Philosophy

Philosophy Course Descriptions

The Department of Philosophy seeks to provide students with a broad orientation to the major branches of Philosophy (Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, and Logic) and to the various ways philosophy has progressed throughout human history (in Western and other global traditions).The primary goal of our program, however, is not merely to promote mastery of philosophical content, but to help cultivate the philosophical spirit by nourishing students' responsiveness to the wonder of being, their commitment to justice, and their overall capacity to explore philosophical issues with creativity and critical insight.

Philosophy explores the most basic yet wide-ranging issues of human life and experience. The study of Philosophy involves the rational examination of such fundamental notions as truth, beauty, goodness, justice, freedom, reality, knowledge, language, faith, love, death, and God. Its purpose is to broaden the reach of possibilities that all human beings share in their efforts to create intellectually and spiritually meaningful lives.

Philosophy also examines the foundations, processes, and aims of other disciplines--such as Science, Mathematics, Law, and Education, for example--and reflects on such subjects as Religion, Art, History, Literature, health care, and technology.