Q: Can a first-year student take PHIL1068? A: Yes. No philosophy background required.
Q: Is the final exam in-person or online? A: As of 2024, usually in-person, hand-written essays.
Q: Does PHIL1068 discuss LGBTQ+ relationships? A: Yes. Modern syllabi explicitly include same-sex friendship and love, though classical texts (Plato, Aristotle) are historically male-centric. Professors address this bias in lectures.
Q: How do I contact the PHIL1068 coordinator? A: Email the Department of Philosophy: phil@hku.hk. Include your UID and course code.
This guide to PHIL1068 HKU was last updated for the 2024-2025 academic year. Always verify syllabus details on HKU Moodle.
In the halls of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) , there’s a legendary academic "trial" that many students face: PHIL1068: Elementary Logic
. This course isn't just about truth tables or predicates; for many, it’s a story of isolation and intellectual survival. The Lone Quest for Truth Unlike the buzzing lecture halls of HKU, is often a self-study course
. There are no lectures to hide in and no tutorials to guide you. It’s just you, your textbook, and the digital void of an online forum. The story usually begins with a student thinking, "It's just logic, how hard can it be?"
—only to find themselves at 3:00 AM staring at a "Well-formed formula" (WFF) that looks more like an alien transmission than a sentence. The "All-or-Nothing" Midterm The climax of every PHIL1068 semester is the Midterm in LE1 phil1068 hku
. There are no makeup exams. It is a high-stakes moment where students who have been studying in silos finally see their "fellow survivors." The silence in the room is heavy with the mental strain of identifying validity and soundness amidst a sea of symbols. The Survival Rules
To make it through this HKU rite of passage, students often follow an unwritten code: The Collaboration Paradox:
You are permitted to discuss problems, but you must write your derivations alone. It’s a delicate dance of helping friends without failing for plagiarism. The Race Against the 10%:
Every day a problem set is late, 10% of the grade vanishes. In the world of PHIL1068, time is the ultimate logical constant. The Logic Trap:
Because it's open to all faculties, you'll see engineering students who think it's "too easy" and arts students who think it's "too math-heavy." Both are usually humbled by the first derivation exercise.
Ultimately, the "story" of PHIL1068 is one of clarity. By the end, students find that their ability to think systematically
has changed. They no longer see arguments—they see structures. or a breakdown of the current semester's syllabus
A strong report for PHIL1068 would explore solutions that go beyond classical binary logic: Q: Can a first-year student take PHIL1068
For Business students: Understanding "objectification" helps with marketing ethics. For Law students: Consent theory is foundational to sexual assault law. For Psychology students: Philosophical analysis complements empirical research.
Topic: Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Moral Responsibility
Post Title: Who is to blame when the machine fails? The "Responsibility Gap" in AI Ethics
One of the most pressing ethical challenges in our increasingly automated society is the allocation of moral responsibility. As we integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into high-stakes domains—such as autonomous vehicles, medical diagnostics, and judicial sentencing—we encounter a phenomenon philosopher Andreas Matthias calls the "responsibility gap."
Traditionally, we rely on a chain of responsibility. If a manufacturer builds a faulty car, they are liable. If a driver acts negligently, they are blamed. However, modern AI systems, particularly those utilizing deep learning, operate with a degree of autonomy and opacity that disrupts this chain. When a self-driving car causes an accident, who is morally responsible?
The Application of Ethical Frameworks
From a Utilitarian perspective, the focus is on the outcome. If AI drivers cause significantly fewer accidents than human drivers, a utilitarian might argue that the technology is ethically justified, and the specific "blame" for a rare accident is less important than the overall net benefit to society. However, this does not solve the practical issue of justice for the victim. If no one is blamed, there is no deterrent against future negligence in programming or training.
Deontological (Duty-based) ethics faces a different hurdle. Immanuel Kant argued that moral agency requires the capacity for practical reason and the ability to act according to moral laws. An AI can simulate decision-making, but it lacks the intentionality and rational autonomy that Kant requires. We cannot "dutifully" punish a machine, nor can the machine feel guilt or remorse. If we cannot hold the machine responsible, and the programmer did not explicitly code the error (because the AI "learned" it), we are left with a moral void. This guide to PHIL1068 HKU was last updated
The Way Forward
I argue that relying solely on traditional individual moral responsibility is insufficient for the AI age. Following the work of philosopher Helen Nissenbaum, we should shift toward a model of distributed responsibility. Instead of looking for a single "moral agent," we must recognize that the responsibility lies within a network involving the programmers, the data trainers, the regulatory bodies, and the end-users.
In conclusion, the emergence of AI does not just create new technical problems; it exposes the limitations of our traditional moral vocabulary. If we are to coexist with autonomous systems, we must evolve our ethical frameworks to close the responsibility gap, ensuring that technology remains a tool for human flourishing rather than a shield for moral negligence.
PHIL1068 is notorious for "imposter syndrome"—feeling that everyone else understands Hegel or Heidegger except you. A study group allows you to test your explanations on peers. If you can explain Kant’s categorical imperative to a biology major, you understand it.
Focus: Practical philosophy.
Key question for tutorials: Is utilitarianism compatible with individual rights, or does deontology provide a stronger foundation for justice?
Q: Can I take PHIL1068 if I have no philosophy background? A: Yes. The "Introduction" title is accurate. However, strong reading comprehension and basic logic (identifying premises/conclusions) are helpful.
Q: Is PHIL1068 counted toward a Philosophy major/minor? A: Yes. It is a core introductory course required for all philosophy majors at HKU.
Q: How does PHIL1068 differ from PHIL1069? A: PHIL1068 covers Western philosophy. PHIL1069 ("Introduction to Eastern Philosophy") covers Chinese, Indian, and Buddhist traditions. They complement each other.
Q: Which textbook is used? A: There is no single textbook. The reader (available through HKU Copy Centre) includes excerpts from: