Philosophy

Welcome to the Philosophy Program at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas

The Philosophy Program at MSU Texas studies enduring ideas from the history of western philosophy from ancient Greece to the present: What does it mean to be human? What is justice? How does one live a good life? What constitutes moral goodness? By asking these and other questions, and by studying their relevance to other philosophical traditions in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, students develop the critical skills needed to challenge conventional ways of thinking and to recognize the relevance of philosophy to contemporary everyday life.

The mission of the Midwestern State University Philosophy Program is to cultivate a historically informed understanding of and appreciation for the philosophical enterprise; to foster critical reading, writing, and thinking skills through the examination of philosophical problems; and to promote a spirit of self-reflection and concern for the world among our students.

Students who graduate from our program with a Minor in Philosophy will have a rich and complex perspective on their contemporary world. Our students are critical and creative thinkers, informed readers, skilled writers, and adaptable learners who leave our program armed with a wide-ranging skillset that will enable their success in whatever career field they choose. A minor in philosophy is an ideal addition to any major. It also serves as an excellent preparation for Graduate School, Medical School, or Law School.

To learn more about philosophy and the Philosophy Program at MSU Texas, please refer to the menu on this page or contact Dr. Tyler M. Williams, the Philosophy Program Coordinator, at tyler.williams@msutexas.edu.

Learning Outcomes

Students who take philosophy courses will develop an:

• Ability to read, comprehend, and critically analyze both primary and second philosophical texts.
• Ability to recognize and critically analyze philosophical arguments within texts.
• Ability to construct rational arguments on behalf of their own points of view and defend those arguments against objections.
• Ability to recognize and appreciate the relevance of philosophical inquiry to other liberal arts and humanistic discourses.
• Ability to reflect critically and insightfully on non-philosophical issues using philosophical methods.

What Do Students Say?

I chose a philosophy minor because the field of philosophy challenged my ideas and opinions more than any other field that I had experienced. I am now much more comfortable speaking my opinion in class because you were so encouraging of that as long as we could support our views. I also feel completely comfortable asking questions that challenge major ideas and narratives and thinking critically in my own field of history as well as in my daily life.

I chose to minor in philosophy because I realized that I wanted to earn to think about things on a deeper level than the average person has the opportunity to. I wanted to understand myself and the world around me better. Studying philosophy has literally changed my life. It helped me to assert my intellectual independence and sort out what I really thought and believed, it helped me establish principles for living a better life, and it has helped me see the world, and the people in it, more holistically.

I'm glad that I minored in philosophy. I definitely feel edified by my studies; I have a more cultivated skill at thinking critically, strengthened awareness with respect to philosophical trends, and just a more interesting world view. Studying for my minor was one of the greatest decisions of my undergraduate career.

 Department of English, Humanities, and Philosophy