General Statement: “Philosophy,” said Kant, “is primarily concerned with three questions: What can I know? What ought I to do? What may I hope?” These broad questions suggest many problems that have puzzled some of the greatest thinkers in human history. Is belief in God rationally defensible? What is a just society? Can we know the truth? Is a human being more than a body and brain? Are we free? These, and many more, are the traditional problems of philosophy. Contemporary life in a highly scientific, technological society raises important philosophical issues of its own which we all face on a daily basis.
The study of philosophy benefits students in many ways. It encourages them to reflect critically on their own most basic beliefs and values, and it helps develop the capacity to think critically and carefully, a particularly valuable ability in our increasingly complex world. Studying philosophy also provides a sense of the evolution of human thinking about ourselves and our world.
Students who wish to concentrate in Philosophy may do so by fulfilling the requirements for the Interdisciplinary Studies program in Liberal Arts and take at least 15 upper-level hours in Philosophy, including two of the courses in the History of Philosophy sequence (PHIL 3100 , PHIL 3110 , PHIL 3120 ) and Logic and Critical Thinking (PHIL 2500 ). Other courses should be selected in consultation with a Philosophy advisor.
Departmental Requirements 18 Semester Hours
Students wishing to minor in Philosophy must take 18 hours of course work, including at least 12 upper-level hours, of which at least one course must be in the History of Philosophy sequence. All students interested in concentrating or minoring in Philosophy should discuss their plans with a Philosophy advisor.
Students who complete the minor in Philosophy will be able to:
- Know and effectively utilize the basic vocabulary (concepts) of formal and informal fallacies.
- Explain and apply important arguments from such major figures in the history of philosophy as Plato and Descartes.
- Formulate a coherent, cogent argument concerning such specific moral issues as abortion or capital punishment.
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