A Handbook for Students

Third Edition, 2007

edited by Robert Noggle

Contents:

I. What is Philosophy?

II. Benefits of Studying Philosophy

III. The Philosophy Program at CMU

IV. Requirements for Philosophy Majors and Minors

V. Personalizing Your Course of Study: Philosophy Tracks

VI. Course Offerings & Philosophy’s Course Cycling Plan

VII. Careers for Philosophy Majors

VIII. Graduate School in Philosophy

IX. Philosophy Faculty at CMU

X. Staying Connected

Third Edition, revised October 2007.

Edited by Dr. Robert Noggle.

Please send comments, corrections, suggestions to him

Epistemology (Theory of Knowledge): The task of epistemology is to address such questions as: What is knowledge? Is there a difference between knowledge and true opinion? What role, if any, do the senses play in the acquisition of knowledge? A central question in epistemology concerns the proper response to the kind of radical skepticism that results from doubting everything. Epistemology also deals with the question of how to develop sound methods for inquiry–methods that are the most likely to help us find the truth.

Moral Philosophy (Ethics): The task of moral philosophy is to address questions about the nature of morality. Such questions include: What kind of person should I be? How much does morality demand of me? Does the end always (or ever) justify the means, or are some actions so bad that we should never perform them no matter what? What makes an action or a person good or bad? A closely related area is called applied ethics. Its goal is to help us to decide what is moral in specific kinds of situations that arise in daily life or in the contexts of various professions like business, medicine, and government.

Logic: Logic is one of the most fundamental branches of philosophy. It deals with techniques for evaluating reasons and arguments. Many of the techniques that one learns in logic are "mathematical" in nature: Logic uses variables to represent the sentences in an argument in much the same way that algebra uses variables to represent numbers in equations. We can then manipulate those sentences in much the same way that one manipulates algebraic equations in mathematics. This allows us to see and investigate what sorts of logical patterns (or "arguments") represent sound methods of reasoning. Since logic is very similar to mathematics, some students find mathematics much less difficult after taking a class in logic.

Metaphysics: Metaphysics is concerned with the nature of "being" or "existence." It is one of the more abstract branches of philosophy. In metaphysics, one asks such question as, “What sorts of things ultimately exist?” “Are minds composed of a kind of substance different from the substance from which physical bodies are composed?” “Is there one substance from which everything else is made?” “What is the nature of causality?” “When are two things identical to one another?” “What is the nature of time?” One goal of metaphysics is to develop an "ontology" which is a list of things that exist and from which all of the rest of the world is composed.

History of Philosophy: The history of philosophy is the branch of philosophy that is devoted to studying the thoughts and writings of the philosophers of the past. Instead of focusing on a single topic such as metaphysics or epistemology, historians of philosophy typically study what a given philosopher thought about all areas of philosophy. In fact, historians of philosophy often investigate how past philosophers saw the connections between the various areas of philosophy.

"Philosophy of ___": Philosophy often has much to say about the methods and fundamental assumptions of other subjects and disciplines. Such topics would fall under the "philosophy of" that discipline. For example, the philosophy of science deals with questions like these: “In what sense does scientific inquiry really aim at finding the truth?“ ”What reasons do we have to believe that scientific knowledge is an accurate reflection of how the world is?” In addition to philosophy of science, there is philosophy of law, philosophy of art, philosophy of literature, philosophy of history, philosophy of psychology, and so on.

II. Benefits of Studying Philosophy [top]

Despite the stereotype of philosophy as an impractical discipline, the same methods that philosophers use to address abstract philosophical questions and problems can also be used to answer practical questions and solve real-world problems. At its most basic, philosophical training teaches a person how to think, and that is one of the most practical skills of all.

The study of philosophy improves the student’s ability to think clearly, carefully, and creatively about a wide variety of topics. It helps the student to develop the ability to assimilate and assess new and unfamiliar ideas and information, to cope with unfamiliar problems and situations, and to question conventional wisdom. Philosophy teaches sound reasoning methods and problem solving strategies that work in all sorts of contexts, including new and unfamiliar ones. A philosophy student learns to think critically and creatively for herself rather than putting blind faith in authority, tradition, or conventional wisdom. It is the ultimate training for "thinking outside the box."

In addition to developing reasoning and critical thinking skills, the study of philosophy also develops the student’s communication skills. It helps the student learn to formulate and express her ideas with clarity and precision. In fact, philosophy teaches a critical, careful approach to writing that rivals poetry and literature in its commitment to expressing subtle ideas carefully and precisely. In addition, philosophical writing helps the student master the techniques of argument and persuasion. Finally, the study of philosophy develops the student’s ability to understand complex texts.

So training in philosophy involves the acquisition of sophisticated critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that will be useful for whatever career one chooses. These skills are in high demand in today’s society, where success often depends on one’s ability to think carefully and effectively about new problems and new opportunities, to solve new problems, and to communicate effectively and persuasively. Contrary to popular opinion, a philosophy degree is good training for a wide variety of careers. In fact, many employers are less interested in one’s specific major than on the skills that one has acquired in college. And the skills developed by the study of philosophy are sought by a wide range of potential employers. (See Section VII below for more information on career options for philosophy students.)

III. The Philosophy Program at CMU [top]

CMU’s philosophy program is known for its commitment to excellent teaching, its research accomplishments, and its dedication to building and maintaining CMU’s status as an excellent institution of higher learning.

The first priority of CMU’s Philosophy Program is to provide high-quality undergraduate education in philosophy, both for philosophy majors and minors, and as a part of CMU’s general education program. All of the Philosophy Program’s faculty members are dedicated teachers who are committed to providing a challenging education and helping students meet the high academic standards that they set. Some of the faculty members have won teaching awards that indicate that they are among CMU’s best instructors.

