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Philosophy is the parent academic discipline that gave birth to today's variety of arts and sciences. It examines basic issues in all fields and explores connections among diverse areas of life. In philosophy the most fundamental and enduring of questions are addressed: How can humans gain knowledge about their world? What limits are there to that knowledge? What is the ultimate nature of the universe? In particular, what is the nature of the human person, and what role or purpose is ours? How should we live? Are there moral, aesthetic, and religious values that can be adopted rationally and used to guide our decisions? Study in philosophy acquaints students with major rival views of the world, encourages them to think precisely and systematically, and helps them to see life critically, appreciatively, and whole.
Faculty: McKenna, Chair; Cooper, G. Johnson, Kaurin, Menzel.
Uses of Philosophy: Courses in philosophy help students who (1) recognize philosophy as a central element in a quality liberal arts education; (2) wish to support their undergraduate work in other fields, such as literature, history, political science, religion, the sciences, education, or business; (3) plan to use their study of philosophy in preparation for graduate study in law, theology, or medicine; or (4) are considering graduate work in philosophy itself, usually with the intention of teaching in the field.
Undergraduate study in philosophy is not meant to train specifically for a first job. Instead, it serves to sharpen basic skills in critical thinking, problem solving, research, analysis, interpretation, and writing. It also provides critical perspective on and a deep appreciation of ideas and issues that have intrigued humanity throughout the ages, including those central to the Western intellectual heritage. This prepares students for a great variety of positions of responsibility, especially when coupled with specialized training in other disciplines. Those with the highest potential for advancement generally have more than just specialized training; rather, they bring to their work breadth of perspective, intellectual flexibility and depth, and well honed skills in critical thought and communication.
University Core Requirement: The Core I requirement of 4 hours in philosophy may be satisfied with any course offered except for 233 Formal Logic, 323 Health Care Ethics, and 328 Philosophical Issues in the Law. The initial course in philosophy is customarily 101, 125, or a 200-level course that provides a more focused topic but is still at the introductory level (220, 223, 228, 253). The 300-level courses are suited for students with particular interests who are capable of working at the upper-division level. Courses offered through correspondence, on-line, and independent studies are not accepted to meet core requirement in philosophy.
Minor: 16 semester hours of approved philosophy courses; for transfer students, at least 8 hours must be taken at PLU. Students considering a minor should discuss their personal goals with departmental faculty.
Bachelor of Arts Major: Minimum of 32 semester hours, including 233, 499, and two from among the following five courses: 331, 333 (must take at least one of those two), 335, 336, or 338. On approval of the department, one course (4 hours) in another field of study may be used for a double major in philosophy if it has a direct relationship to the student's philosophy program. Transfer students will normally take 16 or more of their 32 hours at PLU. Students intending to major in philosophy should formally declare this with the department chair and choose a departmental advisor.
Honors Major: In addition to the above requirements for the major:
101 Philosophical Issues - PH
Perennial philosophical issues, systems, and thinkers. Emphases vary
depending on instructor, but include the study of ethical values and
the nature of rationality, and development of skills in critical and
systematic thinking. (4)
125 Moral Philosophy - PH
Major moral theories of Western civilization, including contemporary
moral theories. Critical application to selected moral issues. (4)
220 Women and Philosophy - A, PH
An examination and critique of historically important theories from
Western philosophy concerning women's nature and place in society,
followed by an examination and critique of the writings of women
philosophers, historic and contemporary. (4)
223 Biomedical Ethics - PH
An examination of significant controversies in contemporary biomedical
ethics, of major moral philosophies, and of their interrelationships. J
(4)
228 Social and Political Philosophy - PH
An examination of major social and political theories of Western
philosophy (including Plato, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, Marx).
