Department of
Philosophy and Religion

I was a bit disappointed that my high school education never offered the opportunity to examine philosophy in general, and ancient & classical texts in particular. I wanted to learn more about these subjects, and felt that I should have, at the very least, a provisional background knowledge of the writings of philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle. Because I love to learn, the study of philosophy seemed that it would provide a perfect correlation with my interests. After I took my first philosophy course, I was hooked, and immediately knew that I wanted to declare a major in Philosophy.

I suppose, because of my interest in classical texts, not only in philosophy but also in literature and political doctrine, I am most interested in ancient philosophy. Through my senior thesis, I was able to examine some of the very fundamental philosophical foundations of the Constitution. This experience, along with the knowledge I have acquired and observations that I have made in my classes, has demonstrated that the history and background of nearly any issue will have an impact on its future. Perhaps this is why I love ancient philosophy, then—because I can trace the development of philosophical ideas to see how ancient philosophy might be analogous to modern philosophy.

As a student graduating with a dual major as well as a minor, it has been very interesting to see how different and varied are the actions and attitudes of professors and students from department to department. In general, I would say that both the students and professors in the Philosophy department are quite amicable, and are very relaxed. At the same time, they are great about encouraging their students to excel, on every level. I have found that this department has been extremely supportive of me throughout my four years here, not only in class, but also outside of class and in my preparation for law school.

My senior thesis is a combined thesis, structured to meet the requirements of both the Philosophy and Political Science departments. It is an examination of the judicial protection of the philosophical foundations of American law. In essence, I have examined the philosophical influences that helped to shape the political philosophy of the Founding Fathers. In particular, my focus was on natural law and natural law philosophers. I then took my study of the Founding Fathers and the Constitution one step further by focusing on a few select Supreme Court cases, in order to determine whether the Supreme Court has maintained this natural law philosophy that was such a large component of the political phliosophy during the time of our Founding Fathers.

Because philosophy is such a broad, wide-reaching topic that affects our everyday existence—from the way we think and perceive things, to the laws which govern us (and the political philosophy behind those laws)—every day, for me, is an opportunity to apply what I have learned. Specifically, I can say that my activities with the Washington College Amnesty International group, as well as with the Student Government Association, have helped me to better understand others. I feel that I now have a greater appreciation for, and understanding of, different opinions and views that others might hold. Philosophy has taught me to question everything, not out of doubt, but out of a desire to understand that which is being questioned.

I will be attending law school in the fall of 2004, with a focus on International Law/ Human Rights Law. My study of philosophy at Washington College has allowed me to nurture and expand my desire for knowledge. As a law student, I will be expected to question the law, as well as to understand the basic roots of law. Through my major in Philosophy, I have most assuredly honed my ability to examine issues through questioning and reflecting on them. Additionally, the structure of the classes is such that the students are consistently asked, and expected, to discuss the texts and to defend their own positions. This provides, for me, a very strong background in preparation of my study of law.

Colleen graduated from Penn State Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, PA, and is practicing international human rights law at the World Organization for Human Rights USA in Washington, D.C.

I did not have any access to philosophy prior to WC, but I was one of a few incoming freshmen who were offered a spot in PHL 235- Foundations of Morality. This was a great boon to me. Without it I am pretty sure I would not have taken a philosophy course, and I almost certainly would not have been a major.

I really enjoy political philosophy, because I think that it encapsulates all other aspects of philosophy. Political philosophy is about society, what society should be, and what invidividuals within society should do. To understand people en masse, you must understand people at the individual level. The tradition of political philosophers includes the greatest philosophers ever: Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Bruno, Bacon, Hobbes, Rousseau, Marx, and Kant - just to name a few of the best known. Some of these thinkers were political, some were ethicists, some were religious thinkers, but all were interested in society and the individual within society.

The best thing about the WC philosophy department is the professors within the department. All the professors are exceptional people, both personally and professionally. The professors have expertise in so many different and varied areas that WC can offer courses that are beyond the scope of other small liberal arts colleges. Seminars on Kant, Existentialism in literature, environmental ethics, philosophy of science, in depth treatment of eastern religion, and even a course on liberation theology are some of the incredibly diverse course offerings available. Because the staff is so accomplished, each member brings his or her own personal excellence to every course.

