Philosophy
Program

(Minor in Philosophy)

What is the value of studying philosophy today?

The nature and value of the study of philosophy is well expressed in each of the following quotations:

"Philosophy is the attempt to give an account of what is true and what is important, based on a rational assessment of evidence and arguments rather than on myth, tradition, bald assertion, oracular utterances, local custom, or mere prejudice." (Columbia History of Western Philosophy)

"In order to live, man must act; in order to act, he must make choices; in order to make choices, he must define a code of values; in order to define a code of values, he must know what he is and where he is -- i.e., he must know his own nature (including his means of knowledge) and the nature of the universe in which he acts--that is, he needs metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, which means philosophy. He cannot escape from this need; his only alternative is whether the philosophy guiding him is to be chosen by his mind or by chance." (Ayn Rand, The Romantic Manifesto)

The Philosophy faculty make every effort to educate and encourage their students to realize the importance, as well as accept the responsibility, of determining their own philosophy for life.

Ron Aichele, PhD
Professor Emeritus of Philosophy