On this page: Introduction | Programs |
See also: Faculty Members | Course Descriptions | Course Winter Timetable | Prospective Student Guide to Academic Programs | More on Department

Introduction

The Greek words from which “Philosophy” is formed mean “love of wisdom” and all great philosophers have been moved by an intense devotion to the search for wisdom. Philosophy takes no belief for granted, but examines the grounds for those beliefs which make up people’s fundamental views of the world. Philosophers think about these beliefs as thoroughly and systematically as possible, using methods of conceptual analysis, reasoning, and detailed description.

What distinguishes Philosophy from the physical and social sciences is its concern not only with the truths which are discovered by means of specialized methods of investigation, but with the implications that such discoveries have for human beings in their relations with one another and the world. Moreover, Philosophy has an abiding interest in those basic assumptions about the nature of the physical and social world, and about the nature of enquiry itself, which underlie our scientific and practical endeavours.

The Philosophy Department at the University of Toronto offers courses in the main periods and areas of Philosophy, which are listed here with a typical question or the name of one or two central figures: Ancient Philosophy (Plato, Aristotle); Mediaeval Philosophy (Augustine, Aquinas); Early Modern Philosophy (Descartes, Hume, Kant); Nineteenth-Century Philosophy and Marxism (Hegel, Mill, Marx); Existentialism and Phenomenology (Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre); Analytic Philosophy (Quine, Russell, Wittgenstein); Epistemology and Metaphysics (What can be known? What is the ultimate nature of reality?); Philosophy of Religion (Does God exist? How could one prove it?); Philosophy of Human Nature (What is mind? Is there free will?); Logic and Philosophy of Mathematics (What is sound reasoning? Do numbers exist?); Philosophy of Language (What is the meaning of “meaning”?); Philosophy of Natural Science (What is scientific method?); Philosophy of Social Science and History (Can there be a science of humans?); Social and Political Philosophy (What justifies the state?); Moral Philosophy (How should we argue rationally about right and wrong?); Aesthetics (What is art? Must it be beautiful?). In addition, the Department offers Seminars and Tutorials (numbered PHL 401H-486H) and Individual Studies courses (numbered PHL 490, PHL 496-499).

Some of the Department’s courses are taught at the federated and constituent Colleges. Those taught at St. Michael’s College, for example, form a comprehensive program in Philosophy reflecting the College’s traditions. Students in the Faculty are free to take philosophy courses wherever they please. However, where timetable permits and where the desired course is offered, students are encouraged to take their philosophy courses with the group situated in their College, in order to share in its special interests and to secure the advantages of thorough supervision, small lectures and discussion groups at all levels, and proximity to groups representing disciplines other than Philosophy.

Counselling is available in the main departmental office, 215 Huron St., 9th floor, and from the College groups located in the various Colleges. In addition, the Department publishes an annual Bulletin. It contains full and up-to-date information on programs and courses, including names of instructors and descriptions of particular course sections. The Bulletin is published in the spring (for the succeeding year) and is available at 215 Huron Street and from the College groups and all College registrars.

Undergraduate Coordinator:

Professor I.L Stefanovic, 215 Huron Street, Room 902 (978-3314)

PHILOSOPHY PROGRAMS

Enrolment in the Philosophy programs is open to students who have completed four courses; no minimum GPA required. Students who take the majority of their philosophy courses at St. Michael’s College may elect to be designated as having completed a Program in Philosophy (St. Michael’s College S12471/M12471/R12471). The prefix “PHI” previously used for St. Michael’s College courses is no longer in use. All “PHI” courses can be credited towards completion of philosophy program requirements. Previous “PHI” course designations are equivalent to PHL designations.

BIOETHICS — See end of PHL program listing

PHILOSOPHY (B.A.)
Consult Professor I.L. Stefanovic.

Specialist program (Hon.B.A.):
(9 full courses or their equivalent)
At least 4.5 300+ series PHL courses, including one 400-series PHL course.
A student’s program should be worked out with the appropriate staff Specialist Coordinator. This program will normally be established by the end of the student’s Second Year, and confirmed at registration in subsequent years. While students are encouraged to follow their personal interests and aims, it is strongly recommended but not required, that programs include courses in the following areas:
1.0 Introductory
2.0 History of Philosophy
0.5 Logic
1.0 Epistemology/Metaphysics
1.0 Ethics/Social and Political
1.0 Individual Studies, Special Seminar, or Special Tutorial

Major program (B.A.):
(6 full courses or their equivalent)
The 6 courses must include at least 3 300+ series PHL courses.
It is strongly recommended but not required that Programs include courses in the following areas:
1.0 Introductory
2.0 History of Philosophy
0.5 Logic
1.0 Epistemology/Metaphysics
0.5 Ethics/Social and Political

Minor program (B.A.):
(4 full courses or their equivalent)
Four courses in PHL to include one course at the 300+ level.
It is strongly recommended but not required that Programs include courses in the following areas:
1.0 History of Philosophy
1.0 Problems of Philosophy
For a list of minor Programs in different areas of Philosophy see the Department’s Undergraduate Bulletin.

