Mission Statement
Philosophy addresses the most fundamental and pressing concerns of human existence: its nature and that of the world around it, its meaning and its possibilities. Central to the study of Philosophy are the development of careful reasoning, a commitment to meaningful living and the capacity for creative thought. Further, the study of Philosophy is particularly effective for enhancing critical reading and writing skills. Training in sound reasoning, critical reading and effective writing is central to every course offered by the Department.
The Muhlenberg College Department of Philosophy encourages a comprehensive exploration of the discipline of Philosophy. Mindful of its role in a liberal arts college, the department is committed to presenting courses in all the major areas of the discipline, representing the variety of philosophical methodologies, schools and perspectives. The Major and Minor programs are designed to provide students with sound background in the discipline - including study of both Asian and Western philosophical traditions, work in ethics and social philosophy, familiarity with the thought of influential philosophers, grounding in logic and critical thinking and a sense of the scope of Philosophy as a discipline. Similarly, students who take only one, or several, courses in the Department will encounter diverse philosophical approaches and topics. Hence, exposure to primary philosophical works is a central feature of all departmental courses.
Honoring the place of Philosophy as the foundational discipline of all disciplines, the Muhlenberg College Department of Philosophy aims “to develop independent critical thinkers who are intellectually agile, characterized by a zest for reasoned and civil debate, knowledgeable about the achievements and traditions of diverse civilizations and cultures, able to express ideas with clarity and grace, committed to life-long learning, equipped with ethical and civic values and prepared for lives of leadership and service.”
Learning Goals
A course of study in philosophy at Muhlenberg College serves three main learning goals: development of skills in argument identification, analysis and evaluation; cultivation of intellectually sound habits of mind; and acquisition of foundational philosophical knowledge required for serious engagement in the discipline.
These three learning goals encompass the following:
Skills:
- the ability to read philosophical and non-philosophical texts with comprehension of complex and/or hidden argumentation
- the ability to identify an argument’s major, supporting and assumed premises
- the ability to analyze evidence and evaluate arguments for cogency
- the ability to construct rationally persuasive arguments for and against various philosophical positions and theoretical perspectives
- to compose and articulate philosophical questions raised by texts, arguments, and theories
- to imaginatively engage texts and to creatively construct interpretations
- to make connections among ideas, concepts, and problems across different fields of philosophy
- to write effective prose appropriate to the discipline
Habits Of Mind:
- to approach the study of philosophy with intellectual humility and patience and accept and engage complexity
- to be willing to examine one’s own views as well as competing views and to subject all beliefs or claims to honest and fair scrutiny
- to be willing to explore all views with care and patience so as to avoid oversimplification
- to recognize the significance of moral and ethical reasoning and bring informed moral reflection to bear on issues of both personal life and social/civic engagement
Knowledge:
- to identify and demonstrate familiarity with major Western philosophers and philosophical movements
- to comprehend the distinctive contribution of Asian philosophies and demonstrate understanding of one or more of those philosophies
- to discern, identify, and discuss central philosophical issues and problems, both those of enduring importance and those specific to a period or movement
- to understand how the philosophical underpinnings of other disciplines shape inquiry in those disciplines
- to demonstrate familiarity with major ethical perspectives and concerns and apply major perspectives to concrete problems of various kinds, and/or identify major socio-political perspectives and demonstrate comprehension of those perspectives in relation to concrete issues or problems
