Return to: Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs of HCLAS

Professor Wallace, Chairperson
Professors Baehr, Dardis, Godlove, McEvoy, Wallace
Associate Professors Acampora, Eliot, Karofsky, Singer

Philosophy is a disciplined form of reflection about ourselves and the world. Philosophy includes the study of reasoning itself, seeking to establish standards for good thinking in every field of human inquiry, as well as the critical examination of our most general beliefs about life, religion, ethics, politics, science and art. Its special concern is with problems for which there are no easy answers. The study of philosophy increases self-understanding, as well as fundamental analytical, critical and interpretive capacities applicable in any profession, and in any human situation. A major or minor in philosophy is valuable preparation for careers in law, medicine, education, business, government, the ministry, and computer and information sciences. The department offers a B.A. and a B.S. in Philosophy, a minor in Philosophy, Philosophy of Law or Scientific Reasoning and Data Analysis, and houses the minor in Cognitive Science.

Students may major or minor in philosophy or in one of several interdisciplinary areas, or simply take courses in areas of special interest. PHI 010  is a general introduction which provides the student with a broad picture of the subject, together with the tools and intellectual foundations required for further study in philosophy. PHI 010A , 014 , 010B , 020 ,  010C  and 010D  also serve as good general introductory courses. PHI 150  and 154  focus on the fundamentals of good reasoning; other basic courses provide general perspectives for studies in many other disciplines. Courses in the history of philosophy and in systematic areas of philosophy concentrate on aspects of the history of philosophy, on particular philosophical problems (e.g., the nature of God), and on special fields of philosophical inquiry (e.g., theory of knowledge, philosophy of feminism, philosophy of science, philosophy of literature). Some advanced courses have a prerequisite (typically PHI 10 or 14) but most are open to any interested student.

Cognitive Science
Professor Dardis, Adviser

Scientific Reasoning and Data Analysis
Associate Professor Eliot, Adviser

Philosophy of Law
Professor Baehr, Adviser

Return to: Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs of HCLAS