Ethics and The Good Life: Student Op-ed piece published in Star Tribune
Gambling's sure bet is that people lose by Thore Dosdall '12
2012 E. O. Ringstad First-Prize Winners Colloquium
Junior/Senior category--Bjorn Wastvedt A Dostoeyevskian Critique of Jeffrie Murphy on Resentment
First-Year/Sophomore category--Thomas Churchill Could 'what it's like' be Physical Knowledge?
Monday, May 7, 3:45-5:15 p.m.
Holland Hall 516
Jonathan Wells subs for Taliaferro Environmental Ethics
April 28, 2011
Class began with a rousing welcom chant; "Visualize the substrata. Photographer-geologist!" The banging of various object accompanied the made-up tune. After gifts were presented a class photo was taken. Mr. Wells then began to discuss his work New York-City Block and Minneapolis-St. Paul with students. Students were curious about how humans have impacted the geology shown in his photography as well as the creation of the photographs themselvs.
Phi Sigma Tau Induction Ceremony
On March 16, 2011, the Minnesota-Beta chapter of Phi Sigma Tau, the international honor society in philosophy, was installed at St. Olaf College with twelve charter members and eleven chapter associates. Students are eligible for membership on the basis of their outstanding academic achievement and particular interest in and aptitude for philosophy. The philosophy faculty are also eligible for membership.
The St. Olaf chapter plans to hold a monthly colloquium series at which student members will present their papers to their peers for discussion and constructive criticism. Planning is also underway to bring in a student-selected professional philosopher to speak to the chapter each year.
Philosophy Department takes part in UNESCO World Philosophy Day
On Thursday, November 18th, 2010 St. Olaf students and faculty gathered together in the Philosophy Commons in Holland Hall to celebrate United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's World Philosophy Day. The celebration, one of many held around the world, was part of UNESCO's goal of fostering a time in which individuals could engage in a meaningful dialogue rooted in their personal convictions. In addition to an excellent conversation, pizza and pop -- provided by the department -- made the gathering irresistible.
"It was great to see so many students across the disciplinary board show up to celebrate philosophy in their daily lives. The critical thinking skills that philosophy requires remains an important, though often overlooked, foundational component of a quality liberal arts education. Our celebration today shows that these skills are alive and well at St. Olaf College," said Eric Erfanian '12.
Side by side with professors, strangers, and friends, students discussed the merits of a philosophical education, issues of equality and involvement in the college, and ways in which the "examined life" can sustain and benefit oneself for years to come. Given the success of this year's celebration, the department looks forward to continuing the tradition in the future.
Alumnus Attains Master's Degree after 15-Year Hiatus
Nate Sawyer '90 recently completed a Master's Degree in philosophy at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. where he is full-time communications director. His final oral included a defense of the following papers: 1) The Story of Inequality: A Pragmatic Call for Urgency-Infused Theory; 2) Dewey's Philosophy of Education: A Hooded Defense; and 3) Kierkegaard's Debt to Hume. His committee members included John Wallace and Sarah Holtman (Co-advisors), Doug Lewis (Chair), Karen Seashore (Supporting Program, Educational Policy and Administration).
Philosophy Alumnus Serves in Middle Asia
Larry Tweed '97 is serving in the Peace Corps at the Center for American Studies in Osh, Kyrgystan. He maintains a Web blog http://www.kyrgyzstankid.blogspot.com/ filled with interesting photos, information, and news about the center's work.
Former Philosophy Major Wins Oxford
Prize for Dissertation
Sam Evans '02 was awarded the Dan Gouller Prize for the best dissertation in the Management Faculty at Oxford University, where he completed his MSc in Management Research. His dissertation, entitled "The governance of biotechnology at the World Trade Organization: a cultural theory framework" is published on-line at pondergmind.org.
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we'd like to hear from you.
You may email us at:
harper@stolaf.edu
Academic Administrative Assistant
Department of Philosophy
St. Olaf College
Northfield, MN 55057
The Philosophy Department supports activities each year including:
