Philosophy
At its core, philosophy promotes inquiry aimed at understanding and truth. It raises questions concerning topics such as the nature of morality and justice, persons, God and religious belief, beauty, knowledge, science, reason, and reality. It seeks to answer such questions by critically examining arguments from a range of diverse perspectives informed by both historical and contemporary ideas. Inquiry also promotes agency. People familiar with the philosophical practice of giving and asking for reasons are able to recognize and evaluate evidence, to identify assumptions, to appreciate both the scope and limits of their knowledge, and to make better decisions. They are thereby better able to engage in the complex task of becoming people for and with others. The philosophy department encourages inquiry and promotes agency in a deliberately diverse and inclusive, student-centered moral and intellectual community.
Members of the Philosophy Department are active researchers and committed teachers. Our areas of scholarly expertise inform our teaching, inviting students to participate in on-going inquiry into and critical reflection on important topics in the discipline. We specialize in a wide range of areas including but not limited to social and political philosophy, various periods in the history of philosophy, epistemology, metaphysics, feminist philosophy, the philosophy of religion. Our faculty have published in the most prestigious journals in their fields and some have monographs with Oxford University Press and other outstanding venues.