Includes feminist and non-Western contributions and critiques. (4)
230 Philosophy, Animals, and the Environment
Examines issues such as resource distribution and consumption,
obligations to future generations and the nonhuman life. Various moral
theories are examined and applied to ethical issues such as
preservation of endangered species, animal experimentation, factory
farming, resource consumption, pollution, population growth. Concepts
such as wilderness, nature/natural, and consciousness are also
addressed. (4)
233 Formal Logic
Principles of sound reasoning and argument. Development and practical
use of formal logical systems, with a focus on symbolic logic. Includes
an introduction to inductive and abductive reasoning. Not for
philosophy core requirement; counts toward Option III of the College of
Arts and Sciences requirement. (4)
253 Creation and Evolution - PH
Examination of the controversy surrounding the origin of life. Includes
a historical introduction to the controversy; investigation into the
nature of science, faith, evidence, and facts; and critical evaluation
of three major origin theories: creationism, theistic evolution, and
nontheistic evolution. (4)
291 Directed Studies (1-4)
323 Health Care Ethics and Policy
Detailed examination of selected topics in health care ethics and
ethics-related health policy, such as informed consent to therapy and
experimental treatment, end-of-life decisions, and allocation of scarce
resources. Not for philosophy core requirement. (1 or 2)
325 Business Ethics - PH
Application of moral theories and perspectives of relevance to business
practices. Examination of underlying values and assumptions in specific
business cases involving, e.g., employer-employee relations,
advertising, workplace conflict, and environmental and social
responsibilities. Pass/fail options does not apply to business majors
either declared or intending to declare. Prerequisite: junior standing
or permission of instructor.(4)
328 Philosophical Issues in the Law
An examination of philosophical issues in law using actual cases as
well as philosophical writings. Topics include the nature of law,
judicial reasoning, rights, liberty, responsibility, and punishment. (4)
331 Ancient Philosophy - PH
The development of philosophical thought and method from the
Presocratic period to the end of the fourth century CE Emphasis on
Plato and Aristotle. (4)
333 Early Modern Philosophy - PH
The development of European and British philosophy from the 17th
through the early 19th centuries. Figures may include Descartes,
Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant. (4)
335 The Analytic Tradition - PH
The development of Anglo-American philosophy from the late 19th century
to the mid-20th century. Figures include Moore, Russell, Ayer, and
Wittgenstein. Prerequisite: one philosophy course. (4)
336 Pragmatism and American Philosophy - PH
An examination of such figures as Peirce, James, and Dewey, as well as
extensions and critiques of pragmatism (such as Alain Locke, Jane
Addams, Josiah Royce, Alfred N. Whitehead). Links with current feminist
and continental thought will be explored. (4)
338 Existentialism and Continental Philosophy - PH
Focus on main themes of Existentialism (including the thought of
Kierkegaard) and contemporary Continental philosophy. Their
relationship to other philosophical traditions, as well as to theology,
literature, and psychology. (4)
340 Philosophy of Science - PH
The general character, fundamental concepts, methods, and significance
and limits of science, with a focus upon the natural sciences.
Implications of science and scientific methodology for value systems.
(4)
350 Philosophy of Religion - PH
Classical and contemporary views of traditional issues regarding the
nature and rationality of religious belief, with a focus on
monotheistic religions and a unit on religious pluralism. Prerequisite:
one course in philosophy or religion. (4)
353 Special Topics - PH
Focus on one particular area of philosophy such as value theory,
aesthetics, metaphysics, epistemology, or logic, or on important
philosophical issues, major thinkers, or developing trends. Topic to be
decided in consultation with students. (4)
491 Independent Reading and Research
Prerequisite: departmental consent. (1-4)
493 Honors Research Project
The writing of an honors thesis and final completion of the reading
program in primary sources required for the honors major. Presentation
of thesis to department majors and faculty. (4)
499 Capstone: Advanced Seminar in Philosophy - SR
Exploration in a seminar format of an important philosophical issue,
thinker, or movement. Topic to be announced at the time course is
offered. Prerequisite: three philosophy courses or consent of
instructor. May be repeated once for credit. (4)