Philosophy
“The unexamined life is not worth living.”
These words of Socrates, spoken 2400 years
ago, have inspired and shaped not only all subsequent lines of philosophical inquiry, but
also all critical and scientific discourse through the course of Western history. Our
Department embraces this maxim, both in the research work of our faculty members and
in our teaching: we strive to familiarize our students with the various ways philosophers
throughout history have affirmed and responded, concretely, to Socrates’ claim; and we also strive to help our students engage these various philosophical positions and approaches critically and rigorously, on their own terms.
Courses offered by the Department are intended to acquaint students with both the historical
development of philosophical questions and problems and with the ways these are
taken up in contemporary philosophical discourse. The Honours programme is designed
and recommended for those students contemplating graduate study in philosophy.
The Department’s offerings may, with appropriate permission, be complemented by the
resources of the Department of Philosophy of the University of New Brunswick.