How should we live? What gives our lives meaning and purpose? What should we believe, and how can we be confident that our beliefs are true? These are the questions that have occupied philosophers for centuries, and that occupy us as we live our lives. Philosophy seeks to give rigorous, well thought out answers to these questions, or, at least, to help us frame the right approaches in the search for truth. At Marquette, we pursue these and other perennial issues primarily through the study of Western philosophical traditions from their Greek origins to contemporary thought.
The Philosophy Department has 27 regular full-time faculty, with a wide range of teaching and research interests. The department has a long tradition of research strengths in Medieval Philosophy and Continental Philosophy. During the past fifteen years, the department has greatly expanded teaching and research strength in ethics, social, and applied philosophy.
For undergraduates, the department offers a major with three specialization tracks: History of Philosophy; Social, Political, and Legal Philosophy; and Ethics and Values. For graduate students, we offer a Ph.D. that allows for specialization in all areas of the history of philosophy as well as many systematic areas. We also offer an M.A with specializations in the History of Philosophy and Social and Applied Philosophy.
Help support the Department of Philosophy at Marquette.
Click on giving and in the drop down menu of the "Designation Box," select "other," then copy and paste the following phrase "Friends of Philosophy" into the box labeled "other."
Rev. John E. Naus, S.J., a member of the Department of Philosophy for nearly 50 years, passed away Sun., Sept. 22, 2013. His Philosophy of Humor class was legendary among Marquette students, as was his Tuesday night celebration of the Mass in the Joan of Arc Chapel, his balloon animals, his alter ego Tumbleweed, and his continuing attempt to pass himself off as the university president to unsuspecting campus visitors. His obituary can be found in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
On September 19, 2013 Dean Richard Holz announced that Dr. Michael Monahan would step in as Acting Philosophy Department Chair. Please welcome Mike as he assumes his new responsibilities!
Dr. Richard Holz, Dean of the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, has announced that Dr. James South, former Chair of the Department of Philosophy, has been named Associate Dean for Faculty. James transitioned into his new role beginning September 18, 2013 but will be available to assist the Philosophy Department on an advisory basis. Congratulations and best wishes to Dr. South has he begins his new role!
Dr. Richard Holz, Dean of the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, has announced that Dr. Susanne Foster has been named Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. She will continue to assist the Philosophy Department on an advisory basis until a new Director of Graduate Studies is named. Congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Foster!
We extend a warm welcome to Dr. Corinne Bloch-Mullins, who is joining the philosophy faculty after completing a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Chicago. She has a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Tel Aviv University and a Ph.D. in Animal Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She works in epistemology and philosophy of science (general, as well as philosophy of cognitive science and philosophy of biology) and her main research interest is in theories of concepts. She will teach Philosophy of Human Nature. Welcome to Corinne and her family!