Members of the philosophy faculty do not just teach philosophy, however; they also do philosophy. Their ongoing scholarship and research contributes to improving our understanding of philosophical issues, questions, and texts. CMU’s Philosophy Program has an impressive record of scholarship and research. Faculty members often present their work at philosophical conferences and publish it in scholarly journals. They have edited anthologies and written books setting out the results of their research. Several have achieved impressive individual records of scholarly achievement and are nationally (and even internationally) known among scholars working in their areas. Several have won CMU’s top research awards (the President’s Award for Outstanding Research & Creative Endeavors, and the Provost’s Award for Outstanding Research & Creative Endeavors). In fact, the Philosophy Program faculty has the highest concentration of winners of these awards of any program on campus.

The members of the philosophy faculty also play vital roles in the academic administration of the university. They are especially active in defending academic values such as raising academic standards, promoting free and open-minded inquiry and debate, and encouraging the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom as goods in themselves.

The major strengths of CMU’s philosophy program are in the history of philosophy (especially ancient Greek, early modern, and 20th century analytic philosophy),value theory (including ethical theory, applied ethics, and aesthetics), and the philosophy of mind. Like most philosophy departments in the English speaking world, CMU’s philosophy program is oriented mainly toward the Anglo American “analytic” philosophical tradition and the history upon which it draws. However, the philosophy faculty members are interested in broadening this outlook to include Asian and Continental philosophy and increasing the program’s course offerings in these areas.

In 1999, the philosophy faculty, with the support of the Dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, established a Center for Professional and Personal Ethics. The goals of the Center are to “support the study, teaching and practice of ethics and to promote moral excellence in both the personal and professional lives of those in our community.” The Center sponsors speakers, forums, public events and other programs and initiatives. For more information, visit the Center's website (<http://ethics.cmich.edu/>) or contact Dr. Hope May, Director of the Center.

The Philosophy Program constitutes one “Area” within the the Department of Philosophy and Religion. Despite sharing a common department, philosophy and religion are quite distinct fields of study. Consequently, the Philosophy Area and the Religion Area each maintain their status as independent academic programs within the department. Faculty with advanced degrees in philosophy teach all of the philosophy courses and oversee the philosophy curriculum. The position of Department Chair normally rotates back and forth between the two Areas. When the Chairperson is a member of the Philosophy Area, she or he is also the head of the Philosophy Program. When the Chairperson is from the Religion Area, then the Philosophy Program is headed by an Area Coordinator. (Dr. Guy Newland, from the Religion Area, will be Department Chair through Spring 2009. During the 2007-2008 academic year, Dr. Robert Stecker is Philosophy Area Coordinator.)

The main office of the Department of Philosophy and Religion is located in 101 Anspach Hall, and can be reached at (989) 774 3444. The philosophy program’s web site is www.chsbs.cmich.edu/phl/. Philosophy faculty offices are spread throughout Anspach Hall: several are at the south end of the office section of the first floor; several are on the third floor; and a couple of others are in the basement and the office section of the second floor. Faculty offices and email addresses are listed in Section IX.

IV. Requirements for Majors and Minors [top]

Students wishing to study philosophy at CMU may choose philosophy as a major, second major, or minor.

The philosophy major is designed to give students a grounding in the most important areas of philosophy, while allowing enough flexibility for the student to pursue her/his own particular philosophical interests.

The philosophy major is also designed to be attractive as a second major. Taking a second major in philosophy can be a very practical way for students with a non-philosophy major to incorporate a serious study of philosophy into their education. In fact, philosophy is one of the very best second majors. A serious study of philosophy builds skills which complement any major and which will enhance any career. These skills include clear and precise writing, critical and creative thinking, abstract reasoning, and logical problem-solving. All things being equal, the person who has these skills will always have an advantage over the person who does not. These skills make a powerful addition to training in other fields. The philosophy major has been designed to be flexible enough to serve as a second major for almost any student who wants to combine a thorough study of philosophy with training in another field.

Students who are interested in philosophy but who cannot or do not wish to complete an entire philosophy major may find that a minor in philosophy suits their needs. The philosophy minor is extremely flexible and can be incorporated into almost any student’s education.

Requirements for the Major in Philosophy

Total: 33 semester hours

NOTE: Philosophy courses taken on a Credit/No Credit basis may not be applied toward a philosophy major.

Required Courses (21 hours)

PHL 100   Introduction to Philosophy

PHL 140   Introduction to Logic

PHL 200   History of Philosophy: Classical Perio

PHL 218   Ethical Theory

PHL 302   History of Philosophy: Modern Period

PHL 320   Theory of Knowledge

PHL 490   Senior Seminar

Electives (12 hours)

At least six hours must be chosen from the following:

PHL 225/PSY 225  Foundations of Cognitive Science

PHL 325   Philosophy of Mind

PHL 340   Intermediate Logic

PHL 390   Philosophy of Science

PHL 405   Major Philosophers

PHL 410   Philosophy of Law

PHL 418   Advanced Moral Philosophy

PHL 422   Political and Social Philosophy

PHL 426/PSC 426/WST 426   Feminist Theory

PHL 480   Philosophy of the Arts

Electives should be chosen with the advice of a departmental adviser, and/or by consulting the philosophy “track” or concentration (see Section V below) that most closely matches your interests and career goals.

Important Information for Philosophy Majors:

1. Students who want to declare a philosophy major should meet with a faculty advisor to plan a course of study and complete the necessary paperwork. (Any full-time faculty member can serve as an advisor.)

2. Students are encouraged to take PHL 100 and 140 as early as possible in their studies of philosophy.

3. Philosophy majors who plan to go to graduate school in philosophy are encouraged to take PHL 340 (Intermediate Logic) and to follow the Graduate School Track in selecting your remaining courses (see below).

4. Remember that you will need to take the Senior Seminar (PHL 490) during your senior year. If you anticipate this being a problem, you should consider taking it during your junior year instead.

5. Traditionally, philosophy majors pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree. However, CMU allows philosophy majors to earn the less challenging B.S. degree. In most cases, philosophy majors should pursue the more substantial B.A. degree. This is especially important for students with a single major in philosophy, and for students who are considering graduate school in philosophy. The B.A. degree ensures that students have the kind of broad and challenging education that philosophy majors should be seeking. (Of course, some students–especially those who take philosophy as a second major and who do not plan to go to graduate school–may want to pursue the B.S. degree in order to graduate in a timely manner.)

