Philosophy

Thomas F. Wall, Ph.D. Chair

Philosophy was originally defined by the Greeks as “love of wisdom.” Wisdom is knowledge that enables us to understand ourselves and our world and to live a good life. In this spirit, the department strives to help students explore the meaning of humanity, God, freedom, knowledge, society, history and good and evil, and to construct a personal world-view. The successful student of philosophy finds it to be intellectually exciting and rewarding, and is better able to interpret the meaning of his or her life.

While the study of philosophy is valuable for its own sake and as preparation for living a fuller, richer life, it also has considerable practical value. Philosophy students develop high levels of the type of skills required for success in many of today’s most interesting careers, such as teaching, law, medicine, business and a variety of leadership positions. Successful students can question assumptions, analyze ideas carefully, reason accurately, solve problems creatively, think in an interdisciplinary fashion and develop other critical-thinking skills that are in great demand in our rapidly changing world.

LEARNING GOALS AND OUTCOMES

In addition to acquiring knowledge of philosophical concepts, problems and systems, successful philosophy majors will learn to: • Solve problems, think critically and communicate their ideas effectively in written and oral form. • Analyze their own fundamental beliefs and world view, be comfortable with ambiguity and complexity, and gain intellectual independence.

THE CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE

The culminating experience for Philosophy majors is the Senior Seminar in Philosophy (PHIL4999) This course is typically completed in the student’s final year of study and is open only to senior philosophy majors. The course involves writing and presenting a major paper which is made available to all philosophy department faculty.

B.A. IN PHILOSOPHY

Requirements for Major:

1. Any 1000 level course 2. PHIL2108 Critical Thinking (M)

or

PHIL2119 Symbolic Logic (QA) (QR) 3. PHIL2106 Ethics (M) (ER) 4. PHIL2201 Existentialism and the Meaning of Life (M) 5. PHIL3109 Philosophy of Mind 6. PHIL3115 Ancient and Medieval Philosophy 7. PHIL3215 Modern Philosophy 8. PHIL4999 Senior Seminar in Philosophy 9-11.Three additional philosophy courses, to be selected from department electives. Students may also minor in philosophy to complement their studies in the liberal arts and sciences.

MINOR IN PHILOSOPHY

Requirements for Minor:

1. Any 1000 level course 2. PHIL2108 Critical Thinking (M)

or

PHIL2119 Symbolic Logic (QA) (QR) 3-5. Three additional philosophy courses, one of which must be a 3000-level course

MINOR IN PHILOSOPICAL PYSCHOLOGY

With this interdisciplinary minor in philosophical psychology, students will address those questions and others, focusing on the relationship between the mind and the body, as well as topics such as memory, perception, cognitive science, evolutionary psychology, the connection between thoughts and emotions and more. Requirements for Minor:

1. PSYCH1501 General Psychology (SA) (SS) 2. PHIL2104 Theories of Human Nature (M) (ER) 3. PHIL3109 Philosophy of Mind 4. PHIL3110 Philosophy of Psychiatry 5. Any PSYCH 3000 level course

DISTINCTION IN THE FIELD

Criteria for distinction include a minimum GPA of 3.5 in their major courses, successful completion of a research project in the capstone course (the Senior Seminar), and presentation of this project to the College community during Senior Distinction Day.