PHILOS 154
Topics in Value Theory: Rationality and Action
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Requisite: course 6 or 7 or 22. Selected topics concerning normative issues in practical rationality or philosophy of action. Topics may include moral and practical dilemmas, nature of reasons for action, rationality of morality and prudence, weakness of will, freedom of will, and decision theory. May be repeated for credit with consent of instructor. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
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Most Helpful Review
This class was extremely boring and difficult. Her lectures were ineffective and the reading was hard to grasp. I had to attend her office hours to help clarify the information she gave us in class. Although I am sure she is a brilliant person, she cannot teach. Hopefully in time she will get better.
This class was extremely boring and difficult. Her lectures were ineffective and the reading was hard to grasp. I had to attend her office hours to help clarify the information she gave us in class. Although I am sure she is a brilliant person, she cannot teach. Hopefully in time she will get better.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2024 - Do not take this class no matter what. Offers no actual education literally do not know what the point of the reading or lectures were. Supposed to learn 'what it means to say you intend something'. Yeah could not tell you the answer. Literally had to fight falling asleep in every lecture. He talks very softly and formally, almost like he's talking in riddles. Also asks everything as a question but does not mean it as a question. There are 5 hw assignments, you need to complete 3 on time and submit 2 for a grade at the end. He doesn't say it explicitly but he wants them to be fairly lengthy (1-2+ pages). The midterm is two short-essay questions also need to be long but won't say it. Final is a LONG essay on a question of your choice. Would be easy if I knew what we learned so I could answer the question. He is also a hard grader. I thought it would be an easy A bc it's the average of your two hw assignments, midterm and final grade taken into account. Then lowest of the three is dropped and your final grade is the average of the remaining two. Literally the only reason I did not drop this class was cause I thought it was worth the 'easy-A', little did I know how hard he grades. Also went to his oh a few times and he was very dismissive like he didn't want me there? Like my friends who there actually thought he hated me or something even though that was the first convo I had w the guy.
Winter 2024 - Do not take this class no matter what. Offers no actual education literally do not know what the point of the reading or lectures were. Supposed to learn 'what it means to say you intend something'. Yeah could not tell you the answer. Literally had to fight falling asleep in every lecture. He talks very softly and formally, almost like he's talking in riddles. Also asks everything as a question but does not mean it as a question. There are 5 hw assignments, you need to complete 3 on time and submit 2 for a grade at the end. He doesn't say it explicitly but he wants them to be fairly lengthy (1-2+ pages). The midterm is two short-essay questions also need to be long but won't say it. Final is a LONG essay on a question of your choice. Would be easy if I knew what we learned so I could answer the question. He is also a hard grader. I thought it would be an easy A bc it's the average of your two hw assignments, midterm and final grade taken into account. Then lowest of the three is dropped and your final grade is the average of the remaining two. Literally the only reason I did not drop this class was cause I thought it was worth the 'easy-A', little did I know how hard he grades. Also went to his oh a few times and he was very dismissive like he didn't want me there? Like my friends who there actually thought he hated me or something even though that was the first convo I had w the guy.
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Most Helpful Review
I had the opportunity to take Philosophy 154 last Quarter with Professor Kaiser, and what an opportunity it was. I was actually dreading taking this class after hearing how other professors had presented the material and structured the class. However, Kaiser's lectures, engaging presentation of the material, and easy-going style made the class altogether interesting and time spent worthwhile. It was the only class that I actually looked forward to attending. The reading selections effectively supplemented his lectures and were not too technical for even the non-philosophy major. His willingness and availability outside of class were also most helpful in my ability to comprehend the course material's most difficult points. The subject matter was fairly sophisticated, but I felt that Kaiser's knowledge and presentation of the various texts and subject matter made the material easy to understand and interesting. When it comes to determinism and free-will (the course subject matter) he definitely seemed to be the "Go-to Guy." Great personality and funny too. I'd give him an A and would not hesitate to sign up to take any class that he teaches, but I hope, for other students' sake that he teaches this class again.
I had the opportunity to take Philosophy 154 last Quarter with Professor Kaiser, and what an opportunity it was. I was actually dreading taking this class after hearing how other professors had presented the material and structured the class. However, Kaiser's lectures, engaging presentation of the material, and easy-going style made the class altogether interesting and time spent worthwhile. It was the only class that I actually looked forward to attending. The reading selections effectively supplemented his lectures and were not too technical for even the non-philosophy major. His willingness and availability outside of class were also most helpful in my ability to comprehend the course material's most difficult points. The subject matter was fairly sophisticated, but I felt that Kaiser's knowledge and presentation of the various texts and subject matter made the material easy to understand and interesting. When it comes to determinism and free-will (the course subject matter) he definitely seemed to be the "Go-to Guy." Great personality and funny too. I'd give him an A and would not hesitate to sign up to take any class that he teaches, but I hope, for other students' sake that he teaches this class again.
Most Helpful Review
Not a good professor, while the class is not very difficult, as a student it is very stressful because he is wildly disorganized. It appears that he has no idea what he will talk about in class and the syllabus changes weekly. None of the assignments are on a set schedule so it is impossible to plan on when to work for this class. His lectures are basically just him restating the readings and grading of assignments, if it happens, is done at a snails pace. I came into the class expecting a great professor who engaged the students, this is not what I got. Although he seems intelligent, intelligence is not the only factor when it comes to teaching. I don't know why he is rated so highly by most students because the truth is he is one of the worst professors I have had.
Not a good professor, while the class is not very difficult, as a student it is very stressful because he is wildly disorganized. It appears that he has no idea what he will talk about in class and the syllabus changes weekly. None of the assignments are on a set schedule so it is impossible to plan on when to work for this class. His lectures are basically just him restating the readings and grading of assignments, if it happens, is done at a snails pace. I came into the class expecting a great professor who engaged the students, this is not what I got. Although he seems intelligent, intelligence is not the only factor when it comes to teaching. I don't know why he is rated so highly by most students because the truth is he is one of the worst professors I have had.
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