About the DepartmentDepartment of Philosophy

The Department of Philosophy offers the serious student an opportunity to come to an understanding of the historical traditions that shape fundamental issues in ethics, metaphysics, epistemology and aesthetics. Courses in philosophy foster in students an increased measure of conceptual clarity about these fundamental issues, and an invitation to come to their own positions about them. The department is committed to assisting students to reflect on living responsibly in the contemporary world.

A major or a minor in philosophy is recommended to all students who desire to pursue graduate study in any of the disciplines in the humanities or social sciences, and also to those who expect to enter one of the professions—including, especially, law, the ministry, or teaching. It is also an excellent major for students intending to enter the nonprofit sector, or the world of business. In short, it is a highly flexible major that develops in students the intellectual capacities considered desirable in a wide array of professions.

The philosophy department strongly encourages its majors and minors to take advantage of the College's international study programs. Students considering study abroad should consult with department faculty in advance of their study, to be sure that philosophy courses taken abroad will count toward the major or minor.

Mission

The Department of Philosophy at Gustavus Adolphus College views its mission as fourfold:

A Quality Major

To offer a quality major that will ideally offer the student who elects it a relatively comprehensive understanding of the major philosophical traditions, ideas and arguments that have influenced the development of Western society along with the skills for critically analyzing them.

Interdisciplinary Programs

To participate in the various interdisciplinary programs on campus such as Environmental Studies, Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies, and Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies. The department believes that because philosophy has had such a long and rich history of confronting the fundamental issues central to human existence and experience, it could very well be in a position to contribute significantly to much of the contemporary debate that crosses disciplinary lines.

Great Philosophers and Their Ideas

To offer courses for the purpose of general education requirements that will introduce students to some of the great philosophers and their ideas, the philosophical problems that philosophers have found interesting, and the skills necessary for conceptual analysis.

Socratic Humility

To instill an attitude of Socratic humility—an attitude that the one thing they know is that they do not know, and in their pursuit of knowledge and truth, they ought to develop a critical attitude and a sensitivity to the views of others.