The Philosophy Department at Middlebury College seeks to promote the following among students:
The ability to recognize, analyze, and evaluate structures of arguments, e.g., by identifying the key assumptions, theses, and justifications for a given position
The ability to compare views, to formulate arguments,and to communicate clearly in speech and writing,particularly in the service of creative and critical problem-solving
Familiarity with the central figures and texts in the history of philosophy, both ancient and modern
Broad acquaintance with, and thoughtful reflection upon, contemporary philosophical topics and practices
The capacity for independent research and critical inquiry
The ability to engage in discussion of alternative positions with intellectual honesty and respect
Department of Philosophy
Twilight Hall 50 Franklin Street Middlebury College Middlebury, VT 05753
802.443.2077 fax
A serious and good philosophical work could be written consisting entirely of jokes.
Ludwig Wittgenstein
What is rational is actual, and what is actual is rational.
GWF Hegel
A human being is by nature a political animal.
Aristotle
To think and to be fully alive are the same.
Hannah Arendt
Only the descent into the hell of self-knowledge can pave the way to godliness.
Immanuel Kant
The unexamined life is not worth living.
Plato/Socrates
A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence.
David Hume
...there is nothing truer than happiness, and nothing happier and sweeter than truth.
Leibniz
One is not born a woman, but becomes one
Simone de Beauvoir
A philosopher who is not taking part in discussions is like a boxer who never goes into the ring.
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Do not allow yourselves to be deceived: Great Minds are Skeptical.
Friedrich Nietzsche
From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.
