According to Plato?s Socrates, the love of wisdom (philosophia) begins in wonder.? In the nearly 2,500 years since Plato made this observation, philosophy has evolved into a vocation of incessant questioning in which nothing is taken for granted.? Today, a variety of traditions and spheres of inquiry continue to grapple with the field?s most enduring questions, questions like:? Who am I?? Why am I here?? What is the nature of reality?? How do I know?? What should I do??? The Department of Philosophy invites students to take up this vocation by introducing them to its history and aiding them in cultivating the critical and creative thinking necessary for its study.?

Student Learning Goals?

• The ability to identify arguments and provide counter-arguments.
• The critical engagement with and the questioning of one?s assumptions.
• The thoughtful integration of action with values.
• The existential risking of crisis and transformation through self-reflection.
• The acceptance of the invitation of philosophy to wonder at the big questions.

Fairfield?s location gives you access to stimulating on-and-off campus lectures and seminars across the East Coast. These experiences, combined with the curriculum, lead to a discovery of fundamental values while preparing you for a career in a wide range of fields.