Philosophy

Philosophy addresses some of the most important questions human beings ever face, questions central to a true liberal arts education. These include: What are the limits of human knowledge? Do human beings have free will? Do we have immortal souls? Does God exist? What is the right ethical code to live by? What are the right political principles for our society? Most importantly, the study of philosophy develops one’s analytical, critical, and interpretative skills. Because of this unique combination, philosophy is an excellent foundation for any career path, and philosophy has long been known to provide an especially good foundation for law, business, and public policy. Students who complete the philosophy major will gain both broad and in-depth knowledge of some of humanity’s most crucial questions.

The program also offers a major in Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPA) which allows students to design a specialized course plan integrating philosophy with government and/or economics. This interdisciplinary major offers students the chance to combine a philosophical knowledge of how society should work with practical information from government and economics about how society does work. PPA may be taken as a single major or as part of a double major. It may not be taken as a dual major, since it already involves interdisciplinary work in philosophy, government, and/or economics. Students who complete the full major in PPA may dual in other fields except government, philosophy and economics, since PPA already involves additional concentration in those areas. Professor Rajczi is the coordinator of and the advisor for the major in Philosophy and Public Affairs.

The Faculty

CMC Faculty: Davis, Hurley, Kind (chair), Kreines, Locke, Obdrzalek, and Rajczi (coordinator, Philosophy and Public Affairs), Schroeder.
Visiting Faculty: Gardner.