Requirements for the Minor in Philosophy

A minor in philosophy consists of 20 credit hours in philosophy. Philosophy courses taken on a Credit/No Credit basis may be applied toward a philosophy minor.

The specific courses should be selected to fit the individual needs and interests of the student. Students interested in pursuing a minor in philosophy should consult a departmental advisor for advice about what courses to take. Students taking a minor in philosophy are also encouraged to consult the tracks discussed in the next section for advice about the kinds of courses that will best fit their needs and interests.

V. Personalizing Your Course of Study: Philosophy Tracks [top]

The requirements for the philosophy major and minor are meant to be flexible, since philosophy majors have a variety of needs, interests, and career plans. However, in order to give students more specific advice about how to tailor their study of philosophy to their particular situations, the philosophy curriculum committee has devised a series of philosophy concentrations or "tracks." These tracks are NOT requirements, but rather recommendations. They represent the faculty's best advice about the kinds of courses that are most likely to meet the student’s specific needs, interests, and career goals.

Students who are taking a minor in philosophy are also encouraged to consult the track that most closely matches their goals and to adjust the advice to the requirements of the minor. The track you should follow depends on what your interests and career goals are:

If you are considering graduate school in philosophy, you are strongly advised to take the Graduate School Track.

If you are considering law school, you are advised to take the Law School Track.

If you have a minor, second major, or strong interest in one or more of the other arts or humanities (e.g., History, English, the Fine or Performing Arts, etc.) , you are advised to take the Philosophy and the Humanities Track.

If you have a minor, second major, or strong interest in the natural or social sciences, you are advised to take the Philosophy and Science Track.

If you have a minor, second major, or strong interest in computer science, you are advised to take the Philosophy and Computer Science Track.

If you have a minor or second major in a "career oriented" discipline such as business or journalism, then you should simply fulfill the requirements of the major in a way that most closely matches your interests.

1. The Graduate School Track

The Graduate School Track is designed for students who are considering graduate level education in philosophy, as well as for students who desire an especially rigorous and thorough study of philosophy.

Students who think that they may wish to go to graduate school in philosophy are urged to follow this plan. Although these are not formal requirements, you should consider them to be extremely strong recommendations; following them will help you get into a good graduate program and to do well once you are there.

Recommendations:

1. Bachelor of Arts: You are very strongly advised to complete the B.A. degree rather than the weaker and less challenging B.S. degree. (At most schools, it is not even possible to earn a B.S. in philosophy.) The B.A. program at Central provides the kind of well-rounded and challenging education necessary for graduate school. In particular, it requires students to study a foreign language, and this is something that every well-educated person (and certainly every aspiring philosopher) should do. When you select a language to study, keep in mind that many graduate programs in philosophy require students to demonstrate reading knowledge of at least one of the languages most useful for philosophical scholarship (e.g., French, German, Latin, and Greek).

2. Total Number of Hours in the Major: If at all possible, take at least 36 hours in philosophy rather than the minimum of 33.

3. Introduction to Philosophy: Philosophy 100 is required for the major. You should take this course as early in your studies as possible.

4. Logic: You should take the required Introduction to Logic (PHL 140) as soon as possible after declaring your major. You should also take Intermediate Logic (PHL 340) if at all possible.

5. History of Philosophy: If possible, you should take a third course in the history of philosophy instead of the required two. Taking PHL 405 (Major Philosophers) would be especially useful in preparing you for sustained investigation of a single philosopher’s work.

6. Value theory: In addition to the required PHL 218 (Ethical Theories), you should try to take at least one (and preferably two) advanced courses in value theory. Such courses include PHL 422 (Political Philosophy), PHL 418 (Advanced Moral Philosophy), PHL 480 (Philosophy of Art), and PHL 410 (Philosophy of Law).

7. Metaphysics/epistemology: In addition to the required PHL 320 (Theory of Knowledge), you should take at least one (and preferably two) additional courses in metaphysics and epistemology. Such courses include PHL 325 (Philosophy of Mind), PHL 230 (Philosophy of Religion), PHL 225 (Foundations of Cognitive Science), PHL 421 (Philosophy of Language), and PHL 390 (Philosophy of Science).

8. Capstone: Plan to take the required senior in your senior. If it is unavailable, it may be possible to substitute an independent study (in which case you should choose a topic in the general area in which you think you may specialize in graduate school).

2. The Pre law Track

The Pre Law Track is designed for students who intend to go to law school. Pre-law students can benefit greatly by majoring in philosophy. As a group, philosophy majors do very well on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). In addition, training in philosophy provides students with skills that are necessary for the study and practice of law. These skills include critical thinking; analogical reasoning; careful reading and analysis of texts; and clear, precise communication. Students considering law school are advised to consider pursuing an additional major or minor in addition to philosophy. Other majors or minors that can help to prepare one for law school, especially when taken in conjunction with a philosophy major or minor, are political science, history, and communications.

Recommendations:

1. Bachelor of Arts: You are advised to earn the B.A. degree rather than the weaker and less challenging B.S. degree. (At most schools, it is not even possible to earn a B.S. in philosophy.) The B.A. program at Central provides the kind of well-rounded and challenging education necessary for law school.

2. Introduction to Philosophy: Philosophy 100 is required for the major. You should take this course as early in your studies as possible.

3. Logic: You should take Introduction to Logic (PHL 140) as soon as possible after declaring your major. You should also consider taking Intermediate Logic (PHL 340) if at all possible. Strong skills in logic are vital for doing well on the LSAT.

4. History of Philosophy: PHL 200, Ancient Greek Philosophy, is recommended. The writings of Plato and Aristotle are read in several law school classes (e.g. jurisprudence, constitutional law). The concept of "justice" is important to both writers, as is the role of reason in morality and moral decision-making.