It was a comparison of Hobbes' Leviathan to a contemporary text in international relations theory by Hans Morgenthau Politics Among Nations. It is a comparison of the two texts, and it examined political theory.

Yes. The discussions by visiting speakers, interactive seminars, and movie viewings really expeosed me to philosophy outside of class.

Philosophy has prepared me for ANY career. It has taught me how to think. I can talk to people, listen to what they have to say, I can argue and present my point, and I can dissect other people's arguments. These are all skill employers want.

I am undecided as what to do after college. I am going to take a year off and work, and in that year I plan to decide whether or not to go back to grad school directly or to pursue a career either in business or the foreign service.

Philosophy is what you make of it. For centuries philosophy was considered the highest discipline of study, and I think that this is because it teaches people something beyond a trade that will make money. It helps people find out how to live well. I can always go out in the world and make money. It was because of the WC philosophy department that I learned how to live well.

I enrolled in an honors level philosophy course my freshman year, and after high school it was an new and fun experience to talk with college students of all ages about questions and issues that I had never discussed before. That class made me realize that I wanted to keep taking philosophy classes throughout college, and explore it more.

I've enjoyed most of the philosophy classes I've taken. Philosophy combines aspects of history, literature, religion, and even political science. So there's always something new to learn about. Right now I'm interested in Existential writers like Dostoevsky and Sartre and Camus; but I think at some point I'll revisit most of the writings I've studied while I was here.

In my experience, philosophy classes always attracted a diverse and intelligent group of people. Because so much of philosophy is seminar and discussion oriented, I had a chance to interact with people who were different than me, and from whom I could learn a lot. As a major in philosophy, I felt that I had a place in the department, and I was glad to be in classes with enthusiastic students and professors who wanted to discuss interesting topics.

My thesis is on Dostoevsky's novel The Brothers Karamazov; it deals with how the novel attempts to reconcile the existence of evil with a belief in God. For the thesis project you can choose any topic that really appealed to you during your classes, so there's a lot of opportunity to pursue your own interests.

I was the Philosophy Club president and vice-president during my Junior and Senior years. The department and the club are small, and I was able to help with and organize a lot of great events, like panel discussions, movie trips, and a student philosophy journal called the Apeiron.

After college I'm working at a children's summer camp, and then I plan to go to graduate school for school psychology. After majoring in philosophy I feel prepared to express myself effectively through writing and speaking, and I also feel more confident in handling ethical and logical dilemmas that I'll encounter. Participating in the philosophy program at Washington College was a great experience, and what I learned will be valuable in whatever I choose to do.

I knew that I was interested in philosophy when I came to Washington College as a freshman, but taking the intro course convinced me that I should declare a philosophy major. I loved the fact that the philosophy department was small, that the classes were small, and that the professors seemed genuinely interested in their students and made themselves available outside of the classroom.

After taking Philosophy of Buddhism with Kevin Brien I truly decided on that as my main focus of interest. I think that it best suits my personality but also it answered the metaphysical questions in the most satisfying ways. Like stoicism at its best, with ethics. I also think that studying Descartes with Professor Anderson was an invaluable experience.

It's writing intensive, challenging and it is a major that is limitless. Philosophy is foundational in every discipline of study. To add, the philosophy department makes the student majors a part of determining the curriculum in terms of the elective courses offered as well as new hiring new professors.

My senior thesis topic is a Foucault-based look at the construct of sexuality and the negative effect our assumptions about the nature of sexuality has had on women in patriarchal society, combined with the Buddhist perspective on the ego self.

During the senior seminar the Philosophy of Foucault, our professor arranged for several field trips to the Delaware State Penitentiary. The trips coordinated with reading Discipline and Punishment. This was an incredible experience where we were fortunate to have the opportunity to attend a Project Aware program, created by inmates, as a positive outreach program. Our class had an opportunity to talk with these men alone. We asked them any question and they asked us questions, we shook their hands and hugged them when we left, we mailed them books, we learned a lot.

I feel capable of doing anything. Studying philosophy has taught me how to think and I am very confident that I can be successful in any career I choose.

Amelia is now enrolled in the Philosophy graduate program at American University in Washington, D.C.