Division of Humanities and Fine Arts

Philosophy—traditionally at the center of the liberal arts—asks some of the most difficult and searching questions about human existence, the nature of the universe, right and wrong in human conduct, and the basis of our social and political arrangements. In so doing, it gives the mind the greatest possible leeway to doubt, probe, and criticize.

The courses of the Department of Philosophy and Religion have four main purposes:

1. to acquaint the student with some of the great philosophical questions of the past and present and with leading attempts to answer them;
2. to exhibit the connections between philosophy and such related areas as art, business, law, literature, medicine, science, religion, and the environment;
3. to develop the students’ capacities for clear thinking and critical analysis; and
4. to provide the basis for reflecting on right versus wrong and good versus evil in the present-day world.

These aims are pursued in the atmosphere of diverse philosophical interests and approaches found among the staff of the department. Typically, students also bring varied concerns to their own explorations in philosophy and move on to careers in many diverse fields.

Distribution credit for the Humanities Requirement will be given for any two courses taken in the Department with the exception of PHL 108 Introduction to Logic. Distribution credit for the Quantitative Requirement will be given for PHL 108 Introduction to Logic to those students choosing only one course in the Quantitative area. An FYS course taught by a member of the philosophy department may, in some cases, be used instead of PHL 100 Introduction to Philosophy anywhere in the program, except in a departmental distribution sequence

Matthew McCabe, Chair
Peter Weigel
Jennifer Benson
Bin Song

Philosophy

Religion