PHILOSOPHY AND ECONOMICS — See ECONOMICS

PHILOSOPHY AND ENGLISH — See ENGLISH

PHILOSOPHY AND GERMAN — See GERMAN

PHILOSOPHY AND GREEK — See CLASSICS

PHILOSOPHY AND LINGUISTICS — See LINGUISTICS

PHILOSOPHY AND LITERARY STUDIES — See LITERARY STUDIES

PHILOSOPHY AND MATHEMATICS — See MATHEMATICS

PHILOSOPHY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE (Hon.B.A.)
Limited Enrolment program: see details under POLITILCAL SCIENCE, Page 375.

Specialist program:
(14 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course: 7 in each subject)

PHILOSOPHY (7 courses):
At least two 300+ series PHL courses. It is strongly recommended that five be chosen according to the profile specified in the Philosophy Specialist Program above.

POLITICAL SCIENCE (7 courses):
The courses to include at least two 300+ series courses of which one must be a 400-series course.
NOTES:
1. At least one course in Canadian politics must be completed. Normally this requirement will be satisfied by POL 102Y/103Y/214Y.
2. Students must complete courses in at least three fields: Canadian politics, political theory, and one of international relations, comparative politics (industrial), comparative politics (developing).

First Year:
POL 102Y/103Y/108Y

Higher Years:

1. POL 200Y
2. Two full courses from the following: POL 201Y, 203Y/204Y, 208Y, 214Y
3. Three additional POL courses

PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION (Hon.B.A.)
Consult Departments of Philosophy and Study of Religion.

Specialist program:
(14 full courses or their equivalent: 7 in each subject; including at least one course at the 400-level)
For details consult the Departments.

PHILOSOPHY (7 courses):
Including at least two 300+ series PHL courses, with five chosen according to the following profile:
2.0 History of Philosophy
0.5 Logic
1.0 Epistemology/Metaphysics
0.5 Ethics/Social and Political
1.0 Philosophy of Religion

RELIGION (7 courses):
Including at least two 300+ series courses, with five chosen according to the following profile:
1.0 RLG 100Y/280Y
1.0 in a specific religious tradition
1.0 employing historical method
1.0 employing philosophical method
1.0 employing social-scientific method
2.0 other RLG courses

PHILOSOPHY AND SOCIOLOGY (Hon.B.A.)
Consult Departments of Philosophy and Sociology.

Specialist program:
(15 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

PHILOSOPHY (7 courses):
It is strongly recommended that five courses be chosen according to the profile specified in the Philosophy Specialist program above; at least two must be 300+ series courses.

SOCIOLOGY (8 courses):
NOTE: Enrolment in this Program is limited to students with 65% in SOC 101Y, and 70% in each of SOC 200Y and 203Y. Students need to have completed 8 full courses and be enroled in the Sociology Major program.

First Year:
SOC 101Y

Higher Years:

1. SOC 200Y, 203Y, 300Y, 389Y, 401Y, 405Y
2. An additional 1.0 courses in a 200+ level SOC course related to Philosophy

BIOETHICS (B.A.)
Consult I.L. Stefanovic, Philosophy.

Specialist program (Hon.B.A.):
(9 full courses or their equivalent, at least four which must be 300+ series PHL courses, including one 400-series PHL course)

First Year:
Recommended: PHL 100Y/102Y/200Y/201H/230H, 231H

Higher Years:

1. PHL 281Y
2. Three of PHL 381H, 382H, 383H, 384H
3. PHL 275H, 375H
4. PHL 245H/247H/TRN 200Y
5. PHL 265H/270H/271H/365H/370H
6. *If PHL 100Y/101Y not taken in First Year, one full course from PHL 230H, 231H, 330Y, 240H, 244H, 340H, 341H, 355H, SMC 370H
7. One full course from PHL 200Y, 210Y, 310H, 311H, 312H or later course in the History of Philosophy. PHL 210Y strongly recommended.
*NOTE: BIO 150Y is strongly recommended

Major program (B.A.):
(6 full courses or their equivalent, at least two of which must be 300+ series PHL courses)

First Year:
PHL 100Y/102Y/230H, 231H

Higher Years:

1. PHL 275H, 281Y
2. Three of PHL 240H, 244H, 265H, 270H, 271H, 273H, 340H, 341H, 355H, 365H, 370H, 373H, 375H, SMC 370H
3. Two of PHL 381H, 382H, 383H, 384H
4. One other course in Philosophy

Minor program (B.A.):
(4 full courses or their equivalent)

First Year:
PHL 100Y/102Y/230H, 231H

Higher Years:

1. PHL 281Y
2. Two of PHL 381H, 382H, 383H, 384H
3. One other course in Philosophy