College of the Pacific

Department of Philosophy

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” —Socrates in Plato’s Apology

The study of philosophy is at the core of a liberal arts education. The ideal of a liberal arts education is not simply to prepare students for a specific career but to prepare them for a meaningful personal life and for intelligent participation in their communities. There are issues that all human beings confront, such as the nature and limits of knowledge, the principles of right and wrong, the meaning of life, the truth of religious claims, and the nature of reality.  Philosophers raise critical questions about these issues.

 
Philosophy enhances analytical, critical, and interpretive capacities for its' students that are applicable to any subject matter. It cultivates the appetite for self-expression and reflection, exchange and debate of ideas, life-long learning, and dealing with problems for which there are no easy answers. It also helps to prepare one for the tasks of citizenship. Participation in political and community affairs today is all too often insufficiently informed. A good philosophical education enhances the capacity to participate responsibly and intelligently in public life.

 
Students choose the Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy for various reasons. Most enjoy the intellectually provocative and challenging nature of philosophical inquiry. Some study philosophy in order to go to graduate school and eventually teach philosophy or to enter other professional fields, such as law. And others take philosophy as a second major since it is a good complement to virtually any other major. In all cases, the study of philosophy is personally enriching and develops skills that are transferable to a variety of occupations.