Philosophy Department

Meet the Philosophy Faculty
Philosophy Webpage

Part of the Siena College’s identity as a liberal arts college in the Franciscan and Catholic educational tradition is a commitment to the value of philosophy. In this tradition, philosophy is the place where faith meets reason, and where students are provided with the opportunity to reflect on the most fundamental questions of human existence: questions about the nature of knowledge and understanding, the nature of choice and identity, the nature of action and excellence, and the nature of morality and virtue, to name just a few.

The department is committed to providing a range of courses that make Siena College’s philosophy requirement a meaningful part of every Siena student’s college education. These courses teach students to think clearly and critically about the most important questions of life, and help them explore not only how things are, but also how they could have been and how they ought to be. Philosophy courses help students develop the ability to critically evaluate diverse positions and arguments, the ability to construct and defend their own positions on a variety of topics and issues, and the ability to apply those positions and insights to their personal, public, and professional lives. In short, philosophy courses help students begin to live “the examined life.”

The department is home to a vibrant and growing academic community, with more than 35 students enrolled in a variety of major and minor programs. Philosophy courses are also part of a growing number of academic programs on campus, including the Albany Medical College program, American Studies minor, the Criminal Justice minor, the Data Science minor, the Environmental Studies major, the Film Studies minor, the Franciscan Service and Advocacy minor, the Health Studies major, the Interdisciplinary Research Methods minor, the Peace Studies minor, the Pre-Law Certificate program, the Pre-Med and Health Professions program, and the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies minor, as well as the Standish Honors Program.

The department aims to foster a vibrant intellectual exchange among faculty and students. To do this, we strive to maintain a deliberately pluralistic and interdisciplinary approach to philosophy, and our teaching and research draw from a broad range of philosophical traditions - contemporary and historical, continental and analytic, religious and secular. Our fundamental mission is to help students become insightful thinkers, compassionate individuals, and engaged citizens by endowing them with both philosophical literacy and skill and the opportunity to do original philosophical work.

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Philosophy, B.A.

Minor

Courses

Philosophy

All students must take the College core disciplinary requirement in philosophy, which can be fulfilled by either PHIL - 101. Philosophy and the Human Being , or PHIL - 103. Reason and Argument . Either of these serves as the prerequisite for all other courses in philosophy, but only one of the disciplinary courses can count towards a major in Philosophy. It is suggested that PHIL 101 or PHIL 103 be completed by the end of the sophomore year.