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Sonoma State University Philosophy Department

The value of a philosophy degree stems from the richness of the perennial themes that are addressed in philosophical texts and discussions. Majors in this department balance their studies of the great classical themes of philosophy with a focus on the particular philosophical issues that are of paramount importance to them. In designing the department major, care has been taken to emphasize both the historical and analytical dimensions of philosophy, as well as its theoretical and practical dimensions. In this regard, the Department of Philosophy believes that the Socratic dictum "Know thyself!" requires the exercise of both theoretical and practical reason. The design of the major expresses this fundamental belief.

Philosophy's emphasis on both the imaginative and critical use of rationality helps prepare one for a wide variety of careers that require finely honed reasoning and communication skills. Such fields include law, medicine, social and political advocacy, counseling, teaching, print and electronic media, and research and writing in both academic and nonacademic fields.

At the heart of the philosophy program is the faculty: highly individual philosophers who represent key approaches to philosophy, and who are actively engaged in ongoing research and exploration. The curriculum is expressly designed not only to provide the major with needed methods and historical perspectives, but also to bring students into contact with a broad spectrum of approaches to philosophy.

 

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