Philosophy Program

 University of Wisconsin Superior

 

 

Does God exist?  Are we human beings nothing more than complex material objects or do we have a non-material soul that could survive the death of the body?  Are we human beings radically different from non-human animals?  Do we have free will or is everything we think, say and do the inevitable effect of preceding causes?  Could there be a conscious robot?  Could my whole life have been a dream or virtual reality?  What makes something morally right or wrong and why should I do what is right?

 

These are philosophical questions.  Human beings have asked themselves such questions for thousands of years.  The discipline of philosophy is ancient.  Its questions are central to who we are.  Philosophy seeks to think critically about fundamental concepts and about questions of value.  It stands at the core of the liberal arts and the university tradition.   The study of philosophy illuminates the ruling ideas of our age, calling them into question and freeing the individual mind from narrow preconceptions.

  

The University of Wisconsin Superior offers a variety of philosophy courses suitable for all undergraduate students as part of its General Education Program.  In addition, UW-Superior offers a minor in philosophy for those students who would like to pursue the subject further.  While the minor in philosophy is especially recommended for students considering law school or seminary, with its emphasis on reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking, a minor in philosophy also supports careers in business, government, education, journalism, and medicine. 

 

Students pursuing a minor in philosophy must complete 21 credits in philosophy.  Required courses include: Introduction to Philosophy, Contemporary Moral Problems, and either Critical Thinking or Elementary Symbolic Logic.  The remaining semester credits may be earned from among the other offerings in philosophy provided at least one-third of the total credits for the minor are from 300-level courses or above.

 

For information about the philosophy program or the philosophy minor at UW-Superior, please contact Dr. Richard Hudelson by phone at 715-394-8476 or by e-mail at: rhudelso@uwsuper.edu