MISSION STATEMENT

DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

The Department of Philosophy makes a fundamental contribution to the University of Dayton's mission to pursue excellence in teaching, research, and service, and to act as a critic of society.

The Department's intellectual life and its competence to prepare students are grounded in its research activities and publications.  this includes:  working on historical and contemporary philosophical issues; critically appraising literature in Philosophy and related disciplines; developing understanding and evaluation of the intellectual foundations of our cultures; communicating the results of this scholarship to other professionals, students, and the general public; and engaging in dialogue with other disciplines within the University.

As professional teacher-scholars, the Department of Philosophy performs two major tasks.  First, it collaborates in the work of general education, preparing students to function as responsible and contributing members of society.  It carries out this task by introducing students to the political, moral, epistemic, and religious philosophies which have shaped our cultures; by training them in logical, critical, and valuational methods of thought; and by drawing them into a reflective dialogue which applies those methods to the institutions and governing values of their society.  Second, it offers a program for philosophy majors designed to enable them to develop logical, analytical, and relevant research skills and to learn about some of the major thinkers in the history of philosophy as well as some of the major philosophical problems.