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Department of Philosophy
 

Welcome to the Department of Philosophy

For upcoming events and current news click here

Memorial's Department of Philosophy offers a thriving intellectual community where students are invited to explore the nature and problems of human existence and human thought.

What is philosophy?

As a discipline, philosophy is concerned with the age-old questions of why we are here, how we ought to live, what is knowledge and what are the principles of reason, and ultimately, what is the essential nature, if any, of being human.

Exploring these questions is a lot more than fun: the study of philosophy develops your intellectual abilities. Beyond the knowledge and skills required for any particular profession, a good philosophical education enhances the capacity to participate responsibly and intelligently in public life.

Philosophy majors also develop finely honed analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and writing skills that make them extremely effective in a variety of professional careers.

UPCOMING EVENTS
 WHAT'S NEW
The St. John's Public Lectures in Philosophy, 12th series continues this term with:
  • Dr. Steven Carr, "This View of Life" Darwin's Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. What it is & What it is Not

Tuesday November 24th, 2009, 8-10pm at The Grapevine, Water Street

Please note the change in venue from other years
  • Faculty and student news:
  • retired faculty member Dr. David Thompson has recently come out with a book on Daniel Dennett. Dr. Thompson gave a lecture on his book out at Sir Wilfred Grenfell, along with a talk on the environment
  • The M.O. Morgan Scholarships for Philosophy for 2009-10 have been awarded to Leah Costello and Sarah Khraishi.
  • The James Good Fellowship best philosophy student for 2009-2010 went to undergraduate Sarah Khraishi, in her third year in the Dept.
  • the Barend Kiefte Memorial Award for excellence in moral and political philosophy for 2008-2009 was awarded to Kyla Bruff for her paper in PHIL 3890 (Marxism)
  • From last year: the Philosophy Medal at convocation was awarded in May to Kyle Rees, also the winner of the 2008-2009 James Good Scholarship (stay tuned for pictures from May convocation)

Something old, something new:


Philosophy Colloquium Visiting Speakers' Series

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2-3:30 p.m. in SN 2098 (Science Building)
Helmut Maasen (Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf) spoke on:
"Conflict Solving in Gandhi and Whitehead”.

Per course teaching positions Winter 2010

The Department held its first Meet and Greet of the year on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009, 1-2pm, A3017 complete with pizza and other refreshments.
The St. John's Public Lectures in Philosophy, 12th series kicked off the term with:
  • Dr. Christopher Lockett, "Harry Potter and the Banality of Magic: Thoughts on Fantasy, Politics and Nostalgia" - Tuesday October 27th, 2009 at The Grapevine, Water Street

Philosophy Colloquium Visiting Speakers Series

John Ashton, D. Litt. (Wolfson College, Oxford) spoke on: "Questioning Tradition In Gadamer's Hermeneutics" on Tuesday, October 20. Dr. Ashton also gave the inaugural Annual Humanities Lecture: "Tradition in Art and Literature" on Thursday October 22.

Philosophy on Film: “The Examined Life”
Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 7 - 9 p.m.
For more information on this film please go to the St. John's international Women's Film Festival site

Welcome: Dr.Seamus O'Neill joins the Department this fall as its new specialist in ancient philosophy. Dr. O'Neill is well-known to the Memorial community, having taught in the Department previously. More...
More news and upcoming events in the department»