Philosophy (PHIL)

Dishwashers and microwaves. Smart phones, AI, and the World Wide Web. Space travel, 3-D printing, and genetic engineering. Technological advancement continuously reshapes the human experience and weaves together individuals from all walks of life and a rich plurality of cultural and religious traditions. Our world calls us to examine what matters most, to ask ourselves, "What does it mean to live a meaningful life in light of the world we hope for?" The Examined Life introduces basic philosophical tools to engage with contemporary and enduring questions such as this. With these tools, students will examine the deeper assumptions and the practical consequences of time-honored responses. They will learn how to parse, clarify, and better articulate the questions themselves, reflect on possible answers, and defend these with careful, well-constructed arguments that illuminate the various aspects of our lives and what it means to be human.

How do experiences of conflict help clarify one's sense of a meaningful life and the common good? This course explores this fundamental question through interconnected units that examine conflict via increasingly complex social structures: individual struggles with nature and self, interpersonal power dynamics, community-based ethical dilemmas, and finally, global conflicts. Using evidence-based reasoning, students will examine and evaluate diverse human experiences of conflict and non-violence across cultures, historical periods and varying scales, by grappling with the ongoing tension between self-interest and the common good. Students will consider how conflict shapes human understandings of purpose, identity, ethics and community as a means to developing a comprehensive way of thinking about human conflict and peaceful resolution.

Most important problems are messy and cross-boundaries. This hands-on course helps you break down complex situations, find patterns, and design practical next steps. Students will develop the confidence to choose wisely, explain their reasoning, and adapt as conditions change-- skills useful in any career, in personal choices, and as an informed citizen. Depending on the section, you might work through case studies, role-plays, community partner projects, or simulations.

The question "what does it mean to be a human being?" can be approached from many directions: we can ask "how are we here?" and try for a causal explanation; we can ask about our purpose and the meaning of our existence; we can ask about our nature and composition; we can try to figure out our place in relation to our relationships, our community, our environment, our culture, our beliefs, our times, our goals in life. In this course, we will apply a handful of philosophical theories to explore this fundamental question. Our focus will range from the great and weighty questions to the personal and concrete ways in which they illuminate our plans and our daily life.

In this course we will study ethical principles, and the application of ethical principles to situations relevant to decision-making in the professional world. The course will offer students the opportunity for a rich analysis of concrete dilemmas that they may face in their professional lives. Specific courses may focus their discussion on a specific area of applied ethics (business, biomedical, environmental); but the goal of the course is to develop a "toolkit" that will help students in their future careers, when circumstances demand careful, informed moral deliberation.

An application of philosophical analysis to social and political processes, developing philosophical criteria to understand and critique developing events. Topics considered will include philosophical explanations of political community, laws and government, leadership, the role of media, economic factors, and more.

Ever wonder why some arguments seem impossible to resolve? This course explores how our different ideas about what is good can lead to conflicts, and how philosophy can help us find common ground. You'll learn to spot shared values hiding beneath opposing viewpoints and develop practical skills to bridge these divides. Drawing from Catholic principles like human dignity and the common good, we will explore when and how to step into conflicts at different levels-from personal disagreements to community issues and organizational challenges. Through real-world case studies and hands-on practice, you will master the art of bringing people together through better communication. You will learn when collaboration works best and how to adapt your approach to different situations. This course connects philosophical concepts to everyday challenges, giving you tools you can use in your personal relationships, future career, and civic life. The course emphasizes philosophy as a way towards building understanding in a divided world.

We live in a world where rapid technological development has changed the way humans live and relate to each other and their world. Technological innovation promises constant progress. At the same time, the commodification of everything, from water and land to attention and human creativity, leads to experiences of alienation from our bodies, our work, our communities, and the land we inhabit. How do we address this sense of alienation in the midst of human progress? In this course, students address the essential question: In a rapidly changing world driven by technology, how can we thrive?

When we face complex real-world problems, how can the big ideas from theology or philosophy help us think through what really matters? This course investigates how philosophical and theological traditions provide resources for addressing complex moral and social problems. Students engage primary texts and significant thinkers to examine how concepts such as justice and the common good shape ethical decision-making. Particular attention is given to distinguishing intuitive reactions from carefully articulated arguments and to assessing the strengths and limits of different frameworks. Students will gain practical tools for making sense of our complex world and your place in it.

In this course we will study ethical principles and apply them to situations relevant to decision-making in the health care professions. Students will be expected to reflect on question-raising situations that demand careful, informed moral deliberation.

From Darwin to CRISPR, Newton to generative AI, scientific and technological revolutions have flipped our picture of reality and how we claim to know it. This course invites students to explore those turning points and ask: What is the world really like-and how do we find out? You'll learn to read scientific change through a philosophical lens and judge today's technologies with clarity instead of hype.

Designed for advanced students, typically majors. Student organizes a reading program centered on a topic not covered in regular courses.

This is an integrative course for the Philosophy major. Students develop a professional profile and articulate the professional skills they have developed in the major. Students complete a semester-long individual project, research-focused or practically oriented, in which they apply philosophical thinking to the resolution of a self-selected issue. Interdisciplinary projects, particularly if involving a student's additional major, are encouraged. Prerequisites: Senior standing or approval from academic advisor or department chair; 15 credits of PHIL courses completed.