Current instructor

Harry Brighouse

/5Adjusted rating
/5RMP difficulty
captured reviews
About this rating

Raw average: 4.57/5 from 53 quality ratings. The adjusted rating blends this with the UW review average (3.66/5), weighted as 20 additional ratings. Smaller samples stay closer to that average. Each captured review is counted once in the prior; this does not correct who chooses to leave a review.

RMP profile ↗ · All captured review dates; profile matched by name.

What students say

Original student reviews · all captured dates

PHIL555 · course not matched
Quality 5/5Difficulty 3/5
Professor Brighouse really encourages students to think and dig into the material. Philos 555 is very heavily discussion based, so you get to hear what classmates think. I think this was a great way to engage with the material you learn because it was dense at times.
Rate My Professors ↗
PHIL341 · course not matched
Quality 5/5Difficulty 2/5
Prof. Brighouse is amazing at his job. He makes philosophy an intriguing topic and does not dissuade you from any opinions you may have, just cares about if you used critical thinking skills. Overall, the class is not too difficult, and do not have to go to lecture/discussion to succeed. I do recommend going though, because Brighouse is really good
Rate My Professors ↗
PHILOS 341
Quality 5/5Difficulty 2/5
Favorite class I've ever taken at UW Madison. Lectures are engaging, though he gets off topic often. Lecture is more like a discussion and much of the time the students are doing most of the talking. 2 exams, 2 essays, and weekly discussion posts. Every single paper/topic is interesting and all views are respected in the class. Highly recommend!
Rate My Professors ↗
PHIL341 · course not matched
Quality 5/5Difficulty 3/5
Dr. Brighouse is hilarious and covers material thoroughly without taking a clear side. He plays devil's advocate when students don't take a position, and is respectful of all views. I took this class as my only space for an elective, and def recommend you take it, even if on the fence. Best class I have taken at UW, and change your worldview.
Rate My Professors ↗
PHIL341 · course not matched
Quality 5/5Difficulty 3/5
Brighouse is amazing, I loved this class. Lectures are more like discussions and it is a great atmosphere. Be sure to do the assigned readings before class so you understand the discussion. The more you put into this class the more your will get out of it.
Rate My Professors ↗
PHIL341 · course not matched
Quality 5/5Difficulty 3/5
Probably the best professor I've ever had. Lecture is extremely interesting, he engages with students, and encourages discussion. Such a great course!!
Rate My Professors ↗

Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.

Classes with Harry Brighouse

C&ESOC/HISTORY/POLISCI/SOC 259

Forward? the Wisconsin Idea, Past and Present

1–3 credits

Explores the history, current meaning, and future of the Wisconsin Idea through reflection and dialogue.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Harry Brighouse

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2023–Fall 2023 · limited sample
PHILOS 304

Topics in Philosophy: Humanities

3–4 credits

PHILOS 304 is a topics course examining selected subjects in philosophy, specifically within the humanities.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Harry Brighouse is described as funny, smart, and excellent at inspiring discussion in small class settings. Reviewers note he is compassionate, cares about student success, and keeps classes engaging.

Harry BrighouseElizabeth Brake+1 more

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2023–Fall 2024 · limited sample
PHILOS 541

Modern Ethical Theories

3 credits

PHILOS 541 explores ethical theories and problems from the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Harry BrighouseRuss Shafer-Landau

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026
PHILOS 599

Directed Study

1–3 credits

PHILOS 599 is a directed study course allowing students to pursue independent research or study topics arranged with a faculty member.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

James MessinaLarry Shapiro+16 more

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026 · limited sample
PHILOS 682

Senior Honors Thesis

3 credits

PHILOS 682 is a mentored study course for seniors completing honors theses in the Philosophy major.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

James MessinaLarry Shapiro+18 more

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sample
PHILOS 691

Senior Thesis

3 credits

PHILOS 691 is a mentored study course for seniors completing their theses, arranged individually with a faculty member.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

James MessinaLarry Shapiro+4 more

No recorded grade history

PHILOS 799

Directed Study

1–3 credits

PHILOS 799 is a directed study course allowing students to conduct independent research or study arranged with a faculty member.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

James MessinaSteven Nadler+11 more

No recorded grade history

PHILOS 904

Teaching Philosophy

1 credits

Explores the ethics and concepts of good teaching while practicing skills in a low-stakes environment.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Harry Brighouse

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sample
PHILOS 999

Independent Work

2–9 credits

PHILOS 999 is an individual mentored study course for graduate students arranged with a faculty member.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

James MessinaLarry Shapiro+22 more

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sample

Recorded teaching history

Explore courses taught by this instructor →
Browse recorded courses
TermCourseTitle
Fall 2026C&ESOC/HISTORY/POLISCI/SOC 259Forward? the Wisconsin Idea, Past and Present
Fall 2026PHILOS 304Topics in Philosophy: Humanities
Fall 2026PHILOS 541Modern Ethical Theories
Fall 2026PHILOS 599Directed Study
Fall 2026PHILOS 681Senior Honors Thesis
Fall 2026PHILOS 682Senior Honors Thesis
Fall 2026PHILOS 691Senior Thesis
Fall 2026PHILOS 699Directed Study
Fall 2026PHILOS 799Directed Study
Fall 2026PHILOS 904Teaching Philosophy
Fall 2026PHILOS 990Research and Thesis
Fall 2026PHILOS 999Independent Work

Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.

