Philosophy Program

“I know nothing except the fact of my own ignorance.”
-Socrates

What is Philosophy?
Philosophy is literally the love of wisdom. Both Plato and Aristotle described this passion for knowing as the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, motivated above all by the recognition that there is so much yet to be learned.
In the academic world, the discipline of philosophy encompasses any intellectual pursuit that investigates the foundations and ramifications of our thinking about, acting in, and engaging with the various worlds we inhabit.
Some of the traditional areas of philosophy investigate the following:

• Epistemology – the nature of knowledge and justification of belief
• Metaphysics – the nature of reality and existence
• Ethics – the conduct of one’s life and what makes one’s actions moral
• Logic – the underlying structure of reasoning and language

In addition, more specialized areas of philosophical inquiry might consider:

• Philosophy of Science – the aims and methodologies of scientific theories and scientific progress
• Aesthetics – the nature of beauty and art
• Social and Political Philosophy – forms of society, government, and theories of justice
• Philosophy of Literature – literature and drama as vehicles of expression of the human spirit
• Philosophy of Technology – the effects and transformation of technologies upon human activities and societies
• Philosophy of Gender – the difference between sex and gender and how ideas about them influence our world
  
  
  

Philosophy at Stevens

“The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life.”
-Plato

The Program in Philosophy at Stevens provides the opportunity to explore all the aspects of philosophical inquiry listed above. However, in keeping with the mission of the College of Arts and Letters, it is our goal to provide a deeper understanding of all these facets of philosophy in and through an examination of science and technology and their impact on human existence. In that respect, science and technology become the lens through which we view the world and by means of which we answer profound philosophical questions. It is our way of furthering the study of Tradition informed by Today.

The Philosophy of Science and Philosophy of Technology

“In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.”
-Aristotle

It is precisely this emphasis on the Philosophy of Science that distinguishes the philosophy program at Stevens from most others. Known throughout the world as a premier center for research in the areas of science, engineering, and technology, Stevens provides the ideal milieu for an in-depth consideration of the following questions:

• What defines a science?
• What distinguishes science from pseudo-science?
• What is the difference between scientific explanation and any other explanation?
• Is there such a thing as scientific method?
• How do scientists justify their claims?
• How do we account for change in scientific theory?
• What is the relationship between accepted scientific theory and the world it purports to describe?
• How accurately does nature science describe the world “as it really is?”
• What role do cultural, sociological and psychological factors play in the scientific enterprise
• What is the impact of technology on the world?
• Is technology “value-laden?”
• What is the relationship between technology  and “applied science?”
• What is the responsibility of the scientist, technologist, and engineer toward the environment

The Philosophy Major

“Education is the best provision for the journey to old age.”
-Aristotle

The philosophy major at Stevens offers the opportunity to delve deeply into all the questions listed above as well as the option of specializing in any one if you so choose. You can opt for a single major in philosophy or a double major in another discipline from across the other schools at the Institute, such as engineering, computer science, biology, physics, or technology management. A major in philosophy is especially useful for students considering medical school or law school, or any post graduate study that requires critical thinking and analytic skills. Moreover, our emphasis on applied ethics—whether it be bio-ethics, legal ethics, environmental ethics, or computer ethics—provides an opportunity to consider the more far-ranging implications of your chosen field of study, not to mention a more conscientious performance in the workplace.
For students with more demanding schedules, the minor in philosophy is another very popular alternative.

Student Centered Activities

“Thinking is talking of the soul within itself.”
-Plato

The Philosophy Program at Stevens supports the Stevens Philosophy Club as well as the Philosophical Debate Team. These groups are open to all Stevens students interested in engaging in philosophical discussion and debate in a more informal setting. Club events include move nights, book discussions, colloquia, and field trips to museums and plays, just to name a few.
The Stevens Ethics Bowl is a yearly event specifically for high school sophomores and juniors, where they can discuss and explore key ethical questions in a competitive setting. This half-day event taking place each spring, serves to help introduce participants to careful thinking about ethical issues posed by our increasingly scientific and technological world. Prizes are awarded to the team that provides the best case analysis and problem solution.

The Annual Stevens Symposium on Science Technology and Values

Each year, the Philosophy Program at Stevens hosts an interdisciplinary symposium on some topic having to do with the intersection of Science, Technology and Values. The two-day conference held each April brings together scholars from across the globe to present papers and discuss current research in these areas.

"I have gained this by philosophy. That I do without being commanded what others do only from fear of the law"
-Aristotle