Philosophy Department Mission Statement

The Philosophy Department at Marquette University aims to enable students in all disciplines with the development of interpretive, critical, analytical and communicative skills necessary to personal intellectual and moral development, cultural literacy, and achievement in the complexities of life in the Twenty-First Century.

The Department aims to foster among faculty and students a climate of mutual respect and support for engaging in scholarship, learning, and service that embraces diversity, respect for historic traditions, and the pursuit of knowledge in historic and contemporary approaches to philosophy. The department aims to extend the role of philosophy beyond the university through its publications and leadership in the profession and through innovative programs that engage alumni and community members. As a philosophy department in a Jesuit Catholic University, the Department encourages students and faculty to engage in exploration of the Catholic tradition in the history of philosophy and an examination of the role of philosophy in a life of faith and service. The Department understands its mission in the context of the University’s Mission statement. (Adopted 08/2009)

 

Philosophy Department Statement of Values

The Philosophy Department shares Marquette University’s commitment to the values of inclusion and respect for all students, faculty, and staff regardless of race, creed, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or nationality. Philosophy is a discipline committed to intellectual curiosity and humility, and the Philosophy Department at Marquette celebrates the plurality and diversity of philosophical approaches and embraces philosophy’s ability to speak to who we are as human beings in all contexts, including culture, religion, race, and gender.

The department is committed to creating an environment in which all students and faculty feel supported and safe in their exploration of the philosophical questions that move them, and in their ability to contribute to and develop our rich and diverse philosophical community. To this end, students, faculty, and staff in the department are expected to behave toward one another with sensitivity, consideration, understanding, tolerance, and an active concern for others’ welfare.

Behavior that is disrespectful toward the race, creed, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or nationality of any students, faculty, or staff is not only a violation of Marquette’s ethos; it undermines the equal ability of all students and faculty to shape the community of philosophical inquiry and curiosity that is essential to the flourishing of philosophy as a discipline.