"Philosophy," as William James put it, "is an attempt to think without
arbitrariness or dogmatism about the fundamental issues."
Colby's
philosophy program challenges students to understand what it means to
live morally in an often unjust world, to deliberate rationally about
knowledge, freedom and meaning, and to appreciate deeply the natural and
aesthetic dimensions of our lives. Our courses provide the historical
depth, cosmopolitan breadth, and multiplicity of perspectives necessary
for participating in the philosophical conversation that spans human
history and reaches around the globe.
The philosophy department
cultivates skills in effective writing, close reading, clear reasoning,
and creative thinking, enabling students to join this ongoing
conversation. Philosophy prepares students for professional careers and a
lifetime of intellectual
engagement in a complex and changing world.
