About Us


"Philosophy has taught me to rely on my own convictions rather than on the judgment of others and to concern myself less with whether I am well thought of than whether what I do or say is evil."

(Pico della Mirandola, Oration on the Dignity of Man)

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, truth, beauty, law, justice, validity, mind and language. Philosophers aim to understand reality, clarify the nature of interactions between individuals and society, and to come to terms with problems of existence and ultimate value.

The Department of Philosophy at Memorial University is a small but vibrant community of scholars actively researching in a variety of areas of philosophy in the heritage city of St. John’s, Newfoundland.

The Department offers a variety of undergraduate programs, and directs graduate research in the history of philosophy, continental philosophy, and political philosophy, as well as other areas. Students of all levels are invited to come and explore the nature and problems of existence, being and thought.

Department Head: Dr. Arthur Sullivan, arthurs@mun.ca

Undergraduate Liaison: Dr. Peter Trnka, ptrnka@mun.ca

Graduate Officer: Dr. Seamus O'Neill, sjoneill@mun.ca

Administrative Secretary: Ms. Jill Robinson, jillr@mun.ca