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Statement of Purpose
How do we know what we claim to know? What beliefs about the world, about our own
nature, about God, about human destiny are we justified in holding? What is truth? How do
we properly decide what is right or wrong, good or bad? The philosophy major at Colby
involves a study of the philosophical teachings of the greatest minds of history as well as an
examination of topics and questions that relate to contemporary individual, social, moral,
scientific, religious, and political issues.
Typically, philosophy majors are not typical. Often it is philosophical questions in other
disciplines that lead students to the philosophy major. The justification for the assumptions
made by the practice of science is not often addressed in science courses. Ethical
questions arising in the practice of medicine are not always dealt with in the science
courses taken by pre-med students. Literature and art raise important questions about the
human condition but do not always provide the logical tools or ethical principles for
answering them.
Philosophy majors learn analytic skills that help in understanding problems of every sort,
and logical, synthesizing skills enable them to see how the fragments of knowledge from
many quarters fit together. The philosophy major is the paradigm of the liberal arts major,
embodying the highest spirit and all of the virtues of liberal arts study. Most of our majors tell
us, though, that they elect it because it is truly interesting, and highly gratifying. Philosophy
majors have put their analytic and synthetic skills to use in a broad spectrum of careers after
college. Some go to graduate school and on to careers in teaching philosophy. Others go to
law school, business school, medical school, and on to careers in those fields. Some enter
careers in communication (newspapers, radio, television). Still others, with or without
additional graduate study, enter business, government service, or education.
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