Philosophy

Philosophy struggles with the questions which thoughtful human beings have been asking for thousands of years: What does it mean to be human? How should we live? How can we justify our deepest beliefs and attitudes? Stated simply, philosophy aims at clear, consistent and comprehensive answers to these and other important questions. It suggests a way of thinking and acting based on a set of carefully worked out attitudes and convictions. In short, philosophy helps you develop a coherent world view consistent with your fundamental beliefs.

Studying philosophy will help you understand the world and our place in it. And because philosophy emphasizes careful reasoning about complex issues, it will help you develop skills which are important in all areas of life: problem-solving, communication, writing, persuasive powers and research skills.

In the context of the Christian liberal arts college, philosophy is the search for all truth in the light of God’s truth. It is dedicated to the aim of loving God with the mind as well as with the heart. It seeks to gain a clearer understanding of the implications of Christian faith for every aspect of thinking and living. The philosophy faculty believe that the working out of a Christian philosophy of life is the fundamental objective for a student at a Christian liberal arts college. Therefore, the philosophy faculty invite students to join them in the search for truth and in their efforts to provide mature leadership for the Christian community.

Philosophy department homepage

Minor requirements

Philosophy electives: 12 credits
PHI 204BR - Mind, Knowledge and Reality
(4 credits) (NWCore option under Belief and Reason) An introduction to the main metaphysical and epistemological questions of philosophy. Issues addressed include the existence of God, the problem of evil, the mind-body problem, knowledge and skepticism, and personal identity and resurrection.
PHI 214BR - Contemporary Moral Issues
(4 credits) (NWCore option under Belief and Reason) A philosophical exploration of contemporary moral issues. Possible topics include self-defense, war, terrorism, capital punishment, suicide, euthanasia, global poverty, factory farming and experimenting on animals, abortion, and others.

Total credits required: 20

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