Time Schedule:
David Alexander
PHIL 301
Seattle Campus
Philosophical topics at the intermediate level. Content varies each quarter, depending on instructor.
Class description
“What is Probability?” In this course, we will address a number of philosophical questions concerning probability. The course will fall into three parts. (1) In the first part we will discuss objective probability, or chance – such as the chance that a fair coin will land heads. Is such a chance an objective feature of the world, or is it simply an expression of human ignorance? (2) In the second part of the course we will discuss epistemic probability, or confirmation. Here we will address the nature of inductive reasoning, and assess different accounts of how we can inductively confirm hypotheses. (3) In the third part of the course, we will discuss the pragmatic dimension to probability. Do we have good pragmatic reasons for conforming our degrees of belief, or “credences” to the laws of probability?
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