5. Value Theory: In addition to the required PHL 218 (Ethical Theory), we strongly recommend taking PHL 410 (Philosophy of Law) if at all possible. The following additional value theory courses are also recommended: PHL 345 (Civil Rights Movement), PHL 422 (Political and Social Philosophy), and PHL 426 (Feminist Theory).

6. Metaphysics/Epistemology: In addition to the required PHL 320 (Theory of Knowledge), we recommend taking one or more of the following: PHL 325 (Philosophy of Mind), PHL 230 (Philosophy of Religion), and PHL 375 (Philosophy of the Social Sciences).

7. Capstone: Plan to take the required senior seminar in your senior year. If it is unavailable, it may be possible to substitute an independent study (in which case you should consider choosing a topic that interests you and that pertains to law, public policy, etc.)

3. The Philosophy And The Humanities Track

The Philosophy and the Humanities Track is for students with an interest (including a second major or minor) in English, History, the Fine or Performing Arts, or any of the other arts or humanities. Students who are majoring in one of the other arts or humanities, and who also have a strong interest in philosophy, are encouraged to follow this plan.

Recommendations:

1. Introduction to Philosophy: Philosophy 100 is required for the major. You should take this course as early in your studies as possible.

2. Logic: You should take the required Introduction to Logic (PHL 140) as soon as possible after declaring your major.

3. History of Philosophy: If available, consider taking one or more additional courses in the history of philosophy, including PHL 300 (Medieval Philosophy) and/or PHL 490 (19th Century Philosophy).

4. Value Theory: In addition to the required PHL 218 (Ethical Theory), we strongly recommend taking at least one of the following: PHL 480 (Philosophy of the Arts), PHL 286 (Philosophy and Literature). We also recommend PHL 422 (Political Philosophy), and PHL 410 (Philosophy of Law).

5. Metaphysics/Epistemology: In addition to the required PHL 320 (Theory of Knowledge), we recommend taking one or more of the following: PHL 325 (Philosophy of Mind), PHL 230 (Philosophy of Religion), and PHL 375 (Philosophy of the Social Sciences).

6. Other Recommendations: We also recommend taking PHL 426 (Feminist Theory).

7. Capstone: Plan to take the required senior seminar in your senior year. If it is unavailable, it may be possible to substitute an independent study (in which case you should consider choosing a topic that interests you and that pertains to the humanities.

4. The Philosophy And Science Track

The Philosophy and Science Track is for students with an interest (including a second major or minor) in either the natural sciences or the social and behavioral sciences. Philosophy is a natural major to combine with a major in the natural sciences such as physics, biology, mathematics, and chemistry. It is also an excellent major to combine with a major in the social and behavioral sciences, such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, and political science.

Many of the great philosophers were also scientists, including Aristotle (perhaps the greatest biologist before Darwin), Descartes (a mathematician and physicist), and William James (a key figure in psychology). Many philosophers have written about science and discussed scientific theories, and many great scientists including Newton and Einstein have discussed philosophical issues. Philosophy has also made vital contributions to the social and behavioral sciences. Marx, Hobbes, Hegel, Kant, Aristotle, Hume, and a great many other philosophers have played important roles in shaping the development of the sciences of psychology, sociology, and political science. Students who are taking a major in either the hard sciences or the social and behavioral sciences, and who have a strong interest in philosophy, are encouraged to follow this plan.

Recommendations:

1. Introduction to Philosophy: Philosophy 100 is required for the major. You should take this course as early in your studies as possible.

2. Logic: You should take the required Introduction to Logic (PHL 140) as soon as possible after declaring your major. You should also take Intermediate Logic (PHL 340) if at all possible.

3. Philosophy of Science: You should take PHL 390 (Philosophy of Science). If your interest is primarily in the social and behavioral sciences, you should take PHL 375 (Philosophy of the Social Sciences) if possible.

4. Additional courses:

a. Students who are interested in the natural sciences (physics, chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, geology, etc.) should consider taking PHL 404 (Contemporary Philosophy).

b. Students who are interested in the social and behavior sciences (psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, etc.) should consider taking one or more of the following courses: PHL 325 (Philosophy of Mind), PHL 255 (Cognitive Science), PHL 422 (Political Philosophy), PHL 421 (Philosophy of Language), and PHL 426 (Feminist Theory).

5. Capstone: Plan to take the required senior seminar in your senior year. If it is unavailable, it may be possible to substitute an independent study. (In that case, you should consider choosing a topic that integrates your scientific interests with your interest in philosophy. For example, there is much written on the philosophy of biology, particularly evolutionary theory. A project might focus on articles discussing evolution and creationism or on the development of evolutionary theory since Darwin. Another project might focus on the ethics of genetic manipulation of plants, etc. You might consider a project jointly supervised by a philosophy professor and a science professor.)

5. The Philosophy And Computer Science Track

The Philosophy and Computer Science Track is for students with an interest (including a minor or second major in) the computer sciences. Working with computers involves the same kind of disciplined, precise thinking that philosophy training develops. Both disciplines involve the careful formulation of problems, a meticulous attention to details of logical form, and a careful, systematic approach to problem solving. In addition, an important area of philosophy  the philosophy of mind and language  has very direct ties to computer science, especially the science of artificial intelligence. For these reasons, students who do well in philosophy often thrive in computer science as well. Students who have talent and interests in both computers and philosophy are encouraged to follow this track, and to take a minor or second major in computer science. Students interested in both philosophy and the computer sciences are also encouraged to consider CMU’s interdisciplinary major in Cognitive Science. (See Gary Fuller for more information on this program.)

Recommendations:

1. Introduction to Philosophy: Philosophy 100 is required for the major. You should take this course as early in your studies as possible.

2. Logic: You should take the required Introduction to Logic (PHL 140) as soon as possible after declaring your major. You should also take Intermediate Logic (PHL 340) if at all possible.

3. Additional Courses: We strongly recommend all of the following courses: PHL 325 (Philosophy of Mind), PHL 255 (Cognitive Science), and PHL 421 (Philosophy of Language).

4. Capstone: Plan to take the required senior seminar in your senior year. If it is unavailable, it may be possible to substitute an independent study (in which case you should consider choosing a topic that pertains to issues such as cognition, computation, the nature of thought, the computer as model for mind, etc.)

VI. Course Offerings & Philosophy’s Course Cycling Plan [top]

The Philosophy Program faculty members understand that students need to plan their schedules so as to complete their degrees on time. However, the faculty must balance this need with the need to maintain enough scheduling flexibility to maintain strong enrollment in general education philosophy courses, and to deal with faculty sabbaticals, special topics offerings, and changes in a staffing. In order to accommodate both needs, the philosophy faculty have made a commitment to offer courses on a regular and predictable basis to the extent that this is possible given other program needs and commitments. The faculty will make available to students information about likely future course offerings, with the understanding that the schedule for future semesters is not "written in stone" and is subject to change. Although the faculty will provide as much information about future course offerings as possible, students are still responsible for consulting the faculty for the most up-to-date information available on a semester-by-semester basis.

Courses And Projected Frequencies

The following is a list of the courses offered in the Philosophy Program, along with projections about how often they will be taught. Keep in mind that these are merely projections: due to changes in staffing, faculty sabbaticals, etc., a given course may not always be offered exactly when we predict. This is especially true for courses projected to be taught every other year. When an “every other year” course that you want or need to take is being offered, it is usually best to take it then instead of taking the risk of it not being offered again before you graduate. Your faculty advisor can help you make decisions like this. (Note: “each regular semester” means is each spring and fall semester, and does not include summer unless specifically noted.)

PHL 100–Introduction to Philosophy: Study of the basic issues and methods of philosophy. Depending on instructor, it may have either a problem (e.g., free will, the existence of God, etc.) or a historical orientation (i.e., the study of several major philosophers). Several sections of this course are taught each regular semester. It is often offered during the summer as well.

PHL 105–Critical Reasoning in Everyday Life: This course is designed to help the student think clearly, evaluate arguments, and develop a sensitivity to language. Emphasis is on the development of skills rather than theories. This course is usually taught once per year.

PHL 118–Moral Problems: Study of specific moral problems, issues, and questions associated with such things as life and death, violence, poverty, oppression, and sex. Several sections of this course are taught each regular semester. It is also commonly taught in the summer.

PHL 140–Introduction to Logic: A study of modern formal logic, with the emphasis of the development of general procedures for deciding whether any argument is correct. This course is taught each regular semester. It is sometimes offered in the summer as well.

PHL 200–History of Philosophy: Classical Period: Survey of ancient Greek philosophy, with emphasis on Plato and Aristotle. This course is usually taught every year, normally in the fall semester.

PHL 218–Ethical Theory: Study of such topics as the nature of the good life, the nature of right and wrong, and the possibility of justifying our moral beliefs. This course may take either a problems or historical orientation. This course is taught each regular semester.

PHL 225–Foundations of Cognitive Science: Introduction to cognitive science, the problems it addresses, its evolving models of the mind, its interdisciplinary nature, and its broader implications for our understanding of ourselves. Identical to PSY 225. This course is usually taught every year.

PHL 230–Philosophy of Religion: An examination of God, immortality, and human destiny from the philosophical point of view. This course is usually offered at least once per year.

PHL 286–Philosophy In Literature: Philosophical themes in selected literary works from ancient, medieval, modern, or contemporary sources. This course is usually offered every other year.

PHL 297–Special Topics In Philosophy: Study of areas in philosophy not included in courses currently listed in catalog. This course is taught infrequently and at the discretion of the faculty. PHL 397 is offered more frequently.

PHL 300–History of Philosophy: Medieval Period: A study of faith, reason and logic in the Moslem, Jewish, and Christian perspectives during the Middle Ages. This course is taught infrequently.

PHL 404–History of Philosophy: Contemporary Period: A study of some of the important philosophical trends since 1900. Prerequisite: at least three (3) credit hours in the history of philosophy, or consent of instructor. This course is usually offered every other year.

PHL 405–Major Philosophers. Advanced study of the work of a single major philosopher such as Aristotle, Locke, Hume, Kant, Hegel, etc. Prerequisites: PHL 200 or PHL 302 or permission of the instructor. The frequency and content of this course (i.e., the particular philosopher studied) varies, though we expect to offer at least one section every other year.

PHL 410–Philosophy of Law: Study of the nature, role, and purpose of law from a philosophical perspective. Includes consideration of such questions as: What is a legal system, a law, a legal right? What is the relation among law, morality, and custom? This course is usually offered every other year.

PHL 418–Advanced Moral Philosophy: Advanced study of topics such as the nature of moral theories, the justification of morality and particular moral theories, and the ontological status of moral values and rules. Prerequisites: EITHER (1) PHL 218 (Ethical Theories), OR (2) PHL 100 or PHL 118 and permission of the instructor). This course is usually offered every other year.

PHL 421–Philosophy of Language: Study of the structure of language, the relations between language and reality, and the interrelations among language, thought, and culture. Prerequisite: PHL 100, 140, or consent of instructor. This course is taught infrequently.

PHL 422–Political and Social Philosophy: Study of the normative and political issues surrounding the justification of the state, political legitimacy, the relation of the individual to society, and comparisons of the normative features and foundations of various political theories and systems. This course is usually offered every other year.

PHL 426–Feminist Theory: This course will examine what the "great" thinkers have said about women's nature and their role in society. It will also examine how women philosophers approach their discipline, focusing on issues in the philosophy of feminism, such as assumptions about human nature science, and justice. Prerequisites: one course in philosophy or consent of instructor. Identical to WST 426 and PSC 426. This course is usually offered every other year. (When it is not offered by PHL, it is sometimes offered instead by WST or PSC.)

PHL 450–Phenomenology: A Survey: Study of the phenomenological method, its origin in the works of Brentano and Husserl, and its application in the physical and social sciences. Prerequisite: PHL 100 or consent of instructor. This course is taught infrequently.

