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Minimal Consciousness: A Workshop on Ethical and Conceptual Dimensions of States of Minimal Consciousness - 11/21/2009

Led by neurosurgeon and philosopher of mind Grant Gillett, this workshop explores how to understand and care for people whose level of conscious awareness is real, but severely diminished. Dr. Gillett’s morning lecture will be followed by an afternoon round table discussion on the relationship between minds and the social world in which they are situated.

Information about this event can also be found here:

Workshop, Modernity and Memory from Heidegger to Stiegler, Oct.3, Change of Location

Football on campus forced us to change the location of the workshop. The workshop will be held in the Heritage Room of the Kellogg Conference Center, 55 South Harrison Avenue, in East Lansing (west of campus, close to the I-127 Trowbridge Exit).

New Course in Fall: Ethics and Animals

Animal ethics is a relatively recent phenomenon in philosophy and throughout society at large, but the questions are very old. Aristotle and the Stoics debated whether animals have a psyche or soul. This course is structured as a high-level philosophical introduction to the central questions in animal ethics. It is appropriate for graduate students or students preparing for graduate study in animal-related disciplines, as well as for undergraduates with well-developed skills in reading and analyzing philosophical texts.

Zerby Essay Prize Winner 2009: Karl DeVries

The Zerby Essay Prize this year goes to Karl DeVries for his essay entitled Kant’s Refutation of the Ontological Argument. The following is taken from the selection committee’s report: “The winner of this year’s Zerby Prize tackled one of the most enduring and challenging arguments for the existence of God, namely the ontological argument.

The Martin Benjamin and Bruce Miller Award 2009

The Philosophy Department selected this year two outstanding students for the Benjamin Miller and Bruce Miller Miller Award 2009: Ania Pathak and Mark Bogner. [Read more] The award is presented to the most promising sophomore student in philosophy. Both Mark and Ania have demonstrated that they are diligient, curious, and self-responsible learners. Mark holds a GPA of 3.9, is a major in philosophy, and intends to add economics to his field of studies.

NEW: Philosophy and Law Minor

The minor in Philosophy and Law allows you to take classes that cover such issues as: What is the relation between law and morality? How do changes in technology contribute to changes in the law (e.g. regarding medicine or environmental issues)? Does the law help or hurt oppressed groups in society? How can international law contribute to peace?

The requirements for the philosophy and law minor are as follows:

At least 18 credit hours in Philosophy, including courses listed below

The blog of the undergraduate program moved to new location

The blog of the undergraduate program moved to a new location. Check it out here: http://www.philosophy.msu.edu/content/news-and-announcements-undergraduate-program

NEW: Philosophy and Law Minor

The minor in Philosophy and Law allows students to take classes that cover such issues as: What is the relation between law and morality? How do changes in technology contribute to changes in the law (e.g. regarding medicine or environmental issues)? Does the law help or hurt oppressed groups in society? How can international law contribute to peace? The requirements for the philosophy and law minor are as [read on]