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Publications in VIVO
 

Huemer, Michael

Professor

Positions

Research Areas research areas

Publications

selected publications

Teaching

courses taught

  • PHIL 1000 - Introduction to Philosophy
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022
    Discusses fundamental questions concerning human existence and the nature of reality. Questions may include: Does God exist? Am I the same person I was when I was born? Will I survive the death of my body? Do I have free will? How do I know whether the world around me really exists? What is knowledge? What is truth? What is morality, and how do I know what�s right to do?
  • PHIL 1100 - Ethics
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2019
    Introduces students to moral philosophy by having them study and evaluate prominent moral theories and their application to a selection of real-world moral problems. Theories studied may include utilitarianism, rights theory, virtue ethics, social contract theory, divine command theory, cultural relativism, and natural law theory. Social problems covered may include abortion, world poverty, animal rights, reparations for slavery, gun rights, or similar such controversies.
  • PHIL 1350 - Knowledge, Mind, and Reality
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024
    Introduces philosophy by exploring fundamental questions concerning the nature of reality and our knowledge. Possible questions include: Does God exist? Are you the same person you were when you were born? Does the past exist? Are we free to choose our actions? Is the mind something distinct from the body? Can a computer think? How can we know anything at all?
  • PHIL 3200 - Social and Political Philosophy
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024
    Introduces students to an in-depth examination and analysis of central operational ideas in social and political philosophy, such as power, freedom, equality, democracy, justice, rights, community, individuality, civil disobedience, and law. A thorough treatment of any of these ideas may call for some cross-cultural and/or comparative political and social analysis. Recommended prerequisite: 6 hours of philosophy course work.
  • PHIL 4340 - Epistemology
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018
    Studies some of the main topics of theory of knowledge, such as evidence, justification, prediction, explanation, skepticism, and concept acquisition. Recommended prerequisites: PHIL 3480 and 12 credit hours of philosophy including PHIL 2440 and PHIL 3010. Same as 5340.
  • PHIL 4360 - Metaphysics
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2021
    Examines philosophical questions and debates about the general nature of reality. Specific topics may include: existence; identity; change; particulars and universals; parts and wholes; space and time; possibility and necessity; freedom and determinism; laws of nature; causation; and the posits of mathematical and physical theories. Same as PHIL 5360.
  • PHIL 4400 - Philosophy of Science
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2020 / Spring 2022
    Advances students' knowledge of topics in philosophy of science and develops students' ability to think and write clearly about science. Topics may include scientific methodology; distinguishing science from pseudoscience; characterizing experimental and historical sciences; interpretations of special and general relativity; interpretations of quantum mechanics; the nature of biological species; approaches to defining life; criteria for identifying alien life; artificial intelligence; neuroscience and consciousness; fundamental physical properties and laws of nature; chance and probability; and causation. Same as PHIL 5400. Recommended prerequisite: 12 hours philosophy course work including PHIL 2440.
  • PHIL 5260 - Philosophy of Law
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2021
    Considers philosophical topics concerning law and the U.S. legal system. Topics that may be considered include the nature of law, relations between law and morality, justifications of punishment, the moral duty to obey the law, and law and liberty. Same as PHIL 4260.
  • PHIL 5340 - Epistemology
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018
    Studies some of the main topics of theory of knowledge, such as evidence, justification, prediction, explanation, skepticism, and concept acquisition. Same as PHIL 4340.
  • PHIL 6380 - Seminar in Metaphysics
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2019 / Fall 2022
    Intensive study of selected topics in metaphysics.
  • PHIL 6950 - Master's Thesis
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2021 / Spring 2022
    May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours.

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