As a humanistic discipline, the study of Philosophy at Oberlin College aims to improve human understanding of philosophical problems and issues, of philosophical doctrines and theories, and of the history of philosophical works in their entirety from the Western philosophical tradition.
Philosophy is a highly interdisciplinary subject.
Thus, library collections in these fields, as well as in Classics, Psychology, and Art also support the study of Philosophy. Disciplinary pedagogy and research methodology in Philosophy are heavily dependent on support from the library collection. Student use of the collec-tion ranges from the Reserve Room for assigned readings in introductory courses, to research for shorter term papers in lower division courses, and finally to extensive research and writing projects for seminars and honors courses. Translations into English of significant works from other languages in the Western philosophical tradition are also acquired. However, important editions of major philosophical texts in Classical and Western European languages are collected.