Department News
May 2024
A new course in the Department of Philosophy, PHIL 202 The Good Life, encourages students to engage with the works of great philosophers to find answers to some of life's most pressing questions.
What does it mean to lead a good life? This question is at the centre of Professor Carlos Fraenkel’s PHIL 202: The Good Life, an undergraduate level introductory course in the history of philosophy that challenges students to understand and think through numerous philosophical questions spanning metaphysics, epistemology, psychology, ethics, and politics.
The course aims to introduce students to “unconventional philosophical experiments in living”, with students engaging with the words and works of Socrates, Diogenes, Sartre, and other philosophers.
September 2023
Congratulations to Prof. Jocelyn Maclure who has been elected a Fellow to the Royal Society of Canada's Academy of Arts and Humanities.
Jocelyn Maclure is recognized as both an internationally leading academic philosopher and one of the most relevant public intellectuals in the Quebec and Canadian public spheres. First known for his work in moral and political philosophy on the pluralism of values, public reason, human rights and cultural diversity, he has established himself as one of the main thinkers of secularism, laïcité and freedom of conscience and religion.
June 2023
Congratulations to Prof. Daniel Weinstock on his appointment as Officer of the Order of Canada for his exemplary contributions to the advancement of political philosophy, public policy and social justice in Canada, as a renowned ethicist, philosopher and public intellectual.
July 2020
$2-million gift from Montreal philanthropist Stephen Jarislowsky to explore the impact of new technology on society
The donation will contribute to the establishment of Chair in Technology and Human Nature in McGill’s Department of Philosophy.
As society grapples with myriad technology-related issues, including biases in facial recognition software, algorithms to identify hate speech and misinformation, as well as growing concerns over privacy and data protection, a new Chair in McGill’s Department of Philosophy seeks to bridge the gap between technology and pressing ethical, social and political questions. The Chair will be supported by a $2-million gift from The Jarislowsky Foundation to undertake ground-breaking research and study about technology and its impact on individuals and societies.
The Chair, to be named the Stephen Jarislowsky Chair in Technology and Human Nature, will bring together a deep understanding of new technology along with a strong philosophical perspective on the many issues inherent in the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies which are rapidly changing our world. The timely donation will be matched by McGill in order to endow the Chair’s total cost of $4 million. Read the full story here.