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Developing Rational SkillsThe study of philosophy will help you to think critically, to understand and enjoy the literature of philosophy, and to make decisions relevant to the problems of contemporary life. All courses emphasize the precise, logical use of language and the exercise of careful judgment and judicious evaluation in thinking. You develop both intellectual and analytical skills. Philosophy is a search for a general understanding of values and reality through logical reasoning more than observation. The study of philosophy includes logic, aesthetics, ethics, metaphysics,
and epistemology. Students find its greatest benefit is the development
of rational skills and their application to life's most difficult
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Flexible Course of StudyAs a philosophy student you will learn to communicate your point-of-view, whatever the topic, with objectivity and accuracy. Discussions address such issues as the dilemma of freedom and determinism, personal identity, belief in God, the justification of reverse discrimination, corporate responsibility, liberty and the limits of the law, and pragmatism. Majors take Logic, Ethics, and Modern Philosophy, as well as more specialized courses such as Philosophical Analysis and Philosophy of Law. A number of courses explore areas relevant to the professions such as Philosophy of Science, Business Ethics, and Social Philosophy. A new course that has drawn a lot of interest is Feminist Philosophy. The department offers a major and a minor. The major is sufficiently flexible to give you the opportunity to tailor your undergraduate curriculum to a particular career objective and/or graduate school. Some students combine the philosophy major with a major in another discipline. Each student is advised by a faculty member in the department regarding educational and vocational objectives. All students are strongly encouraged to take courses in several related departments to obtain a broad background in the humanities, the social sciences, or both. Going DeeperSpecial topics courses give you the chance to examine specific areas more intensely. Recent ones have included Artificial Minds, The Thought of Karl Marx, Philosophy and Feminism, Is Morality Too Demanding?, and Are There Human Rights? The intimate nature of the classes promotes engaging discussions and scholarly debates over issues. You may study a specific philosophical problem or a particular philosopher through individualized tutorials directed by a professor in the department. In addition, qualified seniors may pursue an honors thesis for which they articulate and defend a position on a particular issue. Recent topics have included "Theory and Emotion: A Consideration of the Implications for the Mind-Body Problem," "The Moral Status of Animals," "Objectivity in Ethics," and "The Justification of Capital Punishment." Special FeaturesThe Ethics Project, directed by George Panichas, professor and head of the philosophy department, regularly sponsors colloquia on ethics. The most recent one brought four leading scholars to campus to discuss ethical issues in biotechnology, genetic engineering, environmental policy, and business. The colloquium is just one way the College addresses ethical issues across the curriculum, in and out of the classroom. When you study logic you will use computer technology to test the validity of your arguments and to test your own work in evaluating arguments. Ralph Slaght, James Renwick Hogg Professor of Philosophy and a pioneer in the use of computers in teaching logic, introduced it at Lafayette long before other institutions. He is also using computer technology in the classroom to further augment this important relationship. Postgraduate OpportunitiesOne-third of philosophy graduates in the Classes of 2000 and 2001 went directly to graduate school and two-thirds accepted employment. A large number pursue careers in law. They also find employment in a wide range of areas including business, education, and government. Recent majors have accepted positions in publishing with Simon and Schuster; insurance with Meridian Mutual Company and Prudential Insurance Company; business administration with Proctor and Gamble; and administration with Boston University. Graduates have also pursued graduate study in PHILOSOPHY at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, University of Arizona, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and University of Pittsburgh; LAW at Cornell University, Georgetown University, University of Pennsylvania, University of California-Berkeley, New York University, and Duke University; MEDICINE at Georgetown University, University of Pennsylvania; EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION at University of Wisconsin; SOCIOLOGY at University of Pennsylvania; and BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION at University of Virginia. FacultyAlessandro Giovannelli, (Home Page), Assistant Professor. Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park. Teaching areas: philosophy of art, philosophy of literature, philosophy of film. Research interests: aesthetics and moral psychology. Owen McLeod, Associate Professor. Ph.D., University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Teaching areas: ethical theory, history of ancient philosophy, history of modern philosophy, the place of science in ethics, and philosophy of religion. Research interests: metaethics, and history of ethics. George E. Panichas, James Renwick Hogg Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy and Department Head, Director of the Ethics Project. Ph.D., University of Arizona. Teaching areas: ethics, applied ethics, aesthetics, social and political philosophy, philosophy of law. Research interests: rights, social philosophy, philosophy of law. Recipient of Student Government Superior Teaching Award, Jones Lecture Award for excellence in teaching and scholarship, and Crawford Award for a high standard of classroom instruction. Joseph H. Shieber, (Home Page), Assistant Professor. Ph.D., Brown University. Teaching areas: logic and decision theory, and history of analytic philosophy. Research interests: epistemology and metaphysics. George E. Panichas
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