Philosophy

Jessica VanZuilen, Holland Hall 426
507-786-3351

wp.stolaf.edu/philosophy

The aim of the Philosophy Department is to engage students in disciplined and imaginative thinking about philosophical issues. Philosophical questions fall primarily into four groups: questions about the nature of reality (metaphysics), about reasoning and inference (logic), about knowledge (epistemology), and about values and society, including moral values (ethics) and aesthetic values. These questions, which arise naturally in the course of a liberal education, are not only fascinating in their own right, they also touch on issues central to understanding and improving human life in our own society and in the world. Because they involve complex and controversial issues, there are no easy answers. Yet it matters greatly which answers are accepted, and it is therefore important to engage in discussion with others who face these questions and to seek to learn from the philosophers of the past and present.

Engaging in philosophy develops skills in careful and fair-minded interpretation, creative but rigorous argumentation, and perceptive, wise evaluation of complex issues. These valuable abilities are applicable to any subject matter and in any human context and are useful for negotiating the ambiguities of today’s career paths.

Overview of the Major

A major in philosophy is highly recommended not only for those who wish to pursue graduate study in philosophy but also as preparation for other careers that require the ability to think in a creative and disciplined manner about questions that are new or whose method of solution is debated, including careers in law, theology, business, management, medicine, journalism, politics, and education.

Philosophy majors are encouraged to participate in the student-run Philosophy Forum, to attend special lectures and events sponsored by the department, to explore study abroad programs, and to participate in departmental social events.

Distinction

See Academic Honors

Departmental Distinction is awarded to graduating seniors who have demonstrated excellence in our discipline.  This is the highest honor the Department can award. The Department awards Distinction according to the criteria below.

Criteria for Departmental Distinction in Philosophy

The two primary criteria for awarding Distinction are (i) the candidate’s GPA in philosophy and (ii) the quality of the candidate’s philosophical writing as shown by a portfolio of papers submitted for Distinction.  Excellence in philosophical writing is characterized by

  • clarity in the statement of a position,
  • care in the analysis of an issue,
  • cogency of argument,
  • overall coherence in statement and argument,
  • the range of considerations brought to bear on the issue,
  • the imagination, creativity, and style with which all of this is done, and
  • the display of intellectual virtues, such as humility regarding what one knows and respect of those with whom one disagrees

Although GPA in philosophy and the quality of philosophical writing are the primary criteria, participation in, or leadership of, extra-curricular philosophy events such as Phil Forum or Phi Sigma Tau may also figure in the Department’s evaluation as secondary considerations.

Procedure for Applying

The application for distinction in philosophy shall consist of a portfolio of philosophy papers that are of superior philosophical quality. The portfolio will normally consist of two or three papers that students have written for their courses, at least one of which should be a term paper from a 300-level seminar. Students are encouraged to revise their papers in accordance with the instructor’s comments and with the student’s further reflection. A paper used in a Distinction portfolio may also be submitted for the Ringstad Prize (but it will need to be submitted separately). Portfolio papers will be evaluated by the Chair and at least one other member of the Department. They will present their evaluation to the Department as a basis for its vote. The Chair will invite all seniors with a GPA in philosophy of 3.5 or higher to apply for Distinction. Seniors with a GPA in philosophy lower than a 3.5 will not ordinarily be considered for Distinction unless there are exceptional circumstances; such students should discuss their circumstances with the Chair before the deadline.  The entire sequence of Enduring Questions, Science Conversation, or Public Affairs Conversation can count towards one elective of the major. So, for students who are counting one of these programs towards their philosophy major, the Department will consider their GPA in their entire sequence of the program as their GPA for the elective course.

All submissions must be e-mailed in Word format electronically to Michael Fuerstein at fuerstei@stolaf.edu by 12:00 noon on Friday, April 11th, 2025. ALL PAPERS MUST BE IN WORD FORMAT, AND INCLUDE A COVER PAGE LISTING AUTHOR’S NAME AND TITLE OF THE PAPER.

Special Resources

The Howard and Edna Hong Kierkegaard Library at St. Olaf is an internationally acclaimed center for the study of Søren Kierkegaard, the 19th-century Danish philosopher who is widely recognized as the father of existentialism. Every year, researchers from around the world come to the library to participate in its visiting fellows program. It is an invaluable resource for students, too. A number of philosophy students have worked in the library, and seniors and recent undergraduates have participated in the library's fellowship program for young scholars. The library also sponsors The Reed, an undergraduate journal of existential thought.

The Eunice Belgum Memorial Lectures are delivered annually by leading philosophers from around the world. Recent lecturers include Jay Garfield, Costică Brădăţan, Meghan Sullivan, Eleonore Stump, Edward Langerak, John Cooper, Charles Mills, and Louise Anthony. Simon Critchley was the lecturer for 2023-2024.