Current instructor

Harry Brighouse

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

Classes with Harry Brighouse

PHILOS 341

Contemporary Moral Issues

3–4 credits

A philosophical study of major moral issues in contemporary society, including abortion, euthanasia, punishment, property, politics, sex, nuclear disarmament, and world hunger.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Harry Brighouse

Harry Brighouse led engaging, discussion-style lectures where students did most of the talking, though he often went off-topic. The course required two exams, two essays, and weekly discussion posts.

Harry BrighouseAlexander Meehan

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026
PHILOS 599

Directed Study

1–3 credits

Directed Study (PHILOS 599) is an independent study arranged with a faculty member.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

James MessinaSteven Nadler+18 more

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2026–Spring 2026 · limited sample

Recorded teaching history

Distinct courses recorded per term

Explore courses taught by this instructor →
Browse recorded courses
TermCourseTitle
Spring 2027PHILOS 341Contemporary Moral Issues
Spring 2027PHILOS 599Directed Study
Spring 2027PHILOS 681Senior Honors Thesis
Spring 2027PHILOS 682Senior Honors Thesis
Spring 2027PHILOS 691Senior Thesis
Spring 2027PHILOS 699Directed Study
Spring 2027PHILOS 799Directed Study
Spring 2027PHILOS 990Research and Thesis
Spring 2027PHILOS 999Independent Work
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 
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