I am an associate professor in the Department of Philosophy, Religious Studies and Interdisciplinary Humanities, at the The University of West Florida, teaching courses in philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, and of late in the philosophy of sex and love. A copy of my Curriculum Vitae is linked here. You may e-mail me at npower@uwf.edu.
Scroll down for information on my Current Course Offerings, my Future Course Offerings, some scant Course Materials, as well as links to my professional and not so professional associations.
PHM 3200 Social and Political Philosophy
Traces the development of the liberal tradition from Plato through Hobbes and up to Rawls, as well as its socialist and libertarian critiques. Syllabus
PHI 2603 Ethics and Contemporary Society
Introduces and then applies classical ethical theories of Aristotle, Kant, Mill and of the Natural Law tradition to contemporary controversies such as euthanasia, abortion, and the environment. Syllabus
Future Classes:
PHM 4020 Philosophy of Sex & Love (Summer 09, online)
This course will examine philosophical theories of love (comparing and contrasting Platonic and Christian theories). It will also explore some of the philosophical aspects of sexuality, including its conceptual and/or normative connections to love, the nature of sexual perversion, pornography, homosexuality, among other topics. Syllabus
PHI 3670 Ethics
Ethics is the branch of philosophy that attempts to answer the central question here, which is "What determines the standards for right and wrong?" Western philosophers have been discussing this question, and attempting to provide a theoretical foundation for ethics, for over 2000 years. In this course we will trace the historical development of their views. Syllabus
PHI 2010 Intro to Philosophy
Just what it sounds like; this fulfills General Studies and Gordon Rule writing requirements, and is a blast to the brainbox. Here's a syllabus
PHI 3400 Philosophy of Science . . . . . Spring
Concepts and types of explanation used in sciences. May include differences between natural and social sciences, inductive reasoning and scientific explanation, and relation of science to society. A representative version of the syllabus is here
PHI 3320 Philosophy of Mind . . . . . . Fall
Various theories of the relation between the mind and body, and of consciousness and its place in a natural world. The syllabus for a recent edition is here.
Review of Ann Van Sevenant's "Sexual Outercourse: Philosophy of Lovemaking"
On Losing Debate to A Creation Scientist
Evolutionary Psychology and Romantic Love
My oldest daughter Hannah (16)
My youngest daughter Molly (9)
My cat, Dharma, in a position Konrad Lorenz would appreciate
Picture of Dr. Nick at 7 courtesy of Martin Phelan.
