Program Website

Philosophy investigates the most basic questions we face: questions of existence, meaning, and value. What can we know? What is real? What is the good life?

Philosophers critically evaluate answers proposed by ancient philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, and compare them to those of more modern philosophers such as Descartes, Kant, Wittgenstein, and de Beauvoir. Philosophical studies of this sort lead us to examine ourselves and clarify our own basic commitments and values. So why study philosophy? It deepens and enriches our lives.

Faculty

The philosophy faculty is dedicated to fostering dialogue on philosophical issues, and encourages lively discussion between students and professors, both inside and outside of class. Faculty members and their specialties are:

• Ronald L. Hall, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; existentialism and the philosophy of religion, Wittgenstein, Kierkegaard
• Susan M Peppers-Bates, Ph.D, University of Pennsylvania; early modern philosophy, feminist philosophy, free will and moral responsibility, philosophy of religion
• Joshua Bennion Rust, Ph.D, University of California at Riverside; metaphilosophy, philosophy of science, metaphysics, and philosophy of language

Special Features

Created in 2001, the Philosophy Departmental Seminar provides a forum for faculty members and students to interact in a thoughtful way. Each semester, the entire philosophy faculty joins students for an upper-level course. One faculty member chooses the topic and leads the class, but all participate, allowing students to experience and engage in philosophical dialogue in a collaborative environment.

Course Information

Philosophy majors study Logic, Ancient Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, Ethics, Epistemology or Metaphysics, and at least two other courses of philosophical interest. Each philosophy major also participates in Departmental Seminars, and completes research for the Senior Project, a capstone requirement.

Other courses available include Introduction to Philosophy, Ethical Decision Making, Feminist Ethics, Environmental Ethics, History of Medieval Philosophy, History of Asian Philosophy, Great Philosophers, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Language, Social and Political Philosophy, Existentialism, Feminist Philosophy, Contemporary Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Education, Aesthetics, and Advanced Logic.

Career Opportunities

The study of philosophy and the love of wisdom it engenders make an excellent foundation, not only for further study, but for careers in almost any field, especially in law, religion, higher education, and business.

Alumni Highlights

• Derek Stottlemyer (2009) is studying economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
• Brad Hewitt (2008) is working on a master's in philosophy at Virginia Tech.
• Mary Bernard (2007) will attend graduate school in fall 2010 at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she will pursue a Ph.D. in French.
• John O'Keefe (2007) has been accepted to Florida Coastal School of Law with a scholarship and begins his studies there in fall 2010.
• Sonal Patel (2007) has been accepted to Columbia University and begins studying in fall 2010 for a master's in education with a specialization in counseling for mental health and clinical psychology.
• Antoinette Scully (2008) is a librarian in Sherman Oaks, Calif.
• Ian Wasser (2007) teaches middle school mathematics in St. Cloud, Fla.
• Kevin Winchell (2007) works in Residential Life at Stetson.
• Chantel Wonder (2007) attends Stetson's College of Law.
• Demaris Del Valle (2005) is a practicing attorney.
• Rob Van Kaam (2004) earned a master's degree in religious studies at the University of Chicago.
• Wesley Sun (2004) earned a Master of Divinity degree at the University of Chicago, and works as a chaplain for The Lily Foundation in Chicago.
• Dan Quattrone (2003) is working on a Ph.D. in philosophy at Georgetown University.
• Matt Smith (2003) is a physician in Birmingham, Ala.
• Don Gast (1992) is an assistant U.S. attorney in the Western District of North Carolina in Asheville, N.C. He is a criminal prosecutor in charge of violent crime in the region of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
• Hoyt Edge (1966) is the Hugh F. and Jeanette G. Professor of Philosophy at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla.
• Dr. Thomas W. Fauquet (1966) is special assistant to the president for International Programs and a professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Urbana University in Urbana, Ohio.
• Jim Dator (1954) is professor and director of the Hawaii Research Center for Futures Studies in the Department of Political Science at University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu.

Clubs and Organizations

The Philosophy Club is a monthly meeting of the minds involving faculty, philosophy majors and minors, and students interested in pursuing advanced studies in philosophy. A student convener sets the agenda and distributes texts for discussion. Philosophy Club meetings allow students and professors to continue their philosophical dialogue outside of class in a congenial atmosphere.

Department Awards

The Ronald L. and Margaret Smith Hall Philosophy Award is a $1,000 award honoring the most outstanding graduating senior in philosophy.

Contact:
Ronald Hall
386-822-7584
ronhall@stetson.edu

Susan Peppers-Bates
386-822-7587
speppers@stetson.edu

Joshua Rust
386-822-7581
jrust@stetson.edu

Full Time Faculty: 3