Mount Allison University :: Philosophy Department

Philosophy is the endeavor to understand the basic questions that arise for us in our world, and to formulate this understanding in a critical manner. Traditionally, these questions have touched upon what can be known, what can be valued, what our own position is socially and individually--above all, how we can know what we think we know.

The Department believes that careful study of the great works of the past and present provides the best access to philosophical questions. Thus many of our courses concentrate the student on developments in the history of philosophy, from the sixth century B.C. to the twentieth century. Courses in logic, ethics, metaphysics, philosophy of science and the philosophy of mind examine special issues in these developments.

The study of philosophy invites critical and imaginative consideration of the questions themselves. Only thereby can the student learn to appreciate their force, and the variety of responses to them.

Since philosophical questions are deeply imbedded in the development of western civilization, one can study philosophy in conjunction with a wide range of other disciplines. Moreover, our students have found it a useful background for subsequent endeavours in fields such as law, civil service, medicine, theology, and further graduate study.

Introduction: Writing Philosophy Assignments