Lloyd Gerson - University of Toronto - St. George Campus, Toronto, ON

Professor: Lloyd Gerson

Department: Philosophy

College: University of Toronto - St. George Campus, Toronto, ON

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PHL200
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Best PHL prof at UofT? I think so.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PHL200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Gerson is so well known in his field that it's awesome to have him as a teacher. He is very matter of fact, which offends some, but he challenges you to push yourself and doesn't waste time doing it nicely. His lectures are tough, but if you put in the time, do the readings, his class can be super rewarding and you'll learn a LOT

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PHL200
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

One of the hardest courses I've taken - Gerson expects a lot from his students and he's fairly uncompromising in that respect (and most others). That being said, his lectures are great and I learned a lot about an area of philosophy I don't consider myself interested in... Enjoy the course for what it is and try to ignore his bursts of arrogance.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PHL200
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

One of the hardest classes I've ever taken. The passion he transmits to his students is mind-blowing. This course will change your mind.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PHL200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

As people said, he knows his stuff. A great philosopher, but not so much as a person. I know he was paid to teach, not to be kind, but being extremely rude and arrogant in class is simply destroying in-class experience. Would never take this class again. One of the worst classes I've attended, and definitely the grumpiest prof.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PHL200Y1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Lloyd Gerson is a professor who deserves all the respect he can get, he is so charismatic in the way he speaks, he is authoritative and knows exactly how to explain concepts clearly. He is tough but this is one of those classes that will end up enriching your knowledge.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PHL412
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Avoid like the plague! No problem with his forceful debate style or high expectations of students. But he is intimidating when u ask for help. He shames students in front of the class and uses crass language if u express confusion, even if u have clearly done the readings. I watched him make a student cry during class. Anxiety hindered my learning.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PHL303
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Socrates would have probably killed himself a second time, if he ever came to know that Lloyd Gerson was teaching unsuspecting students philosophy. Being a "brilliant philosopher" (as someone mentioned below) is irrelevant to students. What we need is a "brilliant" professor.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PHL303H1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Gerson is a brilliant PHILOSOPHER. He loves philosophizing and unfortunately the cause of his rudeness is that students will come to class late, don't do the readings and don't appreciate the classroom. If you decide to take his class because you are interested in learning important material, you will find yourself the best professor at UofT.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PHL200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The most awful professor I have ever had. An undeniably brilliant man, but his intelligence does not make up for his obvious dislike of students, constant insults, or extremely rude and mean manner.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PHL200Y
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I was taught by Dr. Gerson in the middle 90s. Although I didn't do well in his course, the lessons I learned carried on into my life and now form part of my own teaching. Thank you for the great foundation.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHL200Y
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Intimidating as hell! Comes with the sheer brilliance I suppose.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHL200Y1
• Grade Received: INC
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

A brilliant professor who challenges the minds of his students. He takes his course seriously and expects the students to do the same - don't be late to his lectures and do the reading.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PHL303
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Those who take so much offense with his teaching should just open up their minds and not take things so personally. He's not afraid to outright refute your arguments or ideas, but if you just listen to what he's saying, you'll learn a lot. Gerson is by far one of the best professors I've ever taken a course with.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHL400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

A knowledgeable prof, though also difficult in marking. Attend lectures, do whatever's assigned to you (or don't and hope you don't get caught), ask questions if you don't understand, and you should be fine. If you're lazy, expect to get chewed out while everyone else in the class stares at you with pity/shock in their eyes, even on the second day.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHL400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

by far the best professor I've ever had. a true philosopher, and not just a professor of philosophy.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHL205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I'm not surprised to read a lot of the negative comments about him - these are left mostly by wimps who got their feelings hurt, the same ones who speak out in class before thinking first and quickly get shot down. He is not a "nice guy", and that's refreshing- he is not fake, but rather he is disciplined and has an amazing mind. Highly recommended

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHL303
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

If you have him as a prof, drop the class now. Currently in the middle of appealing my mark based on the fact that he is an inconsiderate jerk who does not wish to help you at all. Definitely caused me to feel sick every time I had to face him. Inconsiderate, rude, and should not be a professor ANYWHERE

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHL302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Calling him "bad" or "good" is oversimplifying. If you are prepared for his classes, then his lectures can be phenomenal. But he's not friendly or approachable. The biggest disappointment in taking his course was the fact that he left me hanging at a 79. But if you're prepared for the greatest phil. challenge, he may be one of your best profs ever.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHL200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I am now a graduate student in philosophy at a top-30 university. Gerson is not a nice guy--but he doesn't get paid to be one! He gets paid to teach, and that he does really well. He was one of the best lecturers I had while I was at UofT, rivaled only by Dickie. His classes are tough, but you'll learn a lot. Strongly recommended.