Department of Philosophy

Virginia Warren, Ph.D., Chair

Professors: M.W. Martin, Runzo, Warren;

Associate Professor: Hughes;

Assistant Professor: Pace.

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

Studying philosophy enables students to think for themselves while learning from the insights of great thinkers from the past. It helps students to reason logically, analyze and solve problems, state and defend views clearly, make moral decisions more effectively, and integrate the personal and professional aspects of life.

Philosophy seeks to unify our lives, and to clarify the values that give life meaning. It illuminates such perplexing issues as what makes a society just, how the mind and body are related, whether actions are free or determined and whether God exists.

Majoring in philosophy provides an excellent preparation for graduate study and careers in fields like law, journalism, teaching, and business. Since philosophy is inherently interdisciplinary, most philosophy majors find it natural to double major (that is, to major in two disciplines). Philosophical questions arise in all disciplines, including law, psychology, English, business, science, art, politics and religion.

A philosophy minor educates one in critical reasoning and the history of Western philosophy, and provides insights into a wide range of practical and theoretical topics within philosophy (usually including issues relating to one's major discipline).

The philosophy faculty are active scholars whose research focuses on issues in applied ethics, religion and politics.

Departmental Honors

The philosophy faculty awards departmental honors to graduating seniors who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.500 or higher in their junior and senior years, and who have completed an excellent and substantial independent research paper in philosophy as part of PHIL 398 Junior/Senior Seminar (or who have otherwise demonstrated to the philosophy faculty that they have written an excellent and substantial philosophical research paper.)

Departmental Awards

The philosophy department makes two awards. The William James Award is given to an exceptional philosophy student chosen by the philosophy faculty. The Philosophy Scholarship for Religious Studies is awarded in conjunction with the religious studies department to an outstanding student who is studying philosophy and is committed to pursuing graduate work in religious studies.

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

A total of 21 credits in the major must be upper-division.

core requirements (12 credits)

metaphysics and epistemology (6 credits)

two of the following

values (6 credits)

two of the following

electives (6 credits)

Two philosophy courses (listed above or others listed in the catalog; PHIL 398 may be repeated when topic changes) selected in consultation with philosophy advisor.

Emphasis in Philosophy and Religion

lower–division requirements (12 credits)

upper–division requirements (30 credits)

history of philosophy and religion (6 credits)

ethics (12 credits, 6 credits from philosophy and 6 credits from religion)

electives (12 credits — chosen in consultation with advisor)

Individualized Emphasis Requirements (30 credits)

If neither of the first two options is suited to students' intellectual or career interests, they may consult with members of the philosophy department in order to develop a coordinated proposal for a philosophy major, which must be approved by the department chair. PHIL 310 (same as REL 310) From Socrates to Aquinas, PHIL 311 (same as REL 311) Descartes to Kierkegaard, and PHIL 398 Junior/Senior Seminar are required. PHIL 203 Logic is strongly recommended. A total of 21 credits in the major must be upper-division.

Minor in Philosophy

A philosophy minor is designed for those who are majoring in departments with numerous requirements, making it difficult to double major in philosophy. Any member of the philosophy department may be consulted in choosing the courses most suited to the individual student's needs. A minimum of 9 credits in the minor must be upper–division.

requirements (18 credits)

Course Descriptions – Philosophy

PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophy

An introduction to approaches and issues in fundamental areas of philosophy such as ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of religion, and metaphysics. As part of the course, students explore how philosophy can help to shape and to justify personal values. Not a prerequisite for other philosophy courses. (Offered every year.) 3 credits.

PHIL 104 Introduction to Ethics

Students examine some of the most urgent contemporary moral problems, based on the insights of major thinkers in the history of philosophical thinking about morality. Practical topics may include abortion, the death penalty, world hunger, and the environment. (Offered every semester.) 3 credits.

PHIL 120 Global Ethics and Religion

(Same as REL 120.)

PHIL 125 Philosophy of Religion

(Same as REL 125.) An introduction to philosophical issues in the world religions. Comparisons and contrasts between Western and Asian philosophy of religion are emphasized: What is the meaning of life? How do resurrection and reincarnation differ? Does God exist? How could a good God allow evil? Could only one religion be right? (Offered every year.) 3 credits.

PHIL 199 Independent Study

(Offered as needed.) 1–3 credits.

PHIL 203 Logic

An introduction which teaches the skills necessary for distinguishing between correct and incorrect reasoning. Methods will be taught which can help one to reason more persuasively and to write more clearly. A focus on interpreting arguments in everyday English plus a study of conclusive methods for testing the correctness of reasoning. (Offered alternate years.) 3 credits.

PHIL 296 Seminar

In–depth study in a specific area. (Offered as needed.) 3 credits.

PHIL 299 Individual Study

(Offered as needed.) 1–6 credits.

PHIL 303 Environmental Ethics

How to understand and evaluate moral issues related to the environment. Topics include, environmental justice, property rights, individualism vs. "deep ecology," global warming, use of wilderness, non-human animals, sustainability, and Schweitzer's "reverence for life." (Offered alternate years.) 3 credits.

PHIL 304 Multicultural Ethics

An inquiry into the promises and perils of a multicultural society. Main topics include ethical theory from international perspectives, the nature of prejudice, and the culture wars. (Offered every year.) 3 credits.

PHIL 305 Metaphysics

Metaphysics deals with what exists and, ultimately, with what is real. Topics include: the relationship of God to time; whether or not our language refers to reality; and whether humans have free will or are determined to act as they do. (Offered alternate years.) 3 credits.

