose or Chance in the Universe
• Philosophy 105: Theories of Human Nature
• Philosophy 106: Thought and Culture of India
• Philosophy 131: Problems of Moral and Social Values

The three hour Foundation Course requirement in Mathematics, Formal Reasoning, Technology (MPF V) can be fulfilled by taking:

• Philosophy 273: Formal Logic

Additionally, the Philosophy Department offers three Thematic Sequences which may be taken in fulfillment of the Miami Plan Thematic Sequence requirement. Thematic Sequences are comprised of three courses. Currently available sequences are:

• Ethics
• Metaphysics and Epistemology
• Reasoning

Foundation Courses

PHL 103 Society and the Individual (3)

A study of the relationship between human beings and the societies in which they live, and of the implications different perspectives on this relationship have for a view of social justice. We investigate this relation in terms of its political, economic, social, ethical, and epistemological dimensions. Introduces fundamental questions of philosophy and basic reasoning skills, methodologies, and concepts used by philosophers. Students are prepared for further work in philosophy and develop skills in critical thinking, reading, and writing for any area of learning.

PHL 104 Purpose or Chance in the Universe (3)

Is the present universe the result of purpose or chance? Positions and arguments on this question by scientists and philosophers at different points in Western history are studied. In this inquiry, special attention is paid to recent developments in scientific cosmology that throw important new light on the question. Whether the results of the inquiry support purpose or chance more strongly is considered. Introduces fundamental questions of philosophy and basic reasoning skills, methodologies, and concepts used by philosophers. Students are prepared for further work in philosophy and develop skills in critical thinking, reading, and writing.

PHL 105 Theories of Human Nature (3)

There have been various ways in which human beings have understood themselves and their place in nature. Every conception of the self embodies a conception of what can be known, of how we ought to live, of what values we ought to hold, and to what extent we are free. We consider various conceptions of the person in light of these questions. Introduces fundamental questions of philosophy and basic reasoning skills, methodologies, and concepts used by philosophers. Students are prepared for further work in philosophy and develop skills in critical thinking, reading, and writing for any area of learning.

PHL 106 Thought and Culture of India (3)

Examines India's history and civilization, philosophies and religions, arts and literature, science and technology as a culture's self-understanding and self-expression of its ideas, values, and ways of thinking. Comparisons made between Indian and other ways of thought and modes of living.

PHL 131 Problems of Moral and Social Values (3)

Introduction to ethical theory and its application to individual moral issues relating to human conduct and social institutions and political systems. Course is historical and thematic with major ethical theories analyzed in relation to concrete situations. Involves students in the creative process of developing skills and arguments necessary to engage in reflective moral reasoning.

PHL 273 Formal Logic (4)

Survey of elementary logical systems: Aristotelian, Boolean, sentential, quantified. Sceintific method and issues in the philosophy of logic may be included.

Philosophy and the College of Arts and Science Requirements

Any philosophy course except PHL 273 (Formal Logic) and PHL 373 (Symbolic Logic) will count toward the College of Arts and Science CAS-B requirement in the Humanities (9 credit hours).

The CAS-E requirement in Formal Reasoning (3 credit hours) can be fulfilled by either PHL 273 (Formal Logic) or PHL 373 (Symbolic Logic).