Department: Philosophy, Religion & Classics

William T. Myers

Associate Professor and Chair

Office:

HC 222

Contact Information:

Birmingham-Southern College
Box 549013
900 Arkadelphia Rd
Birmingham, AL 35254
Office Phone: (205) 226-4868
Office Fax: (205) 226-3099
E-mail: bmyers@bsc.edu

Personal Web Page

Brief Career Background:

Bill has been at Birmingham-Southern College since 1996. He has taught at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin Community College, and the University of Central Arkansas.

Educational Background:

B.A. Philosophy, University of Central Arkansas, 1986 M.A. Philosophy, The University of Texas at Austin, 1991 Ph.D. Philosophy, The University of Texas at Austin, 1996

Areas of Academic Interest:

• American Philosophy
• Process Philosophy
• Ethics
• Philosophy of Religion

Courses Taught:

PL 200 Ethical Choice (1)
A beginning-level course about moral decision-making. Part of the course focuses on case studies of ethical choices pertaining to property, welfare, violence, punishment, war, and similar topics. The other part of the course is an introduction to ethical theory focusing on the processes by which moral norms are established and critically evaluated. Spring.

PL 201 Introduction to Philosophy (1)
Basic problems and forms of inquiry that have shaped the Western philosophical heritage. The course may focus on problems of morality, religion, political philosophy, and theories about the nature and limits of human knowledge. Fall, Spring.

PL 202 Ethical Issues in Business (1)
A look at some of the major ethical issues facing American businesses today. The approach of the course is to bring the analytical and conceptual tools of ethical theory to major business concerns. In addition to studying such applied issues as corporate social responsibility, affirmative action, and employee rights, the course also has a strong theoretical component. Spring.

PL 241 Logic (1)
A study of semantics, traditional deductive logic, and an introductory approach to symbolic logic.

PL 252 History of Western Philosophy II (1)
Modern philosophy from Descartes through Kant.

PL 304 Topics in American Philosophy (1)
An examination of some aspect of American philosophy. The focus of this course may vary each time it is offered: for example, Jonathan Edwards and the Puritans, the philosophy of the “founding fathers,” Transcendentalism, American Pragmatism, Neo-Pragmatism. With the permission of the philosophy faculty, students may enroll more than once for credit, provided that the focus of the course is different. Prerequisite: one previous course in PL (except PL 241) or consent.

PL 307 Environmental Ethics (1)
A study of one or more of the current trends and theories in environmental ethics. The course may focus on areas such as deep ecology, eco-feminism, sustainability, process ecology, environmental pragmatism, and others (a Leadership Studies designated course). Prerequisite: one previous course in PL (except PL 241) or consent.

PL 361 Topics in Philosophy of Religion (1)
An examination of some issues in the philosophy of religion primarily in the Western tradition. Potential topics include the problem of evil, the nature of God, proofs for God's existence, the nature of faith, and non-traditional concepts of God (e.g., process theology, feminist theology). With the permission of the philosophy faculty, students may enroll more than once for credit, provided that the focus of the course is different. Prerequisite: one previous course in PL (except PL 241) or consent.

PPM 501 Ethics and Managerial Choice

PPM 520 Perspectives on Management