Philosophy
Philosophy

If you're a thinker with a range of interests, and want to join a community of people who are not necessarily like-minded -- except that they value the tools of philosophical reasoning and are broad in their interests as well -- then you ought to consider philosophy! Take a few classes, come to the roundtable, stay for lunch and conversation afterwards -- and join a community of thinkers.
At its root, philosophy is a rational method, a way of thinking clearly, not a "subject" in the ordinary sense. That is, philosophy does not seek a particular way of understanding human behavior, as does, for example, history or sociology or psychology. Neither does philosophy teach a particular set of techniques meant to help solve empirical problems, as in a science classroom.
Rather, the philosopher is most concerned with conceptual questions, with tackling and (hopefully) "dissolving" conceptual problems. Which conceptual problems exactly? Well, it depends on the interests of the philosopher. Philosophical reasoning improves almost any inquiry, and, as a matter of fact, philosophers might inquire about law, science, art, religion, ethics, and the nature of existence and experience. (Just take a look at our courses offered.) With regard to the content of its inquiries, philosophy can be an exceedingly broad discipline.

Philosophy Upcoming Events
The 2012-2013 Philosophy Roundtable meetings are held on Thursdays, at 11:00 a.m., in Scovel 004. Learn More »
Phi Sigma Tau Lecture features Nathaniel Goldberg
Nathaniel Goldberg, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Washington and Lee University, will present "Out-Huming David Hume" at the Phi Sigma Tau Honor Society Lecture on Thursday, February 14. This public lecture will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Lean Lecture Room of Wishart Hall. Learn More »