PHIL 306 Games and Decisions

Prerequisite, A philosophy course or an upper division course in economics or mathematics, or consent of instructor. Decision theory and game theory are formal apparatuses for analyzing preferences and choices. Students will learn the basics of the formal theories and then examine their foundations and philosophical implications. Some attention will be paid to psychological studies suggesting how people actually make decisions. (Offered every three years.) 3 credits.

PHIL 308 God, the Good Life, and Sex

(Same as REL 308.) An interdisciplinary course focusing on the relation between Ultimate Reality and the Good. Questions in cross–cultural metaphysics, æsthetics, and ethics (especially sexual ethics) are addressed. (Offered as needed.) 3 credits.

PHIL 309 Religion, Knowledge and Evil

(Same as REL 309.) In this course, students will examine important contemporary theories of knowledge that support the rationality, justification, and warrant of religious beliefs. Students will also assess the merits of those religious epistemologies in the face of arguments based on evil and suffering. (Offered alternate years.) 3 credits.

PHIL 310 From Socrates to Aquinas

(Same as REL 310.) An interdisciplinary study of philosophical and religious thinkers from the earliest Greek philosophers through the Middle Ages. We see how the ideas of the Pre–Socratics, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Anselm, Maimonides, and Aquinas change through time, and inform our contemporary search for moral and religious values. (Offered fall semester.) 3 credits.

PHIL 311 Descartes to Kierkegaard

(Same as REL 311.) An interdisciplinary study of the great philosophical and religious thinkers from the Reformation to the 20th century whose ideas form the basis for modern thought. Prominent works of Martin Luther, John Calvin, René Descartes, David Hume, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Schleiermacher, and Søren Kierkegaard are critically examined. (Offered spring semester.) 3 credits.

PHIL 314 Medical Ethics

A systematic examination of ethical principles applied to moral dilemmas in health care. Topics include: euthanasia, abortion, informed consent, the professional–patient relationship, human and animal experimentation, and allocating scarce medical resources. (Offered every year.) 3 credits.

PHIL 315 Voluntary Service

An exploration of volunteering and philanthropy (voluntary giving for public purposes). This interdisciplinary course serves as an introduction to ethics at the upper–division level. Topics include the moral aspects of caring and helping, and of responsibilities concerning world hunger, and case studies of people like Albert Schweitzer. (Offered alternate years.) 3 credits.

PHIL 316 Business and Professional Ethics

A study of pressing moral issues generated today in business and the professions. Topics include the special responsibilities of professionals, the obligations of corporations concerning the environment and product safety, the rights of employees, and honesty in advertising. Relevant to all students with career interests. (Offered every semester.) 3 credits.

PHIL 318 Political and Legal Philosophy

An examination of significant moral issues in politics, society and law, illuminated by contemporary and historical writers. Topics include punishment; defending a guilty client; moral rights, theories about the just society, liberty, war and terrorism. (Offered alternate years.) 3 credits.

PHIL 319 Philosophy of Women/Women of Color

A study of philosophical issues concerning sex roles and gender, focusing on women of color — especially African–American, Mexican–American, and Asian–American women. Topics include stereotypes; beauty; women as 'Other,' gender and the law, and such moral values as autonomy, empowerment, equality, and justice. (Offered alternate years.) 3 credits.

PHIL 320 Belief, Truth, and Knowledge

An examination of fundamental issues about the origin, nature, and validity of knowledge. Topics include the nature of truth, the problems which arise concerning the reliability and objects of perception, how our beliefs can be justified, whether skepticism can be avoided, and whether there can be certain knowledge. (Offered alternate years.) 3 credits.

PHIL 321 Philosophy of Science

An introduction to the classic issues in the philosophy of science: the nature of scientific explanation, the confirmation of scientific theories, the nature of scientific laws, the distinction between science and pseudoscience, and the "unity of science". (Offered fall semester.) 3 credits.

PHIL 322 Philosophical Theology

(Same as REL 322.)

PHIL 323 Philosophy in Literature

A study of intriguing philosophical ideas and themes as dealt with by novelists, poets, and dramatists. The unifying theme of the course varies. The most recent ones were love, self–deception and achieving an authentic self, individual freedom and the authority of the state, and the concept of the self. (Offered as needed.) 3 credits.

PHIL 325 Albert Schweitzer: His Life and Thought

(Same as REL 325/PCST 325.) This course explores Schweitzer's contributions to philosophy, theology, medicine, music, peace, philanthropy, and voluntary service. The primary focus will be on Schweitzer's central moral ideal of reverence for life and its contemporary relevance. (Offered every year.) 3 credits.

PHIL 329 Experimental Course

(Offered as needed.) 3 credits.

PHIL 340 Philosophy of Mind

A study of classical and contemporary philosophical issues concerning the mind and mental phenomena — e.g., the concept of a person, mental images, dreams, minds and machines, philosophical presuppositions in psychology. (Offered as needed.) 3 credits.

PHIL 396 Seminar

In–depth study in a specific area. (Offered as needed.) 3 credits.

PHIL 398 Junior/Senior Seminar

Prerequisites, junior standing and 6 credits in philosophy, or consent of instructor. In their junior or senior year, all philosophy majors must enroll at least once in this seminar on a significant topic in philosophy. Students will complete a substantial philosophical essay. May be repeated for credit when the topic changes. (Offered every year.) 3 credits.

PHIL 399 Individual Study and Research

(Offered as needed.) 1–6 credits.

PHIL 490 Independent Internship

Consent of philosophy department chair. P/NP. (Offered every semester.) 1–4 credits.

PHIL 499 Individual Study

Prerequisites, junior standing, must be arranged with the instructor and approved by department chair. Directed reading and independent research paper are designed to meet the needs of superior upper–division philosophy students. (Offered as needed.) 1-3 credits.