PHL 480–Philosophy of the Arts: Studies in the experience of arts and discussion of traditional and contemporary esthetics. This course is usually offered every other year.

PHL 490–Senior Seminar: A senior seminar for philosophy majors. Prerequisites: Senior status, or junior status with permission of instructor; and at least 21 hours in philosophy. This course is usually offered every year.

PHL 497–Special Topics in Philosophy: Study of areas or topics in philosophy not included in courses currently listed in catalog. Prerequisite: at least three credits in philosophy and consent of Instructor. This course is taught at the discretion of the faculty.

PHL 498–Independent Research: Research project arranged with and supervised by a faculty member. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. This course is taught at the discretion of the faculty.

PHL 518–Professional Ethics: Examination of the theories and methods used in ethical decision making, with application to common issues in law, journalism, technology, research, education, and the health professions. Prerequisites: Junior status or permission of the instructor. This course is taught infrequently on campus, but is often offered through CMU Off Campus Programs.

PHL 525–Philosophical Problems of the Self: Advanced study of central philosophical questions about persons, such as the mind body problem, the nature of personal identity, and the freedom of the will. Prerequisites: PHL 100 or permission of the instructor. This course is taught infrequently on campus, but it is sometimes available through CMU Off Campus Programs.

PHL 590–Ethics in Health Professions: Introduction to principles of biomedical ethics principles for students in health professional education programs. Students are instructed in ethical theories and decision making strategies. Identical to PTH 590. Prerequisites: Admission into physical therapy program or permission of instructor. This course is usually taught every year.

Philosophy Courses by Subject Area

Logic:

PHL 140–Introduction to Logic

PHL 340–Intermediate Logic

History of Philosophy:

PHL 200–History of Philosophy: Classical Period

PHL 300–History of Philosophy: Medieval Period

PHL 302–History of Philosophy: Modern Period

PHL 403–History of Philosophy: Nineteenth Century

PHL 404–History of Philosophy: Contemporary Period

PHL 405–Major Philosophers

Value Theory:

PHL 118–Moral Problems

PHL 286–Philosophy In Literature

PHL 318–Business Ethics

PHL 345–The Civil Rights Movement.

PHL 410–Philosophy of Law

PHL 418–Advanced Moral Philosophy

PHL 422–Political and Social Philosophy

PHL 426–Feminist Theory

PHL 480–Philosophy of the Arts

Metaphysics and Epistemology:

PHL 225–Foundations of Cognitive Science

PHL 230–Philosophy of Religion

PHL 320–Theory of Knowledge

PHL 325–Philosophy of Mind

PHL 375–Philosophy of Social Science

PHL 390–Philosophy of Science

PHL 421–Philosophy of Language

PHL 525–Philosophical Problems of the Self

Other Traditions in Philosophy:

PHL 305–Chinese Philosophy

PHL 307– Existentialism: From Kierkegaard to Sartre

PHL 450–Phenomenology: A Survey

Special Topics/Independent Study/Capstone:

PHL 297–Special Topics In Philosophy

PHL 397– Special Topics In Philosophy

PHL 490–Senior Seminar

PHL 497–Special Topics in Philosophy

PHL 498–Independent Research

A Note on Independent Study

Faculty members are sometimes willing and able to conduct independent studies with students. There are three main ways that an independent study might benefit a student. First, if a course that is normally offered is not offered, or if the student is unable to take it, it may be possible to take the course as an independent study. Second, if a faculty member has interest and expertise on a topic for which we are not offering a course, the faculty member may be willing to do an independent study on that topic. Finally, an independent study can be a format in which the student does research independently in order to write a significant paper or senior thesis. Independent studies of this sort may be especially valuable for students who are considering going to graduate school, especially if the student is unable to take the Senior Seminar. Whether an individual faculty member will agree to do an independent study usually depends on the faculty member’s current workload, philosophical interests and expertise, and other time commitments.

VII. Careers for Philosophy Majors [top]

"What can I do with a philosophy major?" is one of the first questions asked by students contemplating a philosophy major. The short answer is "almost anything." Like most liberal arts degrees, philosophy helps you develop the intellectual skills that are necessary for long term success in many different careers. However, certain career paths may required you to obtain some additional training and skills besides those developed in your study of philosophy.

It is important to make at least some preliminary decisions about what kinds of careers interest you sooner rather than later. This will allow you to take steps to supplement your philosophical training with whatever skills will help prepare you for that kind of career. Ideally, you should begin making some tentative career plans before your junior year. (Try not to be too intimidated by this: You do not have to decide exactly what you are going to do for the rest of your life. Although some of your choices now will affect your later options, many people successfully change careers long after they have graduated. So nothing is ever written in stone.)

When you are deliberating about what to do after graduation, it may help to narrow down the choices a bit. The things you can do with a philosophy degree fall into two main categories: Going to graduate/professional school or getting a job.

Graduate/professional/law School

Obviously, a degree in philosophy can enable you to go to graduate school in philosophy. More information about graduate school in philosophy appears in the next section.

Many philosophy majors think of philosophy as their second major and choose to go to graduate school in the discipline of their other major. Such students will find that the "second" major in philosophy has helped them develop critical thinking, analytic, and communication skills that are vital for graduate work in almost any discipline.

In addition, a degree in philosophy is one of the very best majors for preparing for law school. In fact, philosophy majors, as a group, do very well on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). (Studies that compare average LSAT scores by college major consistently place philosophy very near the top–generally higher than both political science and pre law majors.) In addition, studying philosophy will provide you with many of the skills necessary for success in getting into law school, getting through law school, and doing well afterwards.

When supplemented with other course-work, the study of philosophy can also enhance your ability to get into an MBA program or medical school, and to do well once you are there. Of course if you are considering medical or business school, you will also need to do significant course work in the life sciences or in business, respectively.

