Philosophy / 2006-07 PLU Catalog

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, Crom, Hogan, 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.

Why a Philosophy Requirement

Students who take philosophy engage in a systematic and sustained examination of the basic concepts of life, such as justice, knowledge, goodness, and the self. By scrutinizing methods, assumptions, and implications, they are able to explore lifelong questions of meaning, thought, and action. They acquire historical perspective on the diversity of human thought and tolerance for the considered opinions of others. Through the collective exploration of, and reasoned argument over, difficult ideas, students develop autonomy in their decision-making. Philosophy is vital to the formation of meaning and purpose in students' lives and provides an indispensable framework for developing a sense of vocation - Who am I? What values should we hold? What really is the common good to which I might contribute? What kind of life should I live? In short, the active study of philosophy is essential "to empower students for lives of thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership and care -- for other persons, for the community and for the earth."

University Core Requirement

The Core I requirement of four semester hours in philosophy may be satisfied with any course offered except for PHIL 233: Formal Logic.

The initial course in philosophy is customarily PHIL 121, PHIL 125, or a 200-level course that provides a more focused topic but is still at the introductory level (PHIL 220, 223, 228, 230, 238, 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 PHIL 233, 330, 332, and 499.
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.
Students must be a declared philosophy major in order to be eligible for departmental scholarships.

Honors Major

In addition to the above requirements for the major:

PHIL 493: Honors Research Project, including an honors thesis written under the supervision of one or more faculty members and presented to the department.
Completion of the departmental reading program of primary sources. Honors majors in philosophy are expected to complement their regular courses by reading and discussing three or four important works under the personal supervision of department faculty. The reading list should be obtained at an early date from the department chair. It is best that the reading program not be concentrated into a single semester, but pursued at a leisurely pace over an extended period.
At least a 3.3 grade point average in philosophy courses, including at least a B in PHIL 493.

Course Offerings - Philosophy (PHIL)

PHIL 121: The Examined Life – PH

Introduces philosophy by considering perennial topics and issues, such as what makes an action right or wrong and whether belief in God is reasonable. Includes a focus on developing skills in critical and systematic thinking. (4)

PHIL 125: Ethics and the Good Life – PH

Major moral theories of Western civilization, including contemporary moral theories. Critical application to selected moral issues. (4)

PHIL 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)

PHIL 223: Biomedical Ethics – PH

An examination of significant controversies in contemporary biomedical ethics, of major moral philosophies, and of their interrelationships. (4)

PHIL 225: 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 do not apply to business majors either declared or intending to declare. (4)

PHIL 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. Can count for a Political Science minor. (4)

PHIL 230: Philosophy, Animals, and the Environment – PH

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, and population growth. Concepts such as wilderness, nature/natural, and consciousness are also addressed. (4)

PHIL 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)

PHIL 238: Existentialism and the Meaning of Life - PH

An introduction to the philosophical movement known as Existentialism. The course will explore themes central to human experience (such as alienation, guilt, suffering, joy and boredom), with a goal of asking how existentialism engages these ideas relative to the question of human meaning. As an introductory course we will survey specifically the major thinkers of this tradition and illustrate how existentialism connects to other areas such as religion, psychology and literature. (4)

PHIL 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 non-theistic evolution. (4)

PHIL 291: Directed Studies (1–4)

PHIL 328: Philosophical Issues in the Law – PH

An examination of philosophical issues in law using actual cases as well as philosophical writings. Topics may include the nature of law, judicial reasoning, rights, liberty, responsibility, and punishment. Prerequisite: One previous philosophy course, or POLS 170, or permission of instructor. (4)

PHIL 330: Studies in the History of Philosophy – PH

In-depth study of major figures, texts, and topics in a selected historical period. These may include: ancient, sixteenth to eighteenth century, Kant and the nineteenth century. May be repeated for credit. (4)

PHIL 332: Themes in Contemporary Philosophy – PH

In-depth study of selected themes and issues in 20th- and 21st-century philosophy. These may includes: Analytic, Pragmatism, and Continental. May be repeated for credit. (4)

PHIL 350: God, Faith, and Reason – 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)

PHIL 353: Topics in Philosophy – PH

Study of selected topics in philosophy, such as value theory, science, metaphysics, epistemology, feminism, film or health care. May be repeated for credit. (2-4)

PHIL 491: Independent Reading and Research

Prerequisite: departmental consent. (1–4)

PHIL 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)

PHIL 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)

2006-07 PLU Catalog

Philosophy