Department of Philosophy

Philosophy remains at the center of the liberal arts, spreading its branches throughout the curriculum in supporting and challenging ways. Philosophy continues to be a gadfly, upsetting the complacency that often sets in when underlying assumptions are not questioned. Challenges to modernity, postmodernism, traditional gender roles, cultural biases, and established public policy all have important philosophical roots. In pursuing wisdom, clarity, and intellectual responsibility, philosophers have engaged a wide range of issues: the relationship between human beings and nature, the value of justice, the possibility of knowledge, and the meaning of human existence.
 
The philosophy curriculum at Lake Forest College highlights the discipline’s central and critical role: We focus on:
 
Exploring the Immense Range of Philosophical Concerns: Philosophical questions emerge in all facets of human life. We seek not to isolate philosophy but to highlight the ways human beings are inevitably led to ask the fundamental questions with which philosophers struggle. We deal with metaphysical, aesthetic, epistemological, and ethical issues in film, art, literature, and debates over public policy.
 
Stressing the Practical Value of Philosophical Inquiry: Philosophy is not mere idle speculation but serious inquiry into issues that matter in our professional, public, and personal lives; philosophical insights help us grapple with questions ranging from the obligations between employers and employees, to what level of education is owed each member of our society, to how we ought to view the environment.
 
Developing Critical Thinking Skills: Philosophy is both a subject and a way of thinking, a critical reflection on our most important judgments and human experiences. Philosophical skills can be used to put things in perspective, to see the consequences of our views, and to assess justifications of our beliefs, practices, and institutions.
 
Cultivating an International Outlook: Philosophical reflection occurs in different ways in different cultures. We seek to provide students with some understanding of this range of styles by offering opportunities to study Asian as well as Western philosophy. Our international focus is evident through our involvement with the College’s Program in Greece and Turkey. Further, we take advantage of the international cultural atmosphere in Chicago as well as the natural attractions of the area.
 
Fostering Creativity: Philosophical investigations require not simply that students learn a body of information but that they assess and build on that knowledge and ultimately develop their own insights and arguments. Philosophy majors are expected to design their own research project as the culminating experience for the major.
 
Except where prerequisites are listed, philosophy courses are open to all students, though first-year students should begin with a 100-level course or courses numbered below 220. Students may enroll for credit in only one section of Philosophy 110.

Department Contact:
847-735-5181

 

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