Department of Philosophy

Photo of Ian Hacking.

What is Real?

Philosophy prof Ian Hacking’s ideas about science earn him $800,000 prize

A Shift in Perception

Discoveries in brain science are prompting new theories about how our senses work – and how they affect our understanding of the world

Book cover: The Best Things in Life

Better Living

Happiness is often a component of a good life. But it’s not the only one

What Is Sacred?

Two U of T thinkers debate whether we can ever know what is truly "right" or "wrong"

Donald Ainslie

Thinking Small

Philosophy prof Donald Ainslie will champion interactive group learning as principal of U of T’s largest college

Photo of pics grazing at what appears to be a farm.

The Lives of Animals

Most animals raised for food in Canada live on industrial sites where they never go outdoors. Under our laws, this is perfectly legal, but is it ethical?

Illustration of a man in a coma; a ghost above holds a sign that says

Ending It All

We run our lives as we wish. Why can’t we have a say in our own death?

Photo of an hourglass

The True Nature of Time

A century after Einstein proposed his theory of relativity, scientists are still debating how time works

Is Life Getting Better?

A new measure of national wealth would include health, education and other things Canadians consider important