PHIL 5240 Figures in Analytic Philosophy

This course examines the evolution of Anglo-American philosophy throughout the 20th century, with particular emphasis on the development of analytical philosophy. Central to our inquiry will be an epistemological and metaphysical analysis of pivotal themes through the works of major figures such as W. V. Quine, Donald Davidson, and Hilary Putnam. The course aims to illuminate the interplay between historical context and philosophical innovation, focusing on the concept of truth and its implications for the metaphysical concerns of contemporary analytic thought.

Course overview

Department
Philosophy
School
MCAS
Credits
3
Level
Both

Requirements fulfilled

Requirement eligibility can vary by school, cohort, and section. Confirm the selected section in EagleApps or with an advisor.

Course evaluations

Response-weighted averages from Boston College’s official course evaluations (Avalanche/Blue).

Course rating
4.17 / 5 · Very Good
6 responses
Instructor rating
4.00 / 5 · Very Good
6 responses
Terms evaluated
2
Most recent: Spring 2026

Scales: overall ratings run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); agreement questions from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); weekly effort from 1 (up to 1 hour) to 5 (10 or more hours).

Evaluations by term and instructor
TermInstructorCourse overallInstructor overallWell organizedClear learning objectivesIntellectually challengingHelpful assignmentsApplicable beyond courseAttendance necessaryWeekly effortResponses
Spring 2026Philip Larrey4.04.04.54.54.54.54.04.0—3 of 6
Spring 2025Philip Larrey4.34.04.34.34.34.74.74.74–6 hrs/week3 of 6

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

  • Philip Larrey
    Spring 2027, Spring 2026, Spring 2025 · Official rating 4.00/5

Sections

  • Section 01
    Spring 2027 · Philip Larrey · Campion Hall 231 TuTh 12:00 Noon-01:15PM · Offered