Philosophy

View Programs and Courses

Faculty

Associate Professor: William D. Cornwell, Chairperson

Professor: Krishna Mallick

Assistant Professors: Kurt Armsden, Michael Deere, Severin Kitanov, Michael Mulnix

Faculty Emeriti

Professors: William J. Donlan, Kevin P. Funchion, Edward D. Meagher

Associate Professor: Gerard A. Bedard

Program Offered

Minor

Philosophy

Program In Philosophy

The Philosophy Department offers a minor in the discipline (see the description below), as well as both introductory and specialized courses as electives for liberal arts students and for students in career- oriented fields like law, nursing, medicine, computers and government, in which the training in philosophy has proved both useful and valued. Students are encouraged to be critical and reflective, to search for self-knowledge, and to question the meaning of life. Proceeding on Aristotle’s premises that “all men by nature desire to know,” and that “philosophy begins in wonder,” the department pursues its goal of stimulating students through both traditional and contemporary readings and through participation in classroom discussions. The study of philosophy helps students to understand the views of other individuals and other cultures.

It is hoped that students will continue their philosophical dialogue beyond the classroom, sharing it with their fellow-students, other teachers, parents and friends. Students are encouraged to act upon their individual philosophic convictions rather than accept any given set of philosophical ideas and values as a matter of convenience.