Philosophy

Philosophy is devoted to providing a learning environment in which students broaden their perspectives, stretch their thinking, and learn to reason and communicate in a critical, clear, and consistent manner. Major areas of philosophical inquiry are explored with reference to both historical and contemporary thought. Together, students and faculty pursue answers to the perennial questions involved in the common search for meaning, truth, and values. Through dialogue, disciplined thinking and writing, and mutual concern and respect, an attempt is made to articulate God’s truth as it relates to these basic questions. Emphasis is placed on the integration of philosophy with other disciplines and the development of Christian perspectives.

A minor in philosophy is of special value for most disciplines in that it provides a framework for the integration of study and learning, as well as an emphasis on the basic tools of language and reasoning. Students with a major in philosophy often seek further study in theology, law, biblical studies, and history, in addition to graduate work in philosophy. Philosophy provides an excellent background for careers in the business world, government service, the legal profession, medicine and related health fields, as well as in teaching or ministry. Not only does philosophy enhance professional credentials, it also aids students in becoming liberally educated people with a variety of interests to pursue throughout the rest of their lives.

Courses

PHI105N • The Philosophic Quest (fall, interim, spring) 3 credits

Who am I? What can I know? What should I do? What is a just society? These and other questions are the focus of reflective consideration on writings in the philosophical traditions, including thinkers such as Socrates, Plato, Descartes, Kant, and Kierkegaard.

PHI110N • Contemporary Moral Issues (fall, interim, spring) 3 credits

A moral analysis of abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, sexual morality, and self-interest. Ethical approaches of Plato, Hobbes, Butler, Bentham, Mill, Ross, Rawls, and Kant. Development of principles of love and justice, and the role of a Christian in society. Emphasis on moral decision making.

PHI120N • Philosophy through Film (spring, even # years) 3 credits

Viewing and discussion of films that raise intriguing philosophical issues combined with reading classical texts in philosophy, in order to develop reflective, reasoned responses to some of life’s basic questions.

PHI210L • The Modern Mind (fall, spring) 3 credits

Themes and movements that have shaped European and American culture in the last 200 years, drawing on significant works in philosophy, literature, and art. Reflection on the personal and cultural meanings of living in the modern age. Prerequisite: GES130 or GES145, 146.

PHI215L • Film and the Modern Sensibility (occasionally spring) 3 credits

An exploration of film as an art form and as an expression of the meanings of “modernism.” Why film is a uniquely modern art form is addressed, as well as those themes that identify the “modern sensibility.” Films such as Citizen Kane, Rashomon, Do the Right Thing, Beloved, Tender Mercies, Apocalypse Now, and others are viewed and analyzed. Prerequisite: GES130 or GES145, 146.

PHI220L • Philosophies of Race and Gender in America (interim, spring) 3 credits

Investigates the impact of theories of race and gender on life and thought in contemporary America. Analyzes the philosophical concepts and arguments underlying the historical development of these theories. Critically evaluates the philosophical commitments inherent in the moral and religious language used in discussions of race and gender in America. Prerequisite: GES130 or GES145, 146.

PHI225M • Introduction to Logic (spring) 4 credits

A study of standard forms of deductive and inductive logical reasoning, critical thinking, and informal fallacies. Covers rules for evaluating arguments and acquaints students with ways to distinguish good arguments from bad ones, with the goal of problem solving and making reasonable decisions about beliefs and actions.

PHI230U • Medieval Islamic Philosophy (spring) 3 credits

Most Westerners would be surprised to learn that from 800-1200 Arabic civilization was the world's center of intellectual, cultural, and economic developments. A study of the philosophical and theological thought developed in the Arabic world during the medieval period, and its influence on later intellectual traditions, including the Western Christian tradition. Prerequisites: GES130 or GES145, 146.

PHI251 • History of Philosophy I (fall, spring) 4 credits

Development of Western philosophy from its origin with the ancient Greeks to the time of the Renaissance, emphasizing the works of Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and Thomas Aquinas. Prerequisite: One philosophy course.

PHI252 • History of Philosophy II (spring) 4 credits

Philosophical traditions beginning with the rise of modern science including the Continental rationalists, British empiricists, Kant, and Hegel, and tracing 19th century reactions to idealism and subsequent developments in Continental and Anglo-American philosophy in the 20th century. Prerequisite: One philosophy course.

PHI301 • Symbolic Logic (fall, even # yrs) 4 credits

A study of symbolic logic including standard translations from arguments in natural language, methods of quantification and formal proofs of validity, and an introduction to modal logic. Focus on the application of symbolic logic to philosophical arguments. Prerequisite: PHI225M or MAT241.

PHI302 • Philosophy and Film (occasionally spring) 4 credits

What can philosophy contribute to the critical discussion of film? How does film present philosophical arguments? Why is film a unique art form? Are the worlds of film real? In what ways do films have meaning? Questions such as these are considered in the context of classic and contemporary films, as well as recent philosophical discussions of film. Prerequisites: FLM200 and one philosophy course, or consent of the instructor.