Other Career Options

Philosophy majors who do not wish to attend graduate, professional, or law school still have a variety of career options. In general, serious training in philosophy should improve your long term success at whatever career you choose. This is because the skills and habits of mind that your philosophy education develops are essential to long term success in almost any career.

In fact, a surprisingly large number of employers are less interested in a prospective employee’s college major than in the overall quality of his or her education. In short, many employers will train employees themselves; such employers are often looking less for “pre-trained” employees than for ones with the intellectual skills that will enable them to learn the job–and to do it well–after they are hired.

However, it is important to note that a philosophy graduate is likely to be more appealing to potential employers if she or he also has some specific, job related skills to offer. In general, our advice to philosophy majors who do not intend to go to graduate school is to give some thought to what kind of work they would like to do after graduation, and take some courses that will enhance their ability to do that kind of work. Just what those courses should be will depend in part on what sort of job you want. This is why some advanced planning is useful.

What follows is some information to help get you started thinking about what kinds of employment a philosophy major might find attractive, and a bit of advice about how to make yourself more attractive to various kinds of potential employers. Although we believe that this information and advice will improve your chances of getting the kind of job that suits your interests and abilities, it certainly does not guarantee that you will get the job you want. Students are urged to make frequent and effective use of CMU’s career counseling services. (CMU Career Services is located in the Bovee University Center. Their website is www.careers.cmich.edu.)

The Private Sector

The private sector offers the largest number of jobs. The kinds of analytical skills and creativity that philosophy develops can be extremely useful in a number of businesses and industries. However, if you want to work in the private sector, you should also consider taking some courses that will give you some very specific skills that you can offer an employer from day one. For example, you might want to take some business courses. You may even want to take a business minor (or maybe even a second major). CMU’s Business College offers minors in Accounting, Finance, Management, Business Law, Marketing, Advertising, Retail, and Management Information Systems. Having a minor in one of these areas may help to demonstrate to potential employers that you not only have a well developed mind capable of creative, abstract, analytical, and independent thought, but that you are also able to learn specific skills necessary in the business world. In addition, having such additional training is a way of showing potential employers that while the intellectual skills developed by your philosophy training can benefit their company in the long run, you also have specific job-related skills to offer right away.

One of the largest growth areas in the private sector is technology, especially information technology. Many of the analytical and problem solving skills that a philosopher learns are highly marketable in the world of information technology. If you have a talent for computers, you may consider taking some classes, and even a minor, in the computer science department. You might also consider CMU’s interdisciplinary program in cognitive science.

A final part of the private sector that is worth noting is the media industry. The kinds of communications and creative thinking skills that philosophy develops are often highly sought after by the media industry. If you have a flair for such things, you may consider supplementing your philosophy degree with courses in journalism, communications, commercial art, and so on. You might also want to consider working for CM Life or a local radio station (or MHTV) to gain some hands on media experience.

The Public and "Third" (Non-Profit) Sectors

Many students who go into philosophy want to help others and improve society; some dislike the capitalist profit-drive that operates in the private sector. Such students may find employment in the public or "third" sectors attractive.

Federal, state, and local governments employ people in such a wide array of positions that it is impossible to list them here. If you are interested in working in the public sector, probably the best thing to do is to peruse some of the many listings of government and public sector jobs available in book form or on the internet (see Career Services for more information). Once you have a sense of what area of the public sector you might be interested in, you should plan your courses so as to get some useful background and/or skills for that particular kind of job. For example, you might want to take some course work in public administration, social work, human environmental studies, management, and so on. It might also be helpful to develop skills in such areas as accounting, computers, graphic art, or communications.

Many people who like philosophy aspire to teach. The most obvious way to use philosophy as a stepping stone to a teaching career is to get a Ph.D. and teach in a college setting. However, there may be opportunities to teach at the high school level, if you are willing to teach primarily in areas other than philosophy. Unfortunately, CMU makes it rather difficult (but not impossible) to major in education and major or minor in philosophy. However, if you plan ahead and are willing to spend a little longer in college, this may be an attractive option, especially given the relatively favorable job prospects for teachers. Another option would be to complete a CMU bachelor’s degree, and then earn a teaching degree, either at CMU or another university, afterwards. In any case, you should be aware that very few high schools teach philosophy, so you’ll need to complete significant course work (normally at least a minor) in another field (this is where the advanced planning comes in). Good possibilities are areas that interest you, that have some relation to philosophy, and that are commonly taught in high schools. Some examples would be history, the sciences, government, the social sciences, literature, critical thinking, and composition. In order to be qualified to teach in the public high schools, you will need significant course work in one or more of these “teachable subjects.” Also, you should note that the structure of the teachers’ education program at Central (and elsewhere), and the state licensing requirements, make it very difficult to complete the requirements for a major in philosophy and for the teachers’ education program in four years. Nevertheless, if you have strong interests in another area in addition to philosophy, and if you want to teach at the high school level, this may be an option worth considering.

Finally, there is the so called "Third Sector": that part of the economy that is made up of independent, not for profit organizations. These range from local charity groups to organizations as large as the Sierra Club and the Red Cross. Working with such groups often suits the political views and lifestyle priorities of philosophy majors. The trade off, of course, is that the financial prospects are not great and employment opportunities may be limited. However, employers in this sector often appreciate the value of training in philosophy and the other liberal arts. Nevertheless, if you wish to improve your job prospects in this area, it is a good idea to supplement your philosophical training with skills in such areas as computers, graphic arts, media, communications, management, and accounting.

Students who are interested in working in the public and third sector should consider doing an internship. Interesting places that would be nice fits for philosophy students include the Ethics Resource Center, CSPAN, NOW, NARAL, Emily’s List, and the Michigan State Capitol. Students who are interested in pursuing such internships should consult with Dr. Hope May for suggestions and advice.

VIII. Graduate School in Philosophy [top]

Here is some general information that may be helpful for deciding whether philosophy graduate school is a good choice for you, and some information about how to get into graduate school if it is.

