Logic and Philosophy of Science LPS

LPS 19 AI Literacy

Units

4

Same as SOC SCI 19

Introduction to the basics of contemporary artificial intelligence. Distinction between symbolic and neural AIs. Generative AI, prediction engines, recommendation systems, machine perception. Near-term ethical issues, medium-term economic implications, long-term risk, and safety.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 29 Critical Reasoning

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 29

(II and Vb.)

Introduction to analysis and reasoning. The concepts of argument, premise, and conclusion, validity and invalidity, consistency and inconsistency. Identifying and assessing premises and inferences. Deductive versus inductive reasoning, and introduction to the probability calculus. Evaluating definitions. Informal fallacies.

Offered: Fall 2026 (13 sections)

LPS 30 Introduction to Symbolic Logic

Units

4

Same as LSCI 43, PHILOS 30

(Vb)

An introduction to the symbolism and methods of the logic of statements, including evaluation of arguments by truth tables, the techniques of natural deduction, and semantic tableaux.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 31 Introduction to Inductive Logic

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 31

(II and Va)

Philosophical questions concerning the foundations of scientific inference, e.g., the traditional problem of induction, the Goodman paradox, the concept of cause, Mill's method of inductive reasoning, probability calculus, different interpretations of probability, and their interaction in inductive reasoning.

Offered: Fall 2026 (10 sections)

LPS 40 The Nature of Scientific Inquiry

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 41

(II)

Investigates the nature, scope, and status of scientific knowledge and the methods used to acquire it. Uses concrete historical examples from a variety of scientific fields to identify distinctive features of the scientific enterprise and explore their significance.

Offered: Fall 2026 (1 section)

LPS 50 Science in the Public Sphere

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 51

(II or III)

Investigates the role of science in a democratic society. Discusses the scope and limits of scientific knowledge in the context of arguments for the special status of science in political decision-making. Uses concrete historical examples from a variety of fields.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 60 The Making of Modern Science

Units

4

Same as HISTORY 60

(II or IV)

Surveys the history of science and mathematics since the Scientific Revolution, examining central developments both chronologically and thematically, as well as investigating their significance for contemporary philosophical debates about the role and status of current scientific theories.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS H81 What is Space?

Units

4

Restrictions: Campuswide Honors Collegium only

(II)

Historical, philosophical, scientific exploration of the concept of "space." Questions of interest include: What kind of a thing is space? How can we know what space is like? How is space different from time?

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS H83 Evolutionary Foundations of Human Moral Psychology

Units

4

Restrictions: Campuswide Honors Collegium only

(II or III.)

Examines origin and function(s) of human moral psychology from an evolutionary point of view, drawing on theories and experimental findings from evolutionary biology, social psychology, developmental and comparative psychology, primatology, anthropology, and philosophy.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 91 Sex, Race, and Science

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 91

Overlaps with LPS H91

(III)

Discusses the origins of biological sex, dynamics of sexual selection, sex differences in humans, and the construction of gender in human societies. Seeks to understand the role social values play in the creation of science.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS H91 The Philosophy and Biology of Sex

Units

4

Restrictions: Campuswide Honors Collegium only

(II and III)

Covers the origins of biological sex, dynamics of sexual selection, the evolution and cultural creation of sexual behavior in humans, and the construction of gender in human societies.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS H95 Jurisprudence and Constitutional Law

Units

4

Restrictions: Campuswide Honors Collegium only

(III)

Applies competing theories of the nature of law and legal reasoning to evaluate decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court in controversial areas of constitutional law such as free speech, privacy, sexual conduct, affirmative action, and political campaign contributions.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 100W Writing Philosophy

Units

4

Prerequisite

Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement

Same as PHILOS 100W

(Ib)

Discussion of those aspects of writing of special importance in philosophy, e.g., philosophical terminology, techniques for evaluating arguments, philosophical definitions and theories. At least 4,000 words of assigned composition based on philosophical readings.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 104 Introduction to Logic

Units

4

Same as LSCI 142, PHILOS 104

Introduction to sentence logic, including truth tables and natural deduction; and to predicate logic, including semantics and natural deduction.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 105A Introduction to Set Theory and Mathematical Reasoning

Units

4

Same as LSCI 145A, PHILOS 105A

An introduction to the basic working vocabulary of mathematical reasoning and proof. Topics include sets, Boolean operations, ordered n-tuples, relations, functions, induction, and their applications to mathematical philosophy.

