Addressing an issue directly, asking the right questions, weighing various points of view in a logical, rational manner, and devising ways of balancing alternatives when there is no single, right answer -- in short, "doing philosophy" -- is the essential methodology of the law, business, and every other profession.
Courses in philosophy develop skills in reading and thinking analytically and critically and in cogent argumentation. In addition, they provide you with invaluable insights into many of the major intellectual issues confronting Western civilization.
On average, each graduating class contains about nine philosophy majors, which allows ample personal attention from faculty members. Instruction takes place not only in class, but also in informal discussions and in the student-faculty Philosophy Club.
All three members of the Lawrence philosophy faculty hold the Ph.D. degree, and each is a recognized scholar in the field. Professor Patrick Boleyn-Fitzgerald focuses on ethics (particularly Biomedical Ethics), philosophy of law, and political philosophy. Professor John Dreher's areas of expertise include the history of philosophy and applied ethics, especially environmental ethics. Professor Thomas Ryckman specializes in philosophy of language, philosophy of mind , and metaphysics.
Curriculum -- The Philosophy Major
You will have a broad selection from which to choose at least nine philosophy courses. Historical courses such as Plato and Aristotle, will familiarize you with the philosophical ideas that have influenced our modern world. Systematic courses such as Theory of Reality and Ethics will confront you with some of today's essential philosophical questions.
As you reach an advanced level of study, you should take advantage of the opportunity to design a tutorial in which you will meet individually with a professor to explore a topic of your choice. Ambitious students sometimes expand the subject matter of their tutorials into honors papers. Recent topics include:
The Philosophy Minor
You can receive a minor in philosophy after taking a minimum of five courses in the department, including at least two historical courses.
Interdisciplinary Programs
The Lawrence interdisciplinary programs can supplement your major. Those of interest to a philosophy student include: Cognitive Science -- the nature and representation of knowledge, artificial intelligence, and the relation of mind to brain; Biomedical Ethics -- an examination of ethical issues in biomedical technology, health practice and health-related policies; and Environmental Studies -- how social and economic systems influence human interactions with the environment.
After Lawrence
Recent Lawrence philosophy graduates are active and successful in the arts, business, education (secondary and university), government, law and science—in short, wherever their intelligence and interests take them. They have pursued graduate and professional study at Cornell University, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Michigan, MIT, the University of Rochester, Temple University, Washington University, and the University of Wisconsin, among others.
Faculty