 Philosophy,
says Aristotle, begins in wonder. What a philosopher wonders about depends
upon one's situation and interests. For this reason it can be misleading
to offer a simple list of the matters concerning a philosopher.
Even so, it is helpful to look at prominent objects
of wonder in the tradition of philosophy. One such object is the
question of ethics. What is a good life? What does it mean
to be a good friend, parent, citizen, or leader? More specific to
the twentieth century are these ethical questions: Does a woman
have the right to an abortion? Does a white man have a first amendment
right to express racial pride by burning a cross on the lawn of a black
neighbor? Can a couple be good parents if both work 12-hour days?
Are those citizens with healthy bodies, broad educations or paying jobs
responsible for those without them? How might Plato answer such questions?
Aristotle? Descartes? Nietzsche? Irigaray? Are there
absolutely correct or incorrect answers to these and other questions?
How can we know?
A philosopher who offers a theory of ethics often also offers
a theory of knowledge--such a theory (an epistemology) is another prominent
object of wonder for philosophers. In order to indicate what
is right action, one has to indicate the criteria for knowing what is
right action, that is, criteria for knowledge whatsover. How does
one have knowledge? Is truth divinely revealed? A recent topic of
debate has been, "Is it ever right for the President to lie?" An
epistemologist would first need to ask, "What is a lie?" To
know what is untruth presupposes that one knows a truth. Do we really
have knowledge about some of the most mundane and assumed facts of our
lives (that you are in fact a human reading this web page and not a computer
hardwired to believe it's a human?--or that the sky really is blue sometimes
and not just appearing as if blue)? Do we have knowledge about these,
let alone about the more profound questions of life's meaning? If
we think we do or do not, on what grounds do we think so?
Such questions are just a few of those that the philosophy
student may encounter in his or her philosophical studies at Millsaps.
Here students are encouraged to indulge their sense of wonder, and much
more. They are trained to acquire refined skills as critical evaluators,
logical thinkers, persuasive orators and imaginative creators--all this
while reflecting on and growing to understand the value, beauty, suffering
and joy in one's particular and unique life and in the world around one.
What
Can You Do with a Philosophy Major?
When Philosophy majors graduate from Millsaps they are prepared to:
- Pursue
a career in law or government. Philosophy is one of the best roads
to law school because it provides a intensive training in logical
and critical thinking which is crucial to the study and practice of
law.
- Pursue
a career in advertising, investment banking, publishing, book or magazine
editing, journalism, broadcast communications , public relations (to
name a few)
- Pursue
an academic career in philosophy; work for a Ph.D. degree and then
teach philosophy at the college level
- Pursue
an academic career in other fields such as theology, literature, political
science, psychology, sociology or history.
With a degree in Philosophy, MANY doors open.
Our majors
have attended: Harvard University, Columbia University, Vanderbilt University,
University of Mississippi School of Law, Tulane University (including
the Law School); University of Virginia, Washington University, Emory
University, University of Wisconsin and many other prestigious institutions.
As
a philosophy student, you can participate in the Honors Program. This
is one of the most exciting and meaningful educational opportunities at
Millsaps. Ambitious and creative students find this program most challenging
and enjoyable! It gives you a chance to work independently on a project
(conceived by you)!
You
can participate in the European Studies program which holds a semester
in three European countries.
The
philosophy department presents a prestigious lecture and reception annually:
The Dunbar Lecture. It is offered by a nationally known philosopher.
You can
present a paper at the Mid-South Philosophy Conference or the Associated
Colleges of the South Women's Studies Conference. You can also enter
the annual Mississippi Philosophical Association Student Essay Contest.
First and Second Prize winners present papers at the Mississippi Philosophical
Association Conference.
You
can compete for a Ford Fellowship. If you are interested in college teaching
you can be apprenticed in the art of teaching under the guidance and direction
of a professor of your choice. You usually work closely with your advisor
on research, teaching, and other matters of your concern.
You
can be active in the Millsaps Philosophical Society -- a friendly, intellectually
inclined group, informal, yet devoted to the discussion of important questions.
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