The study of philosophy examines certain unavoidable questions for human existence: "What does it mean to be a human being?" "What is the best kind of life to live?" "What is the difference between right and wrong?" "Is life meaningful or meaningless?" "What is truth?" Being a good philosopher does not mean having ready-made answers to these questions but having the ability to ask and answer them self-consciously, self-critically, and with clarity and consistency. The skills essential for being a good philosopher are not unique to philosophy, and so are useful in every aspect of life. In particular, the philosophy program at Roanoke College teaches the core skills of analytic reading, thinking, and writing, which involve breaking down ideas, discovering their interrelation, and evaluating their worth in such a way that they may be clearly communicated to others.
| Core Requirements (9 units): | ||
| Survey (none required): | ||
| PHIL 105 SOCRATES, JESUS, AND THE BUDDHA | done | need |
| Logic (at least one): | ||
| PHIL 122 LOGIC | done | need |
| PHIL 215 SYMBOLIC LOGIC | done | need |
| History of Philosophy (at least two): | ||
| PHIL 213 PHILOSOPHIES OF INDIA, OR | done | need |
| PHIL 218 RELIGIONS AND PHILOSOPHIES OF CHINA, OR |
done | need |
| PHIL 251 EARLY WESTERN PHILOSOPHY | done | need |
| PHIL 253 MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY | done | need |
| PHIL 255 MODERN WESTERN PHILOSOPHY | done | need |
| Topics (at least two): | ||
| PHIL 205 MORAL PHILOSOPHY | done | need |
| PHIL 206 SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY | done | need |
| PHIL 212 ENVIRONMENTAL PHILOSOPHY | done | need |
| PHIL 221: FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY | done | need |
| PHIL 222 BUSINESS ETHICS | done | need |
| PHIL 223 MEDICAL ETHICS | done | need |
| PHIL 231 RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY, AND SCIENCE | done | need |
| PHIL 260 SELECTED TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY | done | need |
| PHIL 265 AMERICAN PHILOSOPHY | done | need |
| PHIL 266 CONTEMPORARY FRENCH PHILOSOPHY | done | need |
| PHIL 267 PHILOSOPHY & FILM | done | need |
| Advanced (at least two): | ||
| PHIL 301 PLATO | done | need |
| PHIL 302 ARISTOTLE | done | need |
| PHIL 310 KANT'S CRITICAL PHILOSOPHY | done | need |
| PHIL 315 HEGEL | done | need |
| PHIL 320 NIETZSCHE | done | need |
| PHIL 321 TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION | done | need |
| PHIL 325 HEIDEGGER | done | need |
| PHIL 330 WITTGENSTEIN |
done | need |
| PHIL 332 TOPICS IN METAPHYSICS | done | need |
| PHIL 340 TOPICS IN CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN PHILOSOPHY | done | need |
| Senior Thesis (one): | ||
| PHIL 410, 411, 412 (1/2), (1), (1/2) | done | need |
| PHIL 495, 496, 497 (1/2), (1), (1/2) | done | need |
| POLI 342 or 343 may be considered electives with the approval of the department, as may some IL courses. | ||