Course Description: An examination of some central issues in philosophy, using the occurrence of those issues in science fiction as a starting point. Topics to be covered will likely include the following: Can machines think? Through what changes can our self-identity persist? What kinds of beings count as persons? Should we interfere in other cultures? Is time-travel possible? Could the world be a huge illusion?
This course focuses primarily on the traditional philosophical issues raised in science fiction rather than on the science fiction itself as literary or cinematic. But the settings for framing these problems comes from science fiction readings, movies, and television.
A fuller web page will go up as the Fall 2010 semester approches. For now, you can get
a copy of the (very preliminary) syllabus here, or email me at ron at albany
dot edu if you have questions about the course.