Philosophy@Utah State

You should know how to access online resources. The first one is available through campus computers (it requires a license). The name is “The Philosopher’s Index”:

Philosopher’s Index

It is a pretty sophisticated search engine for finding relevant articles and books on topics and figures. If you mess around with it for a bit, you’ll see how it works.

The second is “Philpapers,” and it is a little more straightforward to use, and it can be accessed from any computer. It is linked on the blogroll on the right, but here is the link again:

http://philpapers.org/

I have updated my advice on this page, after talking to a former professor of mine who has considerable experience with graduate admissions committees. Comments and questions welcome!

… you could do worse than watch this series of lectures by Harvard professor Michael Sandel (thanks to Shashank Chauhan for the tip). The topic is “justice,” and the lectures are nicely focused and entertaining.

Welcome to Shashank Chauhan, Cameron Davis, Mathias Fuelling, Beau Peterson, Michael Otteson, Justin Solum, and Professor Erica Holberg, as new members of Phi Sigma Tau – Utah Gamma! The traditions were honored, and a good time was had by all.

See more pictures… Read the rest of this entry »

The priority deadline for applications has passed but funding exists for more students.  Until that funding is exhausted, the application process will be a rolling one.  Apply as soon as you can!

Click here for more information.

Six logicians finish dinner.  The waitress asks, “Do you all want coffee?”
First logician: “I don’t know.”
Second logician: “I don’t know.”
Third logician: “I don’t know.”
Fourth logician: “I don’t know.”
Fifth logician: “I don’t know.”
Sixth logician: “No.”

Who gets coffee and why?  Click “read more” for the answer.

Read the rest of this entry »

There’s been some discussion around the web about physicist Lawrence Krauss and his claim that physics, not philosophy, is the way to go about solving philosophical problems. (I had a go at the topic here, but there’s more information and links here). Anyway, here is a link to a funny cartoon on the topic (hat tip to Brian Leiter).

Some years have passed since we made the “Philosophy: Think about it” t-shirts. We figure it might be time for a new batch of T-shirts, and we’d like some broader input on two matters. First, let’s consider whether we should have T-shirts at all. Some have expressed the worry that it cheapens the degree, or might induce people into the Philosophy major who really don’t belong there. More substantive comments on this issue are welcome, but let’s have a poll:

Next, supposing we were to go with T-shirts, what should they say? Ideas?

Something to think about for the summer! The theme for the conference is “Nietzsche and Bourdieu (who? See here!), but papers are welcome in all areas.
NietzscheBourdieauFlyer

Call for applications:

Students are invited to apply for the fall 2012 Saint Socrates Society reading group.  This fall we will be discussing a collection of books on the topic “Education and its Ends.”  The meeting time for the fall 2012 group will be every Tuesday from 3:00-4:15pm.

We will read works from selected authors including Josef Pieper, Cardinal John Henry Newman, Allen Bloom, Martha Nussbaum, and Mortimer Adler.  Participants will post weekly reading reflections on the blog and participate in weekly discussions on the assigned readings.  While the reading group does not count for USU credit, students may get Honors credit through an Honors Contract.

Thanks to the generous support of the USU Honors Program, students will receive their program books for free.

More information about the reading group, expectations of students, and the reading list for this fall can be found at the website saintsocratessociety.com under the “About the Saint Socrates Society” link.

Application process:

Students of sufficient intellectual maturity who are eager to read, think, and discuss a challenging set of texts concerned with human questions can apply.

Applications should be submitted via email to harrison.kleiner@usu.edu.  Include as attachments to the email:
- A resume.  Your resume must include the following items: your contact information (phone, email, address); academic year; major; GPA; academic achievements; extra-curricular activities; the name and email address of a USU faculty member who can be contacted for a reference.
- Submit a list of at least 3 books that have helped to shape your self-understanding.

Finalists will be interviewed by a team composed of Dr. Harrison Kleiner and at least one other USU faculty member.

The priority deadline for applications has passed.  Until funding is exhausted, the application process will be a rolling one (apply as soon as you can).