PHIL 257Philosophy of Mathematics
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Philosophy
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Philosophy of mathematics considers questions about mathematical objects, truth, and methodology. What are numbers? Is mathematics a human creation or something we discover? What are the proper methods of reasoning in mathematics, and what makes them the right ones? Is there something miraculous about the way mathematics is applicable in science? By engaging with readings, lectures, and class discussions, students in this course will learn why these questions have sparked a wide range of answers. Students will learn to formulate their own ideas about these questions and will learn to communicate those ideas orally and in writing.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Reviewed on UW Flow
33% liked it25% easy0% useful
From 3 ratings and 1 comment on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Grading scheme was 2 papers, 2 tests and a final. The tests were multiple choice and short answer and were just a knowledge check. The marking for the papers felt subjective, my mark increased between the two papers but the comments felt the same so it was hard to tell where I lost marks on or what I improved on. Prof. Marino allowed documented use of generative AI on the papers which is why she added a final, which was just writing a paper without any aids based on the topics she gave us. I went into the course thinking it'd be interesting, but didn't end up finding any of the readings interesting and I also wasn't a fan of Prof. Marino's teaching style, which is unfortunate.
Mar 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
2 posts and comments in 2 threads mention PHIL 257, January 2022 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 2022
MATH 135 retake 39 points, 39 comments
“I got 55 on my final exam. I know I have to retake the course. It's very depressing. Is it common to retake MATH 135 again in 1B?”
u/unununium333: “I did but idk how common it is. It was the first year of the pandemic and I had trouble adjusting to online classes”
u/chonglibloodsport: “… Math is a muscle you need to exercise, not a philosophy to read about (unless you take PHIL 257). As for co-op, most employers don't care if you re-take or pass courses. They care about your experience and your performance on the job (previous co-op evals). …”
Winter 2022
PHIL 257 1 point, 0 comments
u/gtheory112: “anyone know anything about this course - I found it in the course calendar and thought it looked interesting but i can’t find any information about when it’s offered or past offerings. Cheers”
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
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them