Instructor identity & provenance 
{
  "instructor_uid": "instructor_62a291c3789661c450c3cf50",
  "source": "enrollment",
  "source_instructor_id": "mhbrigho",
  "identity_basis": "netid",
  "identity_status": "source_identified",
  "name": "Harry Brighouse",
  "email": "MHBRIGHO@WISC.EDU",
  "first_observed_at": "2026-09-07 15:55:43.033547+00:00",
  "last_observed_at": "2026-09-07 15:55:43.033547+00:00",
  "ratings": {
    "review_count": 53,
    "quality": 4.57,
    "difficulty": 2.81,
    "quality_count": 53,
    "difficulty_count": 53,
    "profile_id": "rmp:592896",
    "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/592896",
    "match_basis": "exact_name",
    "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:36:09.149604+00:00",
    "courses": {
      "course_eea85533574086c8566255b9": {
        "review_count": 5,
        "quality": 4.6,
        "difficulty": 3,
        "quality_count": 5,
        "difficulty_count": 5
      },
      "course_eed936da13609fcb867416c7": {
        "review_count": 1,
        "quality": 5,
        "difficulty": 2,
        "quality_count": 1,
        "difficulty_count": 1
      }
    },
    "bayesian_quality": 4.320598844807286,
    "prior_mean": 3.6596857835465957,
    "prior_weight": 20
  },
  "current": true,
  "courses": [
    {
      "course_uid": "course_03d8e9d4d1a907568be73bcd",
      "course_id": "PHILOS 691",
      "title": "SENIOR THESIS",
      "credits_min": 3,
      "credits_max": 3,
      "gpa": null
    },
    {
      "course_uid": "course_2669442b26c0a7866da3daa3",
      "course_id": "PHILOS 990",
      "title": "RESEARCH AND THESIS",
      "credits_min": 2,
      "credits_max": 9,
      "gpa": null
    },
    {
      "course_uid": "course_26e8125a75c5989423cc9076",
      "course_id": "PHILOS 699",
      "title": "DIRECTED STUDY",
      "credits_min": 2,
      "credits_max": 3,
      "gpa": null
    },
    {
      "course_uid": "course_289e73f4cd1b9bba4f865556",
      "course_id": "PHILOS 999",
      "title": "INDEPENDENT WORK",
      "credits_min": 2,
      "credits_max": 9,
      "gpa": 4
    },
    {
      "course_uid": "course_2c81e4f4233fa57ad8c56280",
      "course_id": "PHILOS 682",
      "title": "SENIOR HONORS THESIS",
      "credits_min": 3,
      "credits_max": 3,
      "gpa": 4
    },
    {
      "course_uid": "course_528280bd9386b8fc33ee87e0",
      "course_id": "C&ESOC/HISTORY/POLISCI/SOC 259",
      "title": "FORWARD? THE WISCONSIN IDEA, PAST AND PRESENT",
      "credits_min": 1,
      "credits_max": 3,
      "gpa": 3.8
    },
    {
      "course_uid": "course_5e5a87f73ce273d67355c810",
      "course_id": "PHILOS 681",
      "title": "SENIOR HONORS THESIS",
      "credits_min": 1,
      "credits_max": 3,
      "gpa": null
    },
    {
      "course_uid": "course_790b1c44855d9869ebe1c6de",
      "course_id": "PHILOS 904",
      "title": "TEACHING PHILOSOPHY",
      "credits_min": 1,
      "credits_max": 1,
      "gpa": 4
    },
    {
      "course_uid": "course_97698a6ee4d9ce06a0f4a474",
      "course_id": "PHILOS 599",
      "title": "DIRECTED STUDY",
      "credits_min": 1,
      "credits_max": 3,
      "gpa": 4
    },
    {
      "course_uid": "course_e139c500f088e3cc2863568e",
      "course_id": "PHILOS 541",
      "title": "MODERN ETHICAL THEORIES",
      "credits_min": 3,
      "credits_max": 3,
      "gpa": 3.535
    },
    {
      "course_uid": "course_eed936da13609fcb867416c7",
      "course_id": "PHILOS 304",
      "title": "TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY: HUMANITIES",
      "credits_min": 3,
      "credits_max": 4,
      "gpa": 3.656
    },
    {
      "course_uid": "course_fc7f51f78b28005b0e94585b",
      "course_id": "PHILOS 799",
      "title": "DIRECTED STUDY",
      "credits_min": 1,
      "credits_max": 3,
      "gpa": null
    }
  ],
  "revision": "e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349",
  "instructor_url": "/instructors/HARRY_BRIGHOUSE"
}