printer-friendly

Philosophy

Philosophy “begins in wonder,” as Socrates said. “Philosophy” itself means “love of wisdom.” The philosopher asks, reflectively and systematically, such questions as: What can I know? What is most real? What values and what standards of conduct are most justifiable? What is the ultimate meaning of life? 

Because the concerns of philosophy cut across all other disciplines, its main value lies in its integrative contribution to liberal education. Courses in this minor will give you a broad perusal of philosophy and also a more focused approach related to mathematics, social sciences, natural sciences or the humanities.

Above all, the course offerings are especially designed to highlight the fascinating boundaries and borderlines that exist between philosophy and each of the liberal arts and sciences, as well as to focus a philosophical light on everyday issues and concerns in popular culture (e.g., abortion, physician-assisted suicide, gay marriage, evolution versus intelligent design, the rights and obligations of youth versus those of their parents, etc.). Courses in which everyday life, culturally-based issues are addressed will give you a much deeper and more sophisticated understanding than you had previously: that there are no simple solutions; that well-intentioned and good people can hold positions on either side of the dispute that have some rational and moral justification.

Reading real philosophy will put you in touch with the excitement and intrigue of the discipline that no – or at least the few and far between – secondary text can possibly do. You will find that you are capable of reading and understanding material that is difficult, complex and profound. But more than this, you will realize that the gains from the effort of reading such material make it all worthwhile.