Mission Statement
The Department of Philosophy & Ethics seeks to provide a context in which students can think critically and creatively about fundamental questions posed by human life and experience. This is done through the four traditional disciplines of philosophy: Logic, Ethics, Metaphysics, and Epistemology. Confident that the search for truth ultimately points toward God, we encourage students to participate in and contribute to the philosophic quest for truth, wisdom, and the meaningful life. We seek to engender a reflective approach to life that produces integrity of belief and action.
Philosophy Faculty
 |
 |
Byron Eubanks |
Tully Borland |
| Chair, Department of Philosophy and Professor of Philosophy |
Assistant Professor of Philosophy |
| eubanks@obu.edu 870-245-5521 |
borlandt@obu.edu 870-245-5523 |
Resources
Pictures from various Philosophy classes
Courses Offered
1003. Introduction to Philosophy.
A study of the basic concerns of philosophy which seeks to introduce the student to the spirit of reasoned inquiry and to encourage a reflective approach to life. Fall, Spring.
1023. Logic.
An introduction to critical thinking and traditional logic including argument analysis, fallacies, and basic symbolic logic. Fall.
2163. Death and Dying.
A study of the role of death in human experience, including historical and cultural views of death and afterlife, the nature of grief, and ethical issues related to death and dying. Spring of odd-numbered years.
3053. Western Political Thought I
As a systematic intellectual enterprise, theories of political philosophy address perennial problems of political relations. This course is an intensive analysis of the principal political theorists in the Western tradition from Plato through Machiavelli. Primary emphasis on their texts is complemented by consideration of the historical contexts within which they wrote. Also listed as PSCI 3053. Fall.
3063. Western Political Thought II.
As a systematic intellectual enterprise, theories of political philosophy address perennial problems of political relations. This course is an intensive