Philosophy • Sweet Briar College

Girl poses

Elizabeth McElveen '25 is celebrated during a Scroll Game in honor of her post-grad plans to attend American University to study philosophy: social policy and applied ethics.

Students talk in class

Members of the History of Women Philosophers class have a discussion.

Students in front of a large palace

Students in the spring 2023 3-week Feminist Philosophy course travel to Vienna.

Classroom discussion

Retired Representatives David Trott and William Enyart visit with Dr. Penfield’s War, Power, and Justice class.

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In philosophy, students cultivate the art of thinking and explore fundamental questions about the world.

Philosophy

Philosophical study at Sweet Briar takes the form of careful, close reading and in-depth discussion of great works in the Western intellectual tradition, including the writings of philosophers widely acknowledged to be profound, provocative — or both.

Among the oldest of the academic disciplines, philosophy explores fundamental questions about the world, including the nature of reality, knowledge, beauty, truth, justice, consciousness, the self and the good life. With its emphasis on cultivating the art of thinking, philosophy is also among the most useful of contemporary disciplines, teaching the essential skills of critical reflection, analytical reasoning, creative problem solving and articulate expression. By studying philosophy, students both sharpen their minds and deepen their understanding of the world and the wonder it inspires.

In addition to acquiring a strong background in the history of philosophy, students benefit from pursuing the far reach of philosophy into social and political thought, logic, ethics, religion, science, history, ecology and the arts.

 

Philosophy Events

A guest lecture by Dr. Peter Boettke, Distinguished University Professor at George Mason University, elaborating on the benefits of Economic Freedom and celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Students in front of a large palace

Music and Philosophy Students Travel to Vienna

During the Spring 2023 3-week term, two classes traveled together to Vienna to make connections between music, art, and philosophy. They saw operas, concerts of historical and contemporary music, and visited museums.

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