Philosophy

What is philosophy?

Philosophers love to argue about this question. Philosophy has been defined as the love of wisdom, the critical examination of ideas about ourselves and the world, the search for truth through reasoning, the quest for the foundations for our basic beliefs, as well as a discipline that comprises metaphysics, logic, ethics, epistemology, and aesthetics. Such definitions have their uses, of course. But you'll only discover what philosophy really is by studying and doing it.

"Any philosophy that can be put in a nutshell belongs in one."
--Hilary Putnam

Here are some of the questions philosophers ask:

• What can I know?

• What should I do?

• What can I hope for?

• What does it mean to be human?

• Who am I?

• What can I become?

• Can I change?

Philosophers also ask such questions as:

• Does God exist?

• What is science?

• What is religion?

• What is art?

• What is the relationship between community and the individual?

• How can we be ethical in medicine, law, and business?

Should I study philosophy?

Definitely! In philosophy courses, you'll have the opportunity to respond to those questions and many others. You'll study the ideas of ancient philosophers (e.g., Plato, Aristotle), modern philosophers (e.g., Descartes, Kant), and contemporary philosophers (e.g., Wittgenstein, Foucault). You'll discover what has been written about what Socrates called "the most important things" -- issues of human character and the conduct of life.

"A very popular error: having the courage of one's convictions; rather it is a matter of having the courage for an attack on one's convictions!"
--Friedrich Nietzsche

In addition to engaging the great philosophers, you'll develop intellectual survival skills. You'll learn how to question what passes as common knowledge and accepted wisdom, to evaluate your own and others' positions, and to formulate new ideas. You'll be able to think, write, and speak intelligently about the texts and issues you study. Such skills will enable you to excel in all of the other courses you'll take, as well as to succeed in whatever you do after you graduate. These skills will contribute to your development as an educated citizen in a democratic society.

What courses are offered?

• 100 level: Logic, Problems in Philosophy, Ethics.
• 200 level: Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Science, Aesthetics, Philosophy of Law.
• 300 level: Ancient Philosophy, Early Modern Philosophy, 19th-Century Philosophy, 20th-Century Philosophy, Anglo-American Philosophy, Metaphysics, Epistemology.
• 400 level: Great Figures; Topics in Ethics, Society, and Politics; Topics in Epistemology, Metaphysics, and Science. (Specific figures and topics change each year.)

"A pupil from whom nothing is ever demanded which he cannot do, never does all he can."
--John Stuart Mill

Most philosophy classes have about 20 students. There's a Philosophy Club, too, where students and professors meet to discuss ideas over pizza.

What about a major or minor?

We've got both. For a major, you need only nine courses. So it's easy to do a double major. You'll have plenty of choices. You'll be able to pursue your own interests. Ask the philosophy majors and they'll tell you -- it's wonderful!

"What I understand by 'philosopher': A terrible explosive in the presence of which everything is in danger."
--Friedrich Nietzsche

For a minor, you'd need to take five courses. Again, lots of choices. Even if you're a double major in other subjects, you can pursue a philosophy minor too.

"Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all."
--Hypatia of Alexandria

What career opportunities are available?

Philosophy develops intellectual survival skills that are useful in science, the ministry, journalism, government, computer science, business, and other professions. Philosophy majors are one of the three highest scoring groups on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), second on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), and sixth out of fifty on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Together with relevant science courses, philosophy also provides a unique preparation for medical school. Wisdom and success. What more could you ask for?

“Working in philosophy—like work in architecture in many respects—is really more a working on oneself. On one’s interpretation. On one’s way of seeing things. (And what one expects of them)."
--Ludwig Wittgenstein

Sample Careers

• Attorney
• Bank vice president
• History professor
• Philosophy professor
• Psychology professor
• Psychotherapist
• Religion professor

Anything Else?

Each semester, the department invites six to eight philosophers to campus to talk about their work and ideas. In addition, students regularly design a “Philosophy Extravaganza,” where we discuss such topics as “What is truth?” or “Are we free?” Majors have the option of writing an honors thesis during their senior year.