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PHILOSOPHY AT SMITH
Why Study Philosophy?
1.) Start with the fact that philosophy has always
been at the heart of a college education;
2.) Follow up with the fact that philosophy
courses feature some of the most exciting, interesting,
and accessible professors and students at smith; and
then
3.) Consider the kinds of fascinating questions
with which philosophy grapples:
What is happiness? Can we hope to attain it? Can bad people be happy?
Since I sometimes see and hear things incorrectly, how do I know that my perceptions are ever correct? Might they always be wrong?
How do we balance our desires, needs, and rights against those of other individuals? against those of future generations? children? animals?
Do people the world over think the same
way about basic issues, or are there fundamental differences between cultures
regarding these things? And if there are, must we respect those differences?
(Think of cannibalism) |
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