Philosophers apply critical thinking to questions of values and beliefs and their rational defense.
They help people make sense of their world in scientific, evaluative and practical terms. Careers in law, the ministry or mathematics can be approached through the social, moral or theoretical foundations that philosophy courses investigate. Students interested in a broad understanding of their own culture and its problems are free to explore relevant issues in a variety of courses focusing on the philosophical aspects of moral problems, literature, art, technology, human values, and religious and personal growth. Basically, any career which demands training in critical and abstract thinking could be enriched by a background in philosophy. The Philosophy Department has fifteen faculty members and operates the Center for the Study of Values, a research and conference program designed to relate philosophy to practical concerns through an interdisciplinary approach.