Postgraduate

PHIL424
Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
Description
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a new and rapidly developing field that affects social media, military actions, the way we are governed, our criminal justice and health systems, and many other areas that impact on our lives. In each of these areas, the use of AI can and will create situations that harm or benefit people and also non-human animals. Understanding the nature of these potential harms and benefits, their value and disvalue, and what can enhance, mitigate or remove them, can help to make the widespread adoption of AI technologies ethical and also more publicly acceptable.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Semester Two 2025 (Distance)
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Permission of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
COSC443 and PHIL425
PHIL425
Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
Description
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a new and rapidly developing field that affects social media, military actions, the way we are governed, our criminal justice and health systems, and many other areas that impact on our lives. In each of these areas, the use of AI can and will create situations that harm or benefit people and also non-human animals. Understanding the nature of these potential harms and benefits, their value and disvalue, and what can enhance, mitigate or remove them, can help to make the widespread adoption of AI technologies ethical and also more publicly acceptable.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Semester Two 2025 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval by the Head of Department
Restrictions
COSC443 and PHIL424
PHIL426
Data Ethics
Description
This course is designed to equip you with foundational knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complex ethical considerations that arise in the rapidly evolving field of data science. You’ll learn to identify, evaluate, and mitigate ethical data issues, exploring concepts such as autonomy, wellbeing, justice, confidentiality, and informed consent. Using a case-based approach, you’ll become confident using data ethics principles at every stage of data analysis to guide your practice, from planning, processing, and sharing analyses. This course has a particular focus on data sovereignty, exploring how data ethics and Te Tiriti o Waitangi connect, looking at Maori sovereignty, partnership and justice. You’ll walk away with a framework to guide your work with data, helping ensure that your processes are appropriate, ethical and impactful.
Occurrences
Special non-calendar-based One 2025 (UC Online)
Special non-calendar-based Two 2025 (UC Online)
Points
10 points
Prerequisites
Entry subject to approval by the Head of School.
PHIL480
Research Essay
Occurrences
Approved Start 2025
Whole Year 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
PHIL481; PHIL485
PHIL482
Research Essay A
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
PHIL481; PHIL485; PHIL480
PHIL483
Research Essay B
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
PHIL481; PHIL485; PHIL480
PHIL493
Philosophical Landmarks
Description
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.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Semester Two 2025 (Distance)
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
PHIL343
PHIL494
Philosophical Logic
Description
An introduction to central topics in philosophical logic. The course includes an introduction to the work of New Zealand philosopher Arthur Prior.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Semester One 2025 (Distance)
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
PHIL305
PHIL497
Meaning, Mind, and the Nature of Philosophy
Description
This course aims to teach the central skills of philosophy - creative thinking plus precision. We look at deep philosophical questions through the eyes of several of the most challenging philosophers of the 20th and 21st centuries. For example: Do we think in words? If I say 'I'm in pain' or ‘I see blue’, do you really know what I mean? Can humans or machines learn to speak ‘Whale’? How can we talk about what doesn't exist - tomorrow, Harry Potter, or the possible world where you win $50 million on Lotto? Is there an impossible world where you can square the circle? Why does every attempt to solve a philosophical problem simply raise more problems, sometimes even worse ones?
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Semester Two 2025 (Distance)
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
PHIL311
PHIL498
History of Philosophy
Description
This course introduces you to the philosophy of the early modern period. We shall pay particular attention to the epistemological and metaphysical questions addressed by Descartes in his Meditations and by Hume in Book 1 of his A Treatise of Human Nature. We also study Hume's moral theory, Locke's epistemology and Berkeley's metaphysics. Topics covered include rationalism and empiricism, dreaming, scepticism, proofs of the existence of God, mind-body dualism, idealism, the nature of self, personal identity, causation, reason and the passions. Is knowledge based on reason or experience? Can I be sure that I'm not dreaming? Can I be sure of anything? When, in any case, is the 'I'? What is the relationship between mind and body? What is it to remain the same person over time? Does the external world exist, and, if so, what is it by nature? Can 'ought' be derived from 'is'? Is morality based on reason of the passions?
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
PHIL310
PHIL499
Moral Psychology
Description
In this course, moral judgement and behaviour is studied by experimental methods. Topics will include methods and approaches, tolerances of political differences, reasoning about morality, character and reputation, morality in the economy, judging intentions, free will, evolution and cultural approaches, and moral diversity.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
PSYC468
PHIL660
MA Dissertation
Description
MA Dissertation
Occurrences
Approved Start 2025
Semester One 2025
Semester Two 2025
Points
60 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
PHIL690
MA Thesis
Occurrences
Approved Start 2025
Points
120 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
PHIL695
MSc Thesis
Occurrences
Approved Start 2025
Points
120 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Programme Coordinator for Philosophy.

Not Offered Courses in 2025

Postgraduate

PHIL426
Data Ethics
Description
This course is designed to equip you with foundational knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complex ethical considerations that arise in the rapidly evolving field of data science. You’ll learn to identify, evaluate, and mitigate ethical data issues, exploring concepts such as autonomy, wellbeing, justice, confidentiality, and informed consent. Using a case-based approach, you’ll become confident using data ethics principles at every stage of data analysis to guide your practice, from planning, processing, and sharing analyses. This course has a particular focus on data sovereignty, exploring how data ethics and Te Tiriti o Waitangi connect, looking at Maori sovereignty, partnership and justice. You’ll walk away with a framework to guide your work with data, helping ensure that your processes are appropriate, ethical and impactful.
Occurrences
PHIL426-25X3 (O)
Special non-calendar-based Three 2025 (UC Online) - Not offered
For further information see PHIL426 course details
PHIL426-25X4 (O)
Special non-calendar-based Four 2025 (UC Online) - Not offered
For further information see PHIL426 course details
Points
10 points
Prerequisites
Entry subject to approval by the Head of School.