PHI305G • Philosophy of Religion (fall, spring) 3 credits

Systems such as fideism, rationalism, analytic philosophy, and existentialism as they relate to philosophy of religion, as well as issues such as religious belief, religious language, arguments for God’s existence, and immortality. Judeo-Christian concept of God, and Buddhist and Christian understandings of evil. Prerequisites: GES130 or GES145, 146; Contemporary Western Life and Thought (L) course or GES245; World Cultures (U) course.

PHI310 • Aesthetics (fall) 3 credits

Problems and perspectives concerning the nature of art and aesthetic experience. Questions such as What is art?, What is good art?, and What good is art? in the context of the visual arts, music, literature, and film. The relationships between aesthetic, moral, and religious values are explored. Prerequisite: GES125.

PHI315 • Kierkegaard and Existentialism (spring, odd # yrs) 4 credits

The meanings and influence of the works of Sören Kierkegaard, 19th century Danish philosopher. Topics may include Kierkegaard’s philosophical style, his views on the nature of the self and authentic existence, freedom and despair, religious faith, Kierkegaard as social critic, and the elaboration of these themes by other existentialists. Readings from Kierkegaard’s works and those of later existentialists. Prerequisite: One philosophy course.

PHI320 • Ethics: Theory and Practice (spring) 4 credits

Principal ethical theories and their application to problems concerning the individual and society. Readings in classical and contemporary sources focus on questions such as the meaning and justification of moral judgments, ethical relativism, and the nature of moral reasoning. Prerequisite: One philosophy course.

PHI323 • Social and Political Philosophy (fall, even # years) 4 credits

A study and analysis of various theories of human interaction and association. Questions such as: What are the differences among a community, a society, and a state? What is the role of the individual in each of these associations? What makes a social organization just? Prerequisite: One philosophy course.

PHI330 • Great Philosophers (fall or spring) 4 credits

An in-depth study of the life and thought of one or more significant philosophers. Prerequisite: One philosophy course.

PHI335K • Environmental Ethics (interim) 3 credits

An examination of the intersection of science, society, and technology as they pertain to issues in environmental ethics. The course moves from theory by considering science, society, and technology philosophically to application by concluding with a major research project on an applied issue in environmental ethics involving scientific data and technological choice. Prerequisites: Laboratory Science (D) Course; Mathematics (M) course. (Carries cross-credit in environmental studies.)

PHI340K • Philosophy of Science (spring) 3 credits

Nature of scientific method and knowledge, with special attention given to current issues in the philosophy of science. Ways in which scientific explanations relate to religious and philosophical explanations. Both natural science and social science applications. Prerequisites: Laboratory Science (D) course; Mathematics (M) course. One philosophy course recommended.

PHI360 • Classics in Western Political Philosophy (spring, even # yrs) 4 credits

Selected political theorists. Such writers as Plato, Aristotle, early Christian writers, Machiavelli, Luther, Calvin, Locke, Marx, and Niebuhr. Concentrates on primary sources. Prerequisites: One course in political science, philosophy, or European history; junior standing. (Carries cross-credit in political science and history.)

PHI375G • Asian Thought (occasionally) 3 credits

Selected Asian philosophical streams drawn from Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Shintoism, and the contemporary Kyoto school. Readings from religious treatises, philosophical works, and literature, with examples from the arts to encourage an understanding of Eastern worldviews, especially Japan. Persons, ethics, and aesthetics. Prerequisites: GES130 or GES145, 146; Contemporary Western Life and Thought (L) course or GES245; World Cultures (U) course.

PHI401 • Epistemology and Metaphysics (spring) 4 credits

Topics such as the nature and meaning of knowledge, the foundations and limits of knowledge and belief, the problem of universals, the mind-body relation, and the freedom-determinism debate. Traditional and contemporary perspectives. Prerequisite: Two courses in philosophy.

PHI490 • Topics in Philosophy (fall or spring) 4 credits

Intensive analysis of a philosophical issue or a major philosophical figure to be announced prior to registration. Students may repeat the course for credit provided a different topic or philosopher is studied. Prerequisite: Two courses in philosophy.

PHI499 • Senior Seminar (fall) 4 credits

A capstone course in which students and faculty consider contemporary issues in philosophy as well as the relationship between philosophy and Christian faith. Prerequisite: Philosophy major or minor with senior standing, or consent of the instructor.

Programs

In this section, semester credit hours will be shown after the course number and description.

Major in Philosophy (B.A.)

PHI251	History of Philosophy I	4
PHI252	History of Philosophy II	4
PHI320	Ethics: Theory and Practice	4
PHI401	Epistemology and Metaphysics	4
PHI499	Senior Seminar	4
Electives from	philosophy courses, of which at least six credits must be from 300 level or above	10
	Total	30
General Education		51-52
Electives		40-41
	TOTAL	122

Minor in Philosophy

Choose from:		3-4
PHI105N*	The Philosophic Quest
PHI110N*	Society and Morality
PHI210L*	The Modern Mind
PHI220L*	Philosophies of Race and Gender in America
PHI225M*	Introduction to Logic
PHI251	History of Philosophy I	4
PHI252	History of Philosophy II	4
Electives from	200-level or above philosophy courses, of which three credits must be 300 level or above	7
	TOTAL	18-19

* A student may also choose to use this course to meet a General Education requirement.