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Smarter than you'll ever be. You learn the material through reading, not lecture

Brilliant, the only genius I have ever met, truly a divergent thinker

A bit scary but funny

This guy is great. He keeps your attention, knows what he's talking about and it extremely funny.

The lectures weren't always on topic, mainly because there's no way to fill three hours a week with symbolic logic. There's not that much information there. A fun class, light coursework. Just don't make the mistake of raising your hand in class. Ever.

I feel sorry for those that rate Devlin negatively because they think he's irrelevant. Everything he says is relevant to the topic, for instance, Marx. Everything. Maybe it's my background in political philosophy, but Devlin can only be one of the best.

Makes it very clear that logic isn't for everyone. But he's great at what he does. Seems intimidating and most don't take the chance to talk to him.

Granted his lecture are irrelavent... You still learn alot and its fun to listen to him... usually.. the material is so damn easy. Go to the ta's office hours once, and you'll be set for the exams

Great professor if you want to learn what he's teaching. He won't force you to, but he keeps the class interesting and doesn't stick obsessively to the assignment requirements as long as you obviously have the idea.

Professor Devlin is my daddy. He says it like it is!

Professor Devlin is misunderstood by the majority of the class. His seemingly off topic rants are actually entertaining and he uses them to make his points effectively. Rants concerning him being arrested by the FBI, and missing out on cashing in on $10m of Intel Stock are the real gems.

the class is hard- but it's my favorite this semester because of DEVLIN. his lectures are hillarious, and he is truly a kind-hearted guy who wants to see you succeed.

The course is easy once you get the material. Devlin is hilarious - the one lecture I actually stayed awake in almost 100% of the time. Entertaining lectures - just make sure you learn the material by yourself (you won't get it from class)

Pretty repetitive toward the end of the year (yeah, we know how Bill Clinton answered the Goddamn question) but otherwise he's a hell of a lot more entertaining than 80% of the teachers out there. You don't even really need the class provided you the book and attendance is a non-factor.

I have 2 words to say about Devlin: THE MAN. He is THE MAN - If I could I'd take all his classes. So you don't learn anything in lectures, but you stay awake and when it comes down to test time, he DOES get down to business.

Hysterical, wildly entertaining, insane, and delivers next to no information in class. His lectures are comedy shows, not lectures. TF's (especially John) are wondeful and extremely helpful at discussions & office hours. You learn everthing in discussions. Very fair grading. Take PH160 with Devlin.

Devlin is plain hilarious. Yeah, he doesn't teach much, but with a course like this you're better off doing the reading and asking questions in discussion. Having a strong math/logic background helps. Exams are a bit harder than one would expect, but cheat sheets are allowed.

I took Devlin's classes from 93-94 and found him to be one of the most interesting and true philosophy professors. I still have the papers he graded with personal and intelligent commentary. I chose to minor in philosophy based on his class. His style may not be for everyone, but this does not negate his excellence as a provoker of thought.

He intimidated and vexed me, but I'll never forget him. He met me for coffee to discuss my confusion with the material and he softened into a pretty cool guy. I'd take another of his classes if for nothing else than the laugh!

Great teacher

If you have the option to take a logic class with Professor Devlin, for the love of God, take it! This is the funniest professor I have met at BU. When I see him in the hall, I stop and talk to him regardless of whether or not I have a class at that moment. His logic class was very amusing. He explained the simple concepts over and over again while still keeping it interesting. Other Professors deal with the same subject in the worst ways imaginable. A God compared to other professors of basic logic.

Devlin's crazy. Crazy like a fox.

Its true, the man is insane. But he'll open your eyes to somethings that have always been there but were percieved from a different angle. Probably the most entertaining lecturer in 4 years of college.

I took his class at the Corp. Ed Center in VC++ programming. It's interesting to compare that experience with the experiences of those who took his philosophy classes. Almost everything said here about him applies to him as a programming teacher. Opinion in my class about him was just as divided about him as those who took his philosophy classes.

Somewhat of a firebrand, it's hard to see how kind he actually is. Most students will not get to see this side of him because he expects so much from them while in a way, expecting nothing. Understand this. Devlin does not like fatuous kids, and fatuous kids don't like Devlin. It's that simple. But he's a genius.

Excellent Professor

Devlin was a great professor... it is true that he has an awkward style of teaching.... but I learned an amazing amount... plus he is one of the fairest graders I have ever seen.... if you study and work hard expect an A or B, if you don't, expect worse... great great professor

VERY generous grader (he's sure to make that clear to the class). He is very thorough in explaining the material, as long as you're paying attention to what he is ranting about. Very entertaining (albeit bizzare), very enthusiastic. Take this course if you like puzzles. It's not difficult for the average student, easy for the diligent student.

Funny guy. Don't expect him to teach much. His handouts are useful, though. Assignments are pretty easy until the end. Exam is tough, but curved. Do the work, and you'll do fine.

His style of teaching is unique, and sometimes vagrant, but if you're interested in the subject and sit down before the exam just to study, it's pretty standard. He offers an optional paper at the end if you want an A in the class (otherwise you'll get an A-), he asked why I didn't do it, I explained, and I got an A. He's lenient and a fair grader.

I had this guy freshman year back in the 90s and after much grad school and life experience, he is still fresh in my mind. One of the greatest teachers I know who can open a mind if it is there to be open. From Gilgamesh to Blade Runner, it is all there waiting to be understood.

Some complain that he doesn't actually teach... It is logic after all. After the fundamentals, what is there to teach? He can't raise your IQ. He uses the most effective method I can imagine, laughter. He talks about examples in which people contradict themselves and then laughs at them. Class shouldn't be mandatory. You get it or you don't.

This is the weirdest class you will ever take. Don't expect anything to be the same as other classes. If you're ok with an out-of-the-box teaching method, and are already interested in math, CS, or logic, take this class. If you get it it's really easy, and he curves a ton. But don't go in expecting a normal professor: he believes in aliens.

I've taken several of Devlin's courses--both philosophy as well as the C++ courses he used to teach at BUCEC. I hated him at first, then slowly realized: this man is a GENIUS. Unusual, yes. Possibly crazy. But absolutely one of the strongest independent thinkers I've ever come across. This man will change the way you think about the world. TAKE HIM

I took a c/c++ course taught by him and at one point he told the class, "if you don't know this by now, go kill yourself..." Absolutely insane and I loved every minute that he taught.

This guy is spot on everything. He will open your mind with a battle axe. Those who can't handle it, back of the line, sonny. Also you're the next contestant on this status quo is your life so take it please while you fake with the rest. The Dennis Hopper of philosophy professors yet alive and bar none. Viva la Devlin, ****es

I was a C++ student of Dr. Devlin @ B.U. Corporate Ed. He was one of the most intelligent and interesting people I have ever known. He was a bit mad but if you could grok him he could change your world outlook. RIP Dr. Devlin.