Some Good News And Some Bad News

First the good news: For those of us who cannot imagine living a life without philosophy, graduate school can be an intensely rewarding experience. The course work is focused exclusively on philosophy. There is time to do original research of your own, under the guidance of faculty whose job it is to give you the personalized attention needed to help you reach your full potential as a scholar. In most cases, you will get a chance to try your hand at teaching. Finally, you will be part of a community of scholars made up of faculty and other graduate students who are as passionate about philosophy as you are. At the end of all of this is the prospect of a career as a university professor. While professors do not earn a great deal of money, the intangible rewards are unbeatable: A career devoted to teaching, thinking, and writing about those things that interest you the most, and a great deal of freedom to determine how and when you will work. If this sounds like an appealing picture, then philosophy graduate school might be an option for you.

Now for the bad news. First, the competition to get into good graduate schools is extremely intense, and going to a bad graduate school will make it difficult if not impossible for you to get a decent job in academia when you finish.

Second, graduate school in philosophy is quite challenging. If you choose to go, plan to make it a top priority. (This is not to say that it has to be your only priority, but if you don’t make it a top priority, you will probably not do well.) Many people who begin a Ph.D. in philosophy drop out voluntarily before finishing: Some find that they are not as interested in philosophy as they thought they were; some find that they simply cannot stand teaching; and a few find that they lack sufficient passion or talent to do as well as they would like. In a typical philosophy Ph.D. program, fewer than half of those who begin the program finish.

Third, students who finish graduate school are likely to face rather limited job prospects. While some philosophers manage to put a philosophy M.A. or Ph.D. to good use outside of academia, this is certainly not the norm. For the most part, a Ph.D. in philosophy prepares you to teach philosophy, and teaching jobs in philosophy are not plentiful (and are not likely to become plentiful in the near future). While most good philosophers with Ph.D.s from good programs do find positions in academia, many of these positions are as underpaid and overworked temporary, part-time, or community college faculty. While some philosophers who enter these less desirable positions do later obtain full-time tenure-track university positions, many perfectly qualified philosophers do not. They must then face the choice between working as part-time, temporary, or community college faculty or leaving academia all together.

Finally, if you plan to pursue a career in academic philosophy, it is a cold hard fact that you may not have very much control over where you live. You are entering a national market, both in terms of getting into graduate school and in terms of getting a job afterwards. If you limit yourself to one geographical region, you will significantly limit your chances of success. Some academics do get lucky and land jobs in the region where they want to live. Others manage to exercise some degree of geographical self-determination by “publishing their way out” of an initial job in a place where they do not want to live. Still others choose less desirable academic jobs (for example as temporary or part time faculty, or as community college faculty) in order to live in a particular area of the country. However, the degree of control over where you live is likely to be quite limited if you pursue a career as a philosophy professor.

This information is not meant to discourage you, but rather to inform you. You have a right to know what you are getting yourself into. Prudence suggests having a backup plan–some kind of career option that you can fall back on if graduate school does not work out. (For possible backup plans, see the section of this guide on other career options.)

M.A. versus Ph.D.

In order to teach at a university, a Ph.D. is usually required. An M.A. can qualify you to teach in community colleges. In philosophy, it is not necessary to get an M.A. before getting into a Ph.D. program. Almost all Ph.D. programs will admit students without an M.A. Students who begin working on a Ph.D. with only a B.A. will normally be awarded an M.A. along the way to the Ph.D. (i.e., the master’s degree is usually a subset of the Ph.D. requirements).

However, obtaining an M.A. before applying to Ph.D. programs may help you get into a better Ph.D. program than you would without it. In fact, certain M.A. programs specialize in and are very successful at placing students in very good Ph.D. programs. So while an M.A. is not a absolute requirement for getting into a Ph.D. program, it may be a good idea to apply to one or more good M.A. programs as backups in case you do not get into a good Ph.D. program.

Choosing a School

If you are serious about a career in academia, it is important to get your Ph.D. from the best program you can get into (and out of). Indeed, where you get your Ph.D. has a large effect–probably a lot larger than it should–on where or even whether you get a job. Therefore, this is not a decision to make lightly. You should discuss it with at least one faculty member.

Here are some things to keep in mind: First, it is worth repeating that if you want to have a decent career in academia, it is important to go to the best graduate school you can get into (and out of). A school’s overall reputation is only an imperfect indicator of how good the philosophy program is. Some very prestigious universities have mediocre philosophy programs, and vice versa. There is a popular and influential--but also somewhat controversial– ranking of philosophy departments called the “Philosophical Gourmet Report,” or the “Leiter Report.” This is available on the Web at <www.philosophicalgourmet.com.>. Good critical discussion of the “Leiter Report” can be found at <http://web.archive.org/web/20041127092842/http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~heck/aboutpgr/> This latter site’s section on “How to Choose a Graduate Program” provides its own excellent advice on what to look for in a graduate program (<http://web.archive.org/web/20041011221134/www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~heck/aboutpgr/html/choosing.html>). Prospective graduate students should read it carefully.

Second, it is important to choose a graduate program that will offer you good training in the specific area (metaphysics, ethics, etc.) and in the specific type (analytic, continental) of philosophy that you wish to pursue. If you don’t know exactly what you want to study, this is fine, but being able to narrow it down to one or two general areas will help you select a program that is right for you. In addition, some graduate school applications will ask you to talk about what area you plan to specialize in, and it is important to be able to say at least something about the area or areas of philosophy that interest you the most.

Third, it is important to apply to quite a few programs of different strengths. Good Ph.D. programs in philosophy receive far more applications than they can accept. This means that they can be selective, and that competition for the limited number of places at good programs is intense. You will increase the chances of getting into the best program you can if you apply to a fairly wide range of programs. If you only apply to the very top programs, you may not get into any of them. If you apply only to programs that you are sure you can get into, then you may miss the chance to get into a program that is better than you think you can get into. Because there are application fees, it is tempting to cut corners here, but doing so limits your chances of getting into the best school you can. Avoid this temptation! Where you go to graduate school can have a big impact on the rest of your life, so this is not