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This course is about major new discoveries and developments that have occurred in philosophy - developments that forever changed how philosophers approach major questions in metaphysics, epistemology, the philosophy of mind, ethics (including, e.g., climate change and intergenerational justice), and the philosophy of language. Topics covered will vary from year to year depending on student interest; these may include groundbreaking discoveries by philosophers such as Quine, Kripke, Putnam, Lewis, Nagel and Davidson, as well as the work of earlier philosophers.
In 2026, this course will be taught by two special guest lecturers. In Term 3, Professor Michael Hampe from ETH Zurich will be teaching on scepticism. Professor Hampe has broad philosophical interests, ranging from philosophy of science and epistemology to Spinoza’s ethics. He is the author of numerous books, including the 2018 monograph “What Philosophy is For”. In Term 4, Professor Peter S. Wenz, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Illinois Springfield, will lecture on political philosophies in uncertain times. Nations around the world face rising uncertainty resulting from globalisation, new technologies, changes in moral norms, increased migration, and climate change. How do different philosophical traditions approach and evaluate this uncertainty? Professor Wenz's specialty is examining the clash of reasonable opinions – the opposition of views that have merit – with the goal of mutual understanding and appreciation among people with different perspectives.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
PHIL343
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Diane Proudfoot
Please check the course LEARN page for further details and updates.
Domestic fee $2,299.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Humanities .