PHIL 110BIntroduction to Philosophy: Ethics and Values
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Philosophy
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This introduction to philosophy focuses specifically on the field of ethics. Students taking the course will engage with prominent theoretical frameworks in ethics (e.g., utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics), the specific values that these frameworks prioritize, and their applications to real-world ethical issues. Throughout the course, emphasis is given to the role of philosophical argumentation in addressing ethical questions. Students will develop their skills in analyzing and evaluating philosophical arguments and work toward effectively communicating their learning through written work.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- PHIL101 - Challenging Ideas: An Introduction to Philosophy (0.50)
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 081 | 3958 | 49 / 50 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
61% liked it71% easy45% useful
From 54 ratings and 13 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
The course is okay if you keep on top of the lessons. I took it online and found that the readings were pretty unnecessary. Essay 1 needed you to use the readings only but I don't think I did many readings after that because the lectures would pretty much go over the main points and then the analysis of them. The first essay was harder marking but after that I got used to the style. What I found is that philosophy is basically English for people who hate formal writing. The goal is to be more thought-provoking and in a way take the reader through your thought process. Take home midterm and final and only 2 essays make up the entire grade. Notetaking wise I would use a transcriber app to…
May 2024 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Only take this course if you like to suffer. The amount of time and effort spent on essays and readings is not worth it. The course began by saying something like "a lot of people make fun of philosophers but I hope by taking this course you'll be able to understand them better blah blah blah" but honestly if anything, it made me want to make fun of them even more.
Jan 2021 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Wow so like since this hasn't had a review in like 3 years might as well do this. I took this course online (not sure if they have on campus but I only had the choice for online) and the breakdown was Essay Assignment 1 (15%), Take-Home Midterm (25%) Formatted with 3 Paragraph Style Questions and 1 Mini Essay, Essay Assignment 2 (25%) and Final Exam (35% but can be 40% if you do better than Mitdterm). Since I did this during COVID-19 the Final became an optional Take-Home Final, I'm no sure if the Format would've ben the same but it was 5 Short Answer Questions, and Mini Essay on 1 of 2 Topics. This course isn't as easy as you'd think with 12 Modules with 2-3 Video Lectures and Associated…
Apr 2020 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Specific to Patricia Marino's section - you can skip the readings (something like 50 pages a week!) if you just attend lectures. You don't need to both read and go to lecture basically. Do one of them. But its much more time efficient to just go to lecture. Also, in class Prof. Marino explains things really well. All this to say that my mark went up over the three tests as I shifted from doing the readings AND going to lecture (sometimes prioritizing doing the readings and skipping lecture) to just going to lecture (surprisingly!).
Apr 2016 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Awesome course. I'm majoring in Philosophy now.
Nov 2015 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
19 posts and comments in 17 threads mention PHIL 110B, July 2014 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2023
PHIL 110B 1 point, 1 comment
u/existentially_amess: “… Just wondering if there's anyone on here that's taken PHIL 110B online or in-person (but especially online), and how they liked the course? I really enjoyed philosophy in high school but I'm a little hesitant about whether I should take it in uni. …”
Fall 2020
Phil 110B 2 points, 0 comments
Spring 2020
Thoughts on Phil 110B online? 1 point, 1 comment
u/schrute123: “Opinions on Phil 110B online? As well, does anyone know if Matthew Steven William Silk is a good prof?”
Winter 2020
Got switched into PHIL110B/PHIL 105 2 points, 2 comments
u/widdendream123: “PHIL110B and PHIL105 seem to be equivalent, hence the title. …”
Got Switched into PHIL110B 1 point, 0 comments
Winter 2018
Any of you taking Phil 110B online? 5 points, 7 comments
u/CatsRUs_: “Wondering what some of your opinions are on the course and with the prof this term?”
Fall 2017
Textbooks? 0 points, 9 comments
u/legit_misao: “I'm taking BIOL 273 (in-class) and PHIL 110B (online) next term. I was wondering if the textbooks are helpful/necessary for these courses as from previous experiences I barely used the textbook despite the professors saying that the textbook is mandatory. …”
Spring 2017
[Discussion]Most impactful course at UW for you? 5 points, 29 comments
“What's the most impactful course you've taken here? How did it change you / your thoughts? Do you think you would've come across this knowledge if you hadn't taken the course? …”
u/yaenv: “PHIL 110B- ethics course, really makes u question why we make certain decisions and stuff it's a class that definitely makes you think, take with gregory andres!”
ENVE 1A CSE 1 Elective 0 points, 5 comments
“I need to pick an elective soon does anyone have any recommendations for which elective I should choose? Are there any electives that most ENVE 1A students choose?”
u/aireaz: “… Myself and a bunch of others I knew in my class took phil 110B - Introduction to philosophy: ethics and values with professor Brian Orend. Personally, I thought it was a really great course, great professor who made lectures interesting and course material was not difficult. …”
Spring 2016
PHIL 110B vs PHIL120 2 points, 3 comments
u/achaud1: “Can anyone speak on how these two courses were or how they are different from each other? Conflicted on which one to take.. what's the workload like for either one? Thanks!”
Help! PHIL 110B 1 point, 7 comments
u/jellybeans31: “planning on taking this is in the fall term, any help would be appreciated. Course load/ prof.”
Whats your biggest achievement at uw? 8 points, 41 comments
u/Demoserth: “In PHIL110B we were told that unlike high school we could not just write the essays the night before. Of course this is a lie. Did that for both essays. Got 95. Praise Mother Goose. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
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- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
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