L.PHI-110: Introduction to Philosophy
An introduction to philosophy, its nature, methodology, principal themes, questions, disagreements, and prominent philosophers, as represented in each of the four major philosophic periods: ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary. 3 credits.
L.PHI-150: Introduction to Logic
This course will teach students to develop analytical and logical reasoning skills. In addition to surveying the basic principles of informal logic and the identification of informal fallacies, students will be introduced to three formal systems of logic: term logic, propositional logic, and predicate logic. 3 credits.
L.PHI-225: Art, Beauty & Meaning
This course explores the nature of art, the meaning of beauty, and the relationship between the two by consulting selected writings and by directly experiencing and studying specific works of art (and, in some cases, by interacting with the artists who produced them). 3 credits. January term.
L.PHI-235: Science, Faith, and Knowledge
This course will provide an interdisciplinary theoretical and practical introduction to scientific literacy in the natural, human, and behavioral sciences. It aims to assists students in the construction of intellectual frameworks based in sound reason with which to consider the dynamic relationships among empirical scientific research, philosophical commitments, and theological beliefs. Students will be challenged to engage and assess scientific data as well as critically reflect on its practical, personal, and pastoral applications. This course is cross-listed as L.REL-235. The courses are identical but transcripts will reflect the course number (L.REL or L.PHI) that a student registers for and completes. 3 credits.
L.PHI-250: Human Identity in Community-AI
Philosophic investigation into human identity as a rational and social being, relying upon common experience, culture, and selected findings of the natural, social, and behavioral sciences; attention given to the distinct powers, performances, and place of human beings within the natural order, and insights related to the self and society, including the themes of life, mutual dependence, freedom, unity, knowledge and practical reason, and the afterlife. Prerequisites: L.LIB-100, L.LIB-105, L.LIB-110, and either L.LIB-130, L.LIB-135, or L.LIB-220. 3 credits.
L.PHI-278: Bioethics, Society & Culture
Abortion, assisted reproductive technologies, death and dying, research on human subjects, stem cell research, organ transplants, allocation of resources in a pandemic, and healthcare for the poor are examined through the lenses of philosophical ethics, Catholic moral theology, and law and public policy. Students will interact with healthcare professionals and institutions and advocacy groups, discuss contemporary films, and assess internet websites. May not enroll if have taken L.PHI-319 Neuroethics-AV. 3 credits. January term.
L.PHI-301: Foundational Ethics
This course will examine the basic questions of morality and the answers that have been developed within the Western philosophical and Christian theological traditions. Important historical and contemporary primary source material will be examined. This course is cross-listed as REL 301. The courses are identical but transcripts will reflect the course number (L.PHI or L.REL) that a student registers for and completes. Course not available to first year students. 3 credits.
L.PHI-311: Business Ethics-AV
This course studies basic moral principles and theories as they apply in the evaluation of the moral issues that arise in the three basic kinds of business relationships: between the employee and the firm, between the firm and other economic agents, and between the firm and various non-business groups. 3 credits. Prerequisites: L.LIB-100, L.LIB-105, L.LIB110, and one course from L.LIB-130, L.LIB-135, or L.LIB-220. 3 credits.
L.PHI-313: Environmental Ethics-AV
This course studies basic moral principles and theories as they apply in the evaluation of the moral issues that arise when human beings, both individually and collectively, interact with the environment, particularly in the areas of pollution and resource depletion. Prerequisites: L.LIB-100, L.LIB-105, L.LIB-110, and one course from L.LIB-130, L.LIB135, or L.LIB-220. 3 credits.
L.PHI-315: Communication Ethics-AV
This course studies basic moral principles and theories as they apply in the evaluation of the moral issues that arise in media communications (e.g., truth, privacy, confidentiality, conflicts of interests, antisocial behavior, morally offensive content, responsibility to juveniles, social justice, and stereotypes). Prerequisites: L.LIB-100, L.LIB-105, L.LIB-110, and one course from L.LIB-130, L.LIB-135, or L.LIB-220. 3 credits.
L.PHI-319: Neuroethics-AV
A survey of ethical issues arising in contemporary work in neuroscience. Topics include predictive testing for neurological disorders; implications for abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and organ procurement of neurological criteria for the beginning and end of life; medical treatment decisions for brain injured persons with severely compromised consciousness; brain activity and free will; abnormal brain activity and culpability for criminal actions; enhancement of brain function; neuroimaging and privacy; and the ethics of neurological research with animal and human subjects. Prerequisites: L.LIB-100, L.LIB105, L.LIB-110, and one course from L.LIB-130, L.LIB-135, L.LIB-220. May not enroll if have taken L.PHI-278: Bioethics, Society and Culture. 3 credits.
L.PHI-320: Ancient Philosophy
A survey of Western philosophy in ancient Greek and Roman cultures. Central issues include: integration of poetic and mythic worldviews with critical thought; themes of “one and the many” and “part and whole” amid material and immaterial existence; determination, freedom, chance, and fate; the inclination toward human happiness; cognitive access to “reality” and the acts of opinion, belief, and knowledge. L.PHI-110 or L.PHI-150 strongly recommended, but not required. 3 credits.
L.PHI-321: Medieval Philosophy
A survey of Christian, Jewish and Islamic philosophy from the early middle ages through Renaissance scholasticism, with particular attention to the work of Thomas Aquinas. Either L.PHI-110 or L.PHI-150 strongly recommended, but not required. 3 credits.
L.PHI-322: Modern Philosophy
Survey of philosophical thought during the 17th and 18th centuries, noting emphases upon methodology, mathematics, science, and progress by Descartes, Hobbes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant. These thinkers continue to influence present attitudes toward the starting point and structure of knowledge, the possibility of metaphysics, the relation of the world to God, and our own human composition, freedom, and destiny. Either L.PHI-110 or L.PHI-150 strongly recommended, but not required. 3 credits.
L.PHI-323: Contemporary Philosophy
An examination of the principal views of God, humanity, and the world as advanced by major contemporary philosophers and philosophical movements, including existentialism and phenomenology, American pragmatic and instrumentalist philosophy, analytic and positivist philosophy, dialectical thought. Either L.PHI-110 or L.PHI-150 strongly recommended, but not required. 3 credits.
L.PHI-331: Knowledge, Truth & Reality
The study of what and how things exist in the world (metaphysics/philosophy of being), and how we cognitively experience and understand these things (epistemology/philosophy of knowledge); includes notions of being in itself, potency and actuality; causality; the properties of unity, good, and beauty; the nature of evil; intellect and sense perception; truth and falsity; and subjective states of certainty, doubt, ignorance, and error. Prerequisite: Either L.PHI-110 or L.PHI-150; at least one historical sequence course recommended but not required. 3 credits.
L.PHI-333: Philosophy of God & Religion
An examination of attempts to justify belief in the existence of God, the divine nature and attributes, the problem of evil, religious experience, the status of religious language, and divine action in the world, using historical, contemporary, and multicultural sources. Prerequisite: Either L.PHI-110 or L.PHI-150. At least one of the historical sequence courses strongly recommended but not required. 3 credits.
L.PHI-345: Sustainability Ethics
This course will integrate environmental ethics, environmental science, and community-based learning in order to foster independent learning, creative inquiry, and applied ethical reasoning in the area of sustainability. The course will introduce systems thinking and engage the tradition of American environmentalism with particular attention to the tensions between ‘conservationist’ and ‘preservationist’ approaches. 3 credits.
L.PHI-348: Philosophy of Science
Examination of basic problems about the nature, goals, and methods of scientific inquiry in contrast to philosophy; analysis of scientific theories in terms of the role of mathematics, observation, causality, and demonstration; and examination of the contrast between natural and social sciences. 3 credits.
L.PHI-376: Philosophy and the Rise of Christianity-AC
This study travel course that traces how Christian thought led to new syntheses in regions where love for wisdom has not been left in ruins. Initial class meetings at Loras to engage primary texts, then travel to Sicily and Rome where on site visitation is integrated with reflection upon themes including: soul, body and the person; love and the will; women’s and men’s roles in political society; moral systems and virtue;
God’s providence and power. This course is cross-listed as L.CTL-265. The courses are identical but transcripts will reflect the course number (L.PHI or L.CTL) that a student registers for and completes. L.PHI-100 or L.PHI-220, or one other philosophy or Catholic theology course are recommended but not required. Contact the CEL/course instructor for iteration-specific details. 3 credits. January term.
L.PHI-490E: Oral Comprehensive Examination
A placeholder course which indicates attempt and completion of the required comprehensive oral examination in front of philosophy faculty members. 0 credits. Pass/fail only.
RELATED COURSES: Catholic Studies, Religious Studies