Washington and Lee University · Courses

PHIL

72 courses with the subject PHIL, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.

PHIL 1000Introduction to Philosophy3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 1040Introduction to Moral and Political Philosophy3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 1060Introduction to Theories of Knowledge and Reality3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 1140Ancient Greek Philosophy3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 1180Classical Chinese Philosophy3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 1200Modern European Philosophy: Descartes to Hume3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 1700Introduction to Logic3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 1905Seminar in History of Philosophy or Major Figures3-4

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 4
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Repeatable: May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 1906Seminar in Ethics and Value Theory3-4

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 4
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Repeatable: May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 1907Seminar in Metaphysics and Epistemology3-4

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 4
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Repeatable: May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2240Plato3

Crosslisted With CLAS 2201

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2260Aristotle3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2280Buddhist Philosophy3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2300Karl Marx3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2314Religion and Existentialism3

Crosslisted With REL 2314

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2318Heidegger and Being in the World3

Crosslisted With REL 2318

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2320John Stuart Mill3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2340Existentialism: Meaning and Existence3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2350Nietzsche3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2360American Pragmatism3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2400Contemporary Ethical Theory3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2405Poverty, Dignity, and Human Rights3

Crosslisted With POV 2405

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2420Free Will and Moral Responsibility3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2500Political Philosophy: The Social Contract3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2510Social Inequality and Fair Opportunity3

Crosslisted With WGSS 2510

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2514Poverty, Oppression, and Privilege3

Crosslisted With POV 2514

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2516Poverty, Ethics, and Religion3

Crosslisted With POV 2401

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2518Martin Luther King Jr.: Poverty, Justice, and Love3

Crosslisted With POV 2403

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2520Philosophy of Law3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2530Feminist Social and Political Philosophy3

Crosslisted With WGSS 2530

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2532Philosophy of Sex3

Crosslisted With WGSS 2532

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2534Philosophy of the Family: Beyond Tradition3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2540Ethics of War4

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 4
Credits (max): 4
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2550Virtue Ethics and Liberal Arts Education3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2570Medicine, Research, and Poverty3

Crosslisted With POV 2570

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2580Philosophy of Race3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2600Aesthetics3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2602Poverty, Equity and Empathy3

Crosslisted With POV 2602

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu
Prerequisite: POV 1001 FDR: Humanities (HU) Credits: 3 What role, if any, should the increasingly common, yet contested, concepts of “equity” and “empathy” play in understanding and addressing poverty and inequality in ways that respect the dignity of every person? This course asks students to define, examine, and evaluate both concepts as tools for working toward a more just world. Students will apply the concepts to an inequity or inequality important to them.

PHIL 2608Manufacturing Wonders and Philosophical Wondering4

Crosslisted With ENGN 2608

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 4
Credits (max): 4
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2620The Meaning of Life4

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 4
Credits (max): 4
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2700Intermediate Logic3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu
Prerequisite: PHIL 1700 FDR: Humanities (HU) Credits: 3 An examination of alternative formal logics and issues in the philosophy of logic. Topics include formal ways of modeling possibility, actuality, and necessity; advanced quantificational semantics, set theory, inifinity, and paradox. Some light metalogic. May also include informal considerations of topics like conditionals, counterfactuals, intuitionism, and others.

PHIL 2720Epistemology: Knowledge and Doubt3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2740Metaphysics: Existence and Reality3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2820Philosophy of Biology3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2840An Investigation of Self3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2860Philosophy and Science Fiction3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2905Seminar in History of Philosophy or Major Figures3-4

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 4
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Repeatable: May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2906Seminar in Ethics and Value Theory3-4

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 4
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Repeatable: May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 2907Seminar in Metaphysics and Epistemology3-4

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 4
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Repeatable: May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3200Kant3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3220Hegel3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3400Metaethics3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3420Virtue Ethics3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3500Medical Ethics3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3520Legal Ethics3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3540Distributive Justice3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3605Seminar in Environmental Ethics3

Crosslisted With ENV 3605

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3660Seminar: Food Ethics3

Crosslisted With ENV 3660

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3720Decision Theory3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3740Philosophy of Language3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3760Philosophy of Science3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3780Philosophy of Mind3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3820Human Enhancement and Transhumanism4

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 4
Credits (max): 4
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3905Seminar in History of Philosophy or Major Figures3-4

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 4
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Repeatable: May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3906Seminar in Ethics and Value Theory3-4

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 4
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Repeatable: May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 3907Seminar in Metaphysics and Epistemology3-4

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 4
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Repeatable: May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 4001Directed Individual Study1

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Repeatable: May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu
Prerequisite: Instructor consent Credits: 1 May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.

PHIL 4002Directed Individual Study2

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 2
Credits (max): 2
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Repeatable: May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu
Prerequisite: Permission of the department Credits: 2 May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.

PHIL 4003Directed Individual Study3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Repeatable: May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu
Prerequisite: Instructor consent Credits: 3 May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.

PHIL 4410Ethical Argument and Debate1

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Repeatable: May be repeated with instructor’s permissions for a maximum of four credits toward degree requirements.
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu

PHIL 4703Senior Thesis3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu
Prerequisite: Philosophy major and senior class standing. Credits: 3 Senior thesis.

PHIL 4903Honors Thesis3

Subject: PHIL
Credits (min): 3
Credits (max): 3
Credit unit: Credits
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Source: catalog.wlu.edu
Prerequisite: Instructor consent Experiential Learning (EXP): Yes Credits: 3 Honors Thesis. The department honors program is outlined at https://www.wlu.edu/philosophy-department/about-the -department/about-the-major-and-the-minor/honors-pr ogram .

Source: Washington and Lee University's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 59