Gowned up for Birkbeck Staff Procession in 2008

PHILOSOPHY AND LANGUAGE I
This module explores key moments in twentieth-century philosophy of language, from Frege’s semantics to Russell’s Logical Atomism and Theory of Types, to theories of meaning. We will examine the movement known as Logical Positivism, the early and late philosophies of Wittgenstein, and Quine’s attack upon ordinary language philosophy. [09/10 entry, Birkbeck]

PRACTICAL ETHICS I
What are our responsibilities to future generations and the Third World poor? When is torture justified, if ever? Should euthanasia be legalised in this country? What arrangements between consumers and producers are fair? We will address these and similar questions against the background of ideas such as equality, obligation and rights. [06/07, LSE & 07/08, Bbk East]

PRACTICAL ETHICS II: The Perplexing, the Topical, the Innovative
What is the good life? Is death to be feared? Is racial profiling unjust? Do animals have rights? What does philosophy tell us about food, technology and gossip? This course examines how philosophy can advance our thinking about everyday issues under the headings of the perplexing, the topical, and the innovative. [07/08, LSE]

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
Does interpersonal ethics help shape, or tend to interfere with, our wider respect for the environment? Is ethical consumerism the political solution to global overconsumption? Should developing countries be allowed to continue on the path of economic growth enjoyed by developed countries? This course examines environmental problems through a moral lens. [08/09, LSE]

WICKEDNESS
The concept of wickedness embraces the Greek concept of vice, the Christian ‘deadly sins’ and the Manichean concept of evil. We shall look at these as well as contemporary scientific debate about the nature of aggression, the phenomenon of terrorism as a form of wickedness, and our response to this. [06/07, LSE]

KNOWLEDGE I
Are we justified in believing that we possess knowledge? This course examines the sources and resources of knowledge with particular reference to sense-perception, memory and testimony, introspection and self-knowledge. We will see whether the contemporary theories dubbed ‘foundationalism’, ‘coherentism’ and ‘reliabilism’ can address sceptical doubts re the possibility of knowledge. [06/07 & 07/08, LSE]

SCIENCE AND RELIGION
Can religious claims be evaluated scientifically? Does science have religious implications? This course examines in a philosophical way the main theoretical issues in the interaction between religion and science. We will explore approaches to science demonstrated by a variety of religious traditions. [06/07 & 07/08, LSE]

TOPICAL DEBATES IN PHILOSOPHY
We shall entertain some of the perennial philosophical questions: Do human beings possess freewill? Can I know that I am not now dreaming? Is it rational to believe in God? We shall also explore some less abstract philosophical questions, viz., can we justify such practices as human cloning or animal experimentation? [08/09, LSE]

SUMMER SCHOOL 2008
Day seminars: Philosophical Arguments for Good and Evil
Guest Lecture: Lying and Deception

SUMMER SCHOOL 2009
Day seminars: Knowing good and doing good.

HORIZON LECTURE SERIES 2009
Ethics, the Environment and the Private Citizen