CLASSES
Below you can find a list of all philosophy classes that are listed in Georgia Tech's catalog,
together with their catalog descriptions. If you want to see what we are offering in each semester, go to https://oscar.gatech.edu/pls/bprod/bwckschd.p_disp_dyn_sched,
select the term, then mark under "Subject"
the field "Philosophy of Science/Tech" and start the "class search." Please contact
the instructor that is listed there if you need more specific information, like a syllabus.
PST 1101 - Introduction to Philosophical Analysis
An introduction to the nature of philosophy through the critical analysis of selected works, such as Descartes, Hobbes, and Locke. The relationship of philosophy to science, religion, and culture will be emphasized.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 2020 - Philosophical Analysis of Policy Choices
An introduction to philosophical questions that may arise in public policy debate and decision making and to resources from the philosophical tradition for addressing them.
Disagreement on matters of public policy often turns on philosophical questions regarding the validity of factual claims, values to be pursued or obligations to be met, and the nature and legitimacy of decision-making processes. This course examines case studies in contemporary policy debate and introduces primary and secondary materials from the philosophical tradition as resources for identifying and addressing these philosophical questions. Case studies may reflect the interests and expertise of the instructor. Resources will be drawn in particular from philosophy of science, ethics, political philosophy, and logic. Course grades will be based on written work, including one or more argumentative essays.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 2050 – Philosophy and Political Theory
Survey of political thought from ancient times, relating classical and modern political theories to problems of the modern democratic state. Special emphasis on the problems of the individual and state.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 2698 - Research Assistantship
Independent research conducted under the guidance of a faculty member.
1 to 12 Credit Hours, 1 to 12 Lecture hours
PST 2699 - Undergraduate Research
Independent research conducted under the guidance of a faculty member.
1 to 12 Credit Hours, 1 to 12 Lecture hours
PST 3102 - History of Ancient Philosophy
Development of philosophy from the pre-Socratics to the medieval Christian synthesis and the early development of science in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 3103 - Modern Philosophy
A study of the development of philosophy from the views of Bacon and Descartes to the Tractatus and to existential thought. Traces the philosophic response to modern science in the rational and empirical traditions.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 3105 - Ethical Theories
Surveys traditional ethical theories of value, obligation, and rights and applies these theories to contemporary social problems such as abortion, euthanasia, poverty and distributional equity, and environmental problems.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Ethics Requirement, Humanities Requirement
PST 3109 - Ethics and Technical Professions
Ethical reasoning in the context of professional work in science and technology. Prepares future technical professionals to approach decisions with a coherent ethical framework.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Ethics Requirement, Humanities Requirement
PST 3113 – Logic and Critical Thinking
The main objective of this seminar is to learn some strategies for clarifying your thinking by structuring and representing arguments. This learning will be based on theoretical reflections on formal and informal logic, on different models of argumentation, and on the role of visualizing arguments for problem solving, collaborative learning, and conflict resolution. The main focus is on a new diagrammatical form of reasoning called “Logical Argument Mapping” (LAM). Argument maps will be created in Cmap, a “knowledge modeling kit” that can be used in computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environments. This course is useful for any student interested in acquiring a fundamental and versatile ability to think and argue clearly.
Find a recent syllabus here
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 3115 - Philosophy of Science
Examination of the nature and processes of scientific inquiry, including the status of scientific knowledge, identification of pseudoscientific claims, and the role of values in generating and using scientific knowledge.
Find a recent syllabus here
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 3127 - Science, Technology, and Human Values
Exploration of the boundaries between science, religion, and social values, examining science and technology in a broader social context. Examines claims that science is isolated from social problems and values.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Ethics Requirement, Humanities Requirement
PST 3790 – Introduction to Cognitive Science
Multidisciplinary perspectives on cognitive science. Interdisciplinary approaches to issues in cognition, including memory, language, problem solving, learning, perception, and action. Crosslisted with CS, PSYC, and ISYE 3790.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
PST 4110 - Theories of Knowledge
Critical examination of perception, verification, apriori and aposteriori knowledge, meaning and criteria of truth, and cognitive significance of scientific and philosophical propositions. Evolution of epistemology.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 4112 - Philosophic Themes Asian Thought
Survey of selected metaphysical and ethical ideas in the religious and philosophic traditions of east Asia, including Hindu conceptions of the self and causality, Buddhism and . Zen, and the ethical naturalism of Confucianism and Taoism.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 4174 - Perspectives in Science and Technology
Comparative analysis of frameworks for interpreting science and technology, discussed in light of case studies. Selected frameworks include philosophical, historical, cognitive, and sociological.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 4176 - Environmental Ethics
Conceptual and normative foundations of environmental attitudes and values. Impacts of traditional and modern beliefs that shape human attitudes toward nature on creating a more compatible relationship between humans and their environment.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Ethics Requirement, Humanities Requirement
PST 4698 - Research Assistantship
Independent research conducted under the guidance of a faculty member.
1 to 12 Credit Hours, 1 to 12 Lecture hours
PST 4699 - Undergraduate Research
Independent research conducted under the guidance of a faculty member.
1 to 12 Credit Hours, 1 to 12 Lecture hours
PST 4752 - Philosophical Issues in Computation
Introduction to metaphysical and epistemological issues in foundations, methods, and implications of computing. Issues include: minds, brains, and machines; representation and language; simulating nature. Crosslisted with CS 4752.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 4790 – Seminar Cognitive Science
A seminar-type course in cognitive science focusing on integrating and deepening students' cognitive science knowledge and skills. Topics include memory, language, problem solving, learning, perception, and action. Crosslisted with CS, PSYC, and ISYE 4790
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
PST 4791 - Integrative Project Cognitive Science
An integrative course in cognitive science focusing on the integration and use of concepts and skills from cognitive science. A different integrative project or set of projects will be taken on each semester; students will contribute on the basis of their background and skills. Crosslisted with CS, ISYE, and PSYC 4791.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
PST 4792 - Design Project Cognitive Science
Individual project with a cognitive science faculty member, designed as a supplement to the student's senior design project or thesis in their major area. Crosslisted with CS, ISYE, and PSYC 4792.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
PST 4803 - Interreligious Understanding
IIn many societies, particularly in communities in the United States and in Islamic countries, religion plays a major role in creating cohesion and social identity. Providing foundations for values, ethics, or the legal system, religion has a strong normative function in these societies. At the same time, however, religious issues and sensitivities cause conflicts and misunderstandings. All this makes it necessary to reflect on the problems and possibilities of interreligious understanding.
Find a recent syllabus here
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 4811 - Special Topics
Topics of interest not covered in the regular course offerings.
1 Credit Hours, 1 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 4812 - Special Topics
Topics of interest not covered in the regular course offerings.
2 Credit Hours, 2 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 4813 - Special Topics
Topics of interest not covered in the regular course offerings.
3 Credit Hours, 3 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 4814 - Special Topics
Topics of interest not covered in the regular course offerings.
4 Credit Hours, 4 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 4815 - Special Topics
Topics of interest not covered in the regular course offerings.
5 Credit Hours, 5 Lecture hours
Course Attributes: Humanities Requirement
PST 8000 - Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
An introduction to the fundamental concepts guiding the responsible conduct of research. Students should obtain a fuller understanding of what it means to be a researcher and a professional. They should gain an appreciation for ethical norms and guidelines embraced within their respective field of inquiry.
1 Credit Hours, 1 Lecture hours
PST 1XXX – Philosophy, Science, and Technology Elective
1 to 21 Credit Hours
PST 2XXX - Philosophy, Science, and Technology Elective
1 to 21 Credit Hours
PST 3XXX - Philosophy, Science, and Technology Elective
1 to 21 Credit Hours
PST 4XXX - Philosophy, Science, and Technology Elective
1 to 21 Credit Hours