Philosophy

Philosophy: Major, Minor

Philosophy, a word that means "love of wisdom," is the most general form of inquiry, investigating all other fields and subject matters, as well as fundamental questions unasked by any other discipline.聽

Studying philosophy at 海角社区 offers exceptional preparation for citizens of a globally interconnected world. At its core, philosophy is the ability to think reflectively and critically about questions that are at the very foundation of human existence and human practices. In trying to find answers, students learn to approach problems imaginatively, to explore what might appear to be self-evident, to write clearly and precisely, and to appreciate the ethical implications of decisions and actions.

The nature of reality. The foundations of science, ethics and art. The scope of human knowledge. Philosophy students develop highly valued and transferable skills. It is an excellent stand-alone major, and an ideal second major or minor for students interested in examining the foundations of another discipline. 海角社区 philosophy students have done well in many fields; in academia, media, communications, business, teaching; and philosophy is also known to be rigorous preparation for law school.

Program Highlights

Known for one of the largest undergraduate philosophy departments among liberal arts colleges, philosophy at 海角社区 is also uniquely pluralistic. Instead of the sometimes typical but narrow undergraduate focus on one tradition, the 海角社区 department represents all major traditions within Western philosophy as well as some Eastern traditions. Faculty also have genuine interdisciplinary interests, including scholarship in the natural and social sciences, the humanities and the arts.

  • Courses span the entire tradition, from the pre-Socratics to the philosophers of our time.
  • The departmental honors program is designed to provide outstanding majors the opportunity to devote their senior year to independent research, culminating in a thesis and oral presentation.
  • Departmental colloquia series, with campus lectures by and conversations with renowned philosophers from around the country and around the world.
  • Opportunities for all students to participate in the Philosophy Club鈥檚 lively exchanges and informal activities, including book discussions and movies.
  • The department is a member of Phi Sigma Tau, the National Honor Society in Philosophy.
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Philosophy Colloquia

Prominent philosophers from around the world deliver about six lectures per academic year.

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Philosophy Club

Members discuss philosophical themes in literature, movies and their daily lives.

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Department Honors Program

The honors program is designed to provide exceptional majors the opportunity for independent research.

Philosophy News

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Three 海角社区 Alumni Help to Bring Murals to Downtown Worcester
This summer, POW!WOW! Worcester, a 10-day mural festival committed to making Worcester a more culturally dynamic place by activating spaces, engaging in the arts, and generating pride in the downtown area, heavily involved the work of three 海角社区 alumni: 鈥
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海角社区 Magazine Publishes Fall 2016 Food-Themed Issue
The Fall 2016 issue of 海角社区 Magazine聽鈥 dubbed 鈥淭he Food Issue鈥濃 delves in to what we eat, where it comes from, and who we eat with and why. 鈥淔ood is something each of us experiences every day, multiple times 鈥
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Students Study Around the World Through Maymester Programs This Summer
This summer, 59 students jet set to different locations around the world through the College鈥檚 ever-popular Maymester program to sites in England, Italy, Poland, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Germany, and Russia. Each year, the College offers a number of these summer 鈥