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Traditionally philosophy has been a quest for truth and wisdom. It primarily concerns itself with those fundamental beliefs by which people have tried to make sense of their lives - to understand people and their place in the universe. In this quest, it has focused attention on three questions:
Following Socrates who held that "the unexamined life is not worth
living" philosophy has always been critical and analytic but it has also
been synthetic and comprehensive, developing into the classic speculative
systems of Plato, Aristotle, Hegel, and others. The study of philosophy
involves serious study of the works of the great philosophers, a mastery
of philosophical methods, and serious inquiry into major philosophical
issues. To be a philosopher is to devote one's efforts to the clarification
of these issues and to search for sound understanding. 
Courses in philosophy at Wittenberg are designed to explore the
full range of theories concerning the nature of people and their place in
the universe and to develop ideas that can help students make sense out of
both facts and values. They are intended (1) to equip the student with
the basic tools of philosophical analysis, tools for dealing with those basic
problems, principles, concepts, and methodologies that occur in other disciplines
or fields 
The Wittenberg Philosophy Department currently consists of three full-time and one or more part-time members. The academic background and interests of the faculty span the full range of philosophic styles and assure a broad exposure to the field. Department offerings include a comprehensive set of standard courses and a variety of topics or special interest courses. |
of inquiry, (2) to provide the student with an understanding of the basic
ideas that have shaped and still shape our cultures, both Western and non-Western,
and (3) to furnish the student with opportunities to engage in the personal
exploration of the meaning of life.