Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - PHIL 467W D100

Advanced Seminar (4)

Materialisms

Class Number: 7150

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    15 upper division PHIL units or permission from the instructor. Students not in a philosophy major, philosophy honours, or joint major program can take PHIL 467W only with special permission from the instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An advanced, in-depth seminar on a contemporary or historical philosophical topic. Required for all students in a philosophy major, philosophy honours, or joint major program. May be repeated for credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: Physicalism: Its Past and Its Future

Physicalism (sometimes called “materialism”) is the claim that physical reality, as it is described (however imperfectly) by the physical sciences, is the whole of reality: there is nothing else. Physicalists think that a human being is a purely physical thing: they deny that a person has in addition a non-physical component, a soul or spirit. Physicalists have often denied that human beings have free will, on the grounds that everything we do is pre-determined by the laws of physics. Physicalists are almost always atheists. They often say that there are no purposes or meanings in the universe, except those that are created by people (and other animals).

In this course, we will discuss the history of physicalism in Western philosophy in the modern period. We will also discuss contemporary challenges to physicalism, and discuss whether physicalism has a future.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course will be applied towards the upper division Writing Requirement for philosophy majors, philosophy honours, and philosophy joint majors. All students declared in one of these programs starting with Fall 2024 have to take an offering of PHIL 467W as a required course. Students declared before Fall 2024 can take any 400 level course to fulfill the requirement. 


Grading

  • Short weekly writing assignments: 10%
  • First long writing assignment: 30%
  • Second long writing assignment: 60%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There will be required readings each week. I will upload these as PDFs to Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Thinking of a Philosophy Major or Minor? The Concentration in Law and Philosophy? The Certificate in Ethics? The Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate?
Contact the PHIL Advisor at philcomm@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.