Offered: Fall 2026 (1 section)

LPS 105B Metalogic

Units

4

Prerequisite

LSCI 145A or LPS 105A or PHILOS 105A

Same as LSCI 145B, PHILOS 105B

Overlaps with MATH 150

Introduction to formal syntax (proof theory) and semantics (model theory) for first-order logic, including the deduction, completeness, compactness, and Löewenheim-Skolem theorems.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 105C Undecidability and Incompleteness

Units

4

Prerequisite

LSCI 145B or LPS 105B or PHILOS 105B

Same as LSCI 145C, PHILOS 105C

Concurrent: LPS 205C

Introduction to the formal theory of effective processes, including recursive functions, Turing machines, Church's thesis, and proofs of Göedel's incompleteness theorem for arithmetic, and Church's undecidability theorem for first-order logic.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 106 Topics in Logic

Units

4

Prerequisite

(LPS 105A or PHILOS 105A or LSCI 145A) and (LPS 105B or PHILOS 105B or LSCI 145B) and (LPS 105C or PHILOS 105C or LSCI 145C)

Same as LSCI 106, PHILOS 106

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Selected topics in mathematical or philosophical logic.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 108 Topics in Induction, Probability, and Decision Theory

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 108

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Selected topics in induction, probability, and decision theory.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 113 Topics in Modern Philosophy

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 113

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Focuses on the works of central philosophical figures of modern Philosophy (e.g., Descartes, Leibniz, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Kant) or on the treatment of one or more central philosophical problems by a number of these figures.

Offered: Fall 2026 (1 section)

LPS 115 Topics in History of Analytic Philosophy

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 115

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Review of central theories or figures in the history of analytic philosophy. Emphasis on writings of Frege, Russell, Schlick, Carnap, and Quine. Topics include the nature of meaning and truth, the synthetic/analytic distinction, and scientific knowledge.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 120 Topics in Metaphysics

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 120

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Examines central philosophical questions concerning our own fundamental nature and that of the world around us (e.g., causation and necessity, determination, free will, personal identity, the mind-body problem).

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 121 Topics in the Theory of Knowledge

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 121

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

One or more topics in the theory of knowledge, e.g., the nature of rational justification, of perceptual knowledge, of a priori knowledge.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS H123 What is Disease?

Units

4

Restrictions: Campuswide Honors Collegium only

(II)

Explores philosophical issues associated with scientific efforts to understand and explain disease.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS H125 What Is Time?

Units

4

Restrictions: Campuswide Honors Collegium only

(III)

Engages the question "what is time?" by drawing on physics, philosophy, fiction, film, and psychology. Organized around understanding and addressing the tension between time as represented in physics and our immediate temporal experience.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 135A The Scientific Revolution

Units

4

Same as HISTORY 135A, PHILOS 135A

An examination of early modern European science from 1500-1700. Includes primary readings from central figures (Copernicus, Harvey, Bacon, Descartes, et al.); themes include the impact of printing, humanism, patronage, technology, and discussion of the term "revolution" in this context.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 140 Topics in Philosophy of Science

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 140

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Selected topics in contemporary philosophy of science, e.g., the status of theoretical entities, the confirmation of theories, the nature of scientific explanation.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 141B Geometry and Spacetime

Units

4

Prerequisite

MATH 2D and (MATH 3A or MATH 6G)

Same as PHILOS 141B

An examination of the foundations of the special theory of relativity, with emphasis on the geometry of Minkowski spacetime, and its relation to both Euclidean and non-Euclidean (hyperbolic) plane geometries.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 141D Probability and Determinism

Units

4

Prerequisite

MATH 2D and (MATH 3A or MATH 6G)

Same as PHILOS 141D

An examination of a cluster of interrelated issues concerning probability, determinism, logic, and the foundations of quantum mechanics.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS H141 Honors Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics

Units

4

Overlaps with LPS 141C

Restrictions: Campuswide Honors Collegium only

An examination of the standard von Neumann-Dirac formulation of quantum mechanics. The quantum measurement problem is discussed along with several proposed solutions, including GRW, many-worlds, man-minds, and Bohm's theory.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 143 Topics in Philosophy of Psychology

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 143

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Restrictions: Philosophy majors have the first consideration for enrollment

Selected topics in the philosophy of psychology, e.g., the nature of psychological explanation, reductionism, issues in cognitive, behavioral, and neuroscience.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 144 Topics in Philosophy of Social Science

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 144

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Selected topics in the philosophy of the social sciences, e.g.: Is their goal to understand behavior or to predict and control it? Are they normative and the natural sciences not? Do they incorporate philosophical doctrines about language and mind?

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 145 Topics in Philosophy of Language

Units

4

Same as LSCI 141, PHILOS 145

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Selected topics in the philosophy of language, e.g., the nature of meaning, mechanisms of reference, speech acts.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 147 Topics in Philosophy of Mathematics

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 147

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Selected historical and contemporary topics in the philosophy of mathematics, e.g., mathematical truth and ontology, mathematical knowledge, the nature and role of proof, the workings of mathematics in application.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 199 Independent Study

Units

1-4

Repeatability: May be taken for credit for 12 units

Independent research with Logic and Philosophy of Science faculty.

Offered: Fall 2026 (12 sections)

LPS 205A Introduction to Set Theory and Mathematical Reasoning

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 205A

An introduction to the basic working vocabulary of mathematical reasoning and proof. Topics include sets, Boolean operations, ordered n-tuples, relations, functions, induction, and their applications to mathematical philosophy.

Offered: Fall 2026 (1 section)

LPS 205B Metalogic

Units

4

Prerequisite

PHILOS 205A with a minimum grade of B- or LPS 205A with a minimum grade of B-

Same as PHILOS 205B

Formal syntax (proof theory) and semantics (model theory) for first-order logic, including the deduction, completeness, compactness, and Loewenheim-Skolem theorems.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 205C Undecidability and Incompleteness

Units

4

Prerequisite

PHILOS 205B with a minimum grade of B- or LPS 205B with a minimum grade of B-

Same as PHILOS 205C

Concurrent: LPS 105C

Formal theory of effective processes, including recursive function, Turing machines, Church's thesis, proofs of Goedel's incompleteness theorem for arithmetics, and Church's undecidability for first-order logic.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 206 Topics in Logic

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 206

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Studies in selected areas of logic. Topics addressed vary each quarter.

Offered: Fall 2026 (1 section)

LPS 213 Topics in Modern Philosophy

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 213

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Studies in selected areas of modern philosophy. Topics addressed vary each quarter.

Offered: Fall 2026 (1 section)

LPS 215 Topics in Analytic Philosophy

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 215

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Studies in selected areas of analytic philosophy. Topics addressed vary each quarter.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 220 Topics in Metaphysics

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 220

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Studies in selected areas of metaphysics. Topics addressed vary each quarter.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 221 Topics in Epistemology

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 221

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Studies in selected areas of epistemology. Topics addressed vary each quarter.

Offered: Fall 2026 (1 section)

LPS 221A Medical Epistemology

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 221A

Analysis of epistemological issues concerning medical research and healthcare. Topics may include medical evidence, transmission of medical knowledge in the doctor-patient interaction, medical expertise, epistemology of medical disagreement, classification of illness, well-being, philosophy of pain, or medical decision making.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 232 Topics in Political and Social Philosophy

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 232

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Studies in selected areas of political and social philosophy. Topics addressed vary each quarter.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 240 Topics in Philosophy of Science

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 240

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Studies in selected areas of philosophy of science. Topics addressed vary each quarter.

Offered: Fall 2026 (2 sections)

LPS 241 Topics in Philosophy of Physics

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 241

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Studies in selected areas of philosophy of physics. Topics addressed vary each quarter.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 242 Topics in Philosophy of Biology

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 242

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Studies in selected areas of philosophy of biology. Topics addressed vary each quarter.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 243 Topics in Philosophy of Psychology

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 243

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Selected topics in the philosophy of psychology, e.g., the nature of psychological explanation, reductionism, issues in cognitive, behavioral, and neuroscience.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 244 Topics in Philosophy of Social Science

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 244

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Studies in selected areas of philosophy and social science. Topics addressed vary each quarter.

Offered: Fall 2026 (1 section)

LPS 244A PPE Proseminar I

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 244A

Introduces tools and concepts useful for working in the intersection of philosophy, political science, and economics. These are drawn from probability theory, decision theory, and the psychology of belief, knowledge, and rational choice.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 244B PPE Proseminar II

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 244B

Introduces some of the main theoretical topics at the intersection of philosophy, political science, and economics. PPE II covers (1) Rational Choice based game theory, (2) Evolutionary Game Theory, and (3) Voting and Social Choice.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 245 Topics in Philosophy of Language

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 245

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Studies in selected areas of philosophy of language. Topics addressed vary each quarter.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 246 Topics in Philosophy of Logic

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 246

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Studies in selected areas of philosophy of logic. Topics addressed vary each quarter.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 247 Topics in Philosophy of Mathematics

Units

4

Same as PHILOS 247

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary

Studies in selected areas of philosophy of mathematics. Topics addressed vary each quarter.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

LPS 289 Logic and Philosophy of Science Workshop

Units

1-4

Grading Option: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times

A two- or three-quarter-long workshop on selected topics in logic and philosophy of science.

Offered: Fall 2026 (1 section)

LPS 298 Independent Study

Units

4-12

Repeatability: May be taken for credit for 12 units

Independent research with Logic and Philosophy of Science Faculty.

Offered: Fall 2026 (12 sections)

LPS 299 Directed Research

Units

1-12

Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times

Directed study with Logic and Philosophy of Science Faculty.

Offered: Fall 2026 (12 sections)

LPS 399 University Teaching

Units

4-12

Grading Option: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only

Repeatability: May be taken for credit for 12 units

Required of and limited to Teaching Assistants.

Offered: Fall 2026 (1 section)