Head of Department: Professor Christine Sistare Professors: P. DiQuinzio, L. Hass, M. Hass (on leave), T. Schick, L. Schlecht Associate Professors: Assistant Professors: S.Coutinho, T. Gardner, M. Mackenzie Distinguished Visiting Scholar in Economics and Philosophy: V. Walsh
Mission Statement
Philosophy addresses the most fundamental and pressing concerns of human existence: its nature and that of the world around it, its meaning, and its possibilities. Central to the study of Philosophy are the development of careful reasoning, a commitment to meaningful living, and the capacity for creative thought. Further, the study of Philosophy is particularly effective for enhancing critical reading and writing skills. Training in sound reasoning, critical reading, and effective writing is central to every course offered by the Department.
The Muhlenberg College Department of Philosophy encourages a comprehensive exploration of the discipline of Philosophy. Mindful of its role in a liberal arts college, the Department is committed to presenting courses in all the major areas of the discipline, representing the variety of philosophical methodologies, schools, and perspectives. The Major and Minor programs are designed to provide students with sound background in the discipline - including study of both Asian and Western philosophical traditions, work in ethics and social philosophy, familiarity with the thought of influential philosophers, grounding in logic and critical thinking, and a sense of the scope of Philosophy as a discipline. Similarly, students who take only one, or several, courses in the Department will encounter diverse philosophical approaches and topics. Hence, exposure to primary philosophical works is a central feature of all departmental courses.
Honoring the place of Philosophy as the foundational discipline of all disciplines, the Muhlenberg College Department of Philosophy aims “to develop independent critical thinkers who are intellectually agile, characterized by a zest for reasoned and civil debate, knowledgeable about the achievements and traditions of diverse civilizations and cultures, able to express ideas with clarity and grace, committed to life-long learning, equipped with ethical and civic values, and prepared for lives of leadership and service.”
Plato
"Wonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder."
--Plato
“Without philosophy thoughts are, as it were, cloudy and indistinct: its task is to make them clear and to give them sharp boundaries."
--Ludwig Wittgenstein
“I would not think that philosophy and reason themselves will be man's guide in the foreseeable future; however, they will remain the most beautiful sanctuary they have always been for the select few”
--Albert Einstein
“Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.”
--Confucius
"The discovery of what is true, and the practice of that which is good, are the two most important objects of philosophy."
--Voltaire
"Philosophy, … sees the familiar as if it were strange, and the strange as if it were familiar. .. It rouses us from our native dogmatic slumber and breaks up our caked prejudices....A man with no philosophy in him is the most inauspicious and unprofitable of all possible social mates."
--William James
“On the one hand, philosophy is to keep us thinking about things that we may come to know, and, on the other hand, to keep us modestly aware of how much that seems like knowledge isn't knowledge.”
--Bertrand Russell
"Of all the gifts of God to the human race, philosophy is the richest, the most beautiful, the most exalted."
Philosophy was the name given to the pursuit of wisdom by the ancient Greeks: the word derives from philos [love] and sophia [wisdom]. A philosopher is a lover of wisdom. This sounds very grand, but it does capture the special character of Philosophy.
Philosophy is, broadly put, the endeavor to make sense of the world, of oneself, and of one's relations with others. More than a subject area, Philosophy is an activity - a way of life - that aims at sound thinking and good living as its goals. This is because philosophy is defined not by its content, but by its methods. In particular, Philosophy demands that we use good arguments and evidence for every claim we make and teaches us how to recognize inferior arguments, self-serving thinking, and mere ‘opinions.’
The field of Philosophy is unfamiliar to many undergraduate students, and, yet, the influence of philosophical thought is present throughout much of what we learn throughout our lives. The questions posed by philosophy are answered, in various ways, by the sciences and social sciences, as well as by other disciplines in the humanities. But, Philosophy, itself, takes a distinctively wide approach to those questions and attempts to delve further than other disciplines into the meanings of the questions, themselves.
What is it to be a human being? What is our human nature most basically? Is there such a thing as "human nature"? On what basis can we claim to know something? What is the difference between an opinion that something is true and knowledge that it is true? What is "good living"? Can judgments of value be rationally supported or are they relative to individual taste or social convention? These are some of the questions Philosophy directly addresses.
Long ago, Socrates argued that "the unexamined life is not worth living". Since then, philosophical inquiry has proceeded from the conviction that it is better to examine our beliefs, values, and behaviors than to live with uncritically accepted assumptions, prejudices, and habits. Philosophy inspires us to self-awareness and carefully considered action; its practice enriches our lives as well as our minds.
Philosophy requires scrutiny of the concepts that define who we are and that give direction to our lives, as well as exploration of the assumptions and methodologies fundamental to other disciplines. The student of philosophy develops skills in clarifying concepts, analyzing arguments, and assessing positions.
The understanding and skills gained through the study of philosophy are valuable to all individuals and are highly prized by every profession, including law, medicine, government, and business. National studies show that Philosophy students achieve higher scores on MCATs and LSATs than students who major in most other fields, and professional school admissions officers and associations stress their interest in philosophically trained applicants.
Further, in a rapidly shifting, global economy, the study of Philosophy is especially helpful for those of us who will change career paths several times – often in response to the development of entirely new careers. To be able to ‘think on one’s feet’ and solve novel problems is a particular gift of students of Philosophy.
Our program Full descriptions of courses and of the requirements for the Major and Minor in philosophy can be found in the College catalogue.
Philosophy course offerings are classified under several categories: Introductory, Logic, History of Philosophy, Asian Philosophies, Ethics and Social Theory, Contemporary Areas and Movements, Seminars, and Individualized Instruction. The Introductory courses provide a broad-based exposure to issues that have stimulated philosophical inquiry. Logic courses furnish the student with the reasoning skills necessary to critically analyze and logically formulate arguments. Courses in the History of Philosophy examine the ideas that have helped to shape the course of Western civilization. Asian Philosophies courses include both surveys and in-depth study of philosophical views originating in China, India, and Japan. Courses in Ethics and Social Theory include theoretical approaches and applied issues in moral, social, and political philosophy. Contemporary Areas and Movements courses include those covering major philosophical fields and post-19th century philosophy. Seminar courses are offered once or twice yearly; Individualized Instruction includes independent study and internship opportunities.
For those primarily interested in political philosophy, an interdisciplinary Philosophy/Political Thought major is available. This major focuses on primarily on American and Western European political philosophy, although some courses in Asian and other nonwestern approaches are available. The PPT major integrates appropriate political science and philosophy courses to permit a comprehensive examination of the state and its functions, justification, and ideological foundations. The major is recommended especially for pre-law students, students interested in graduate study in this area, and those who will pursue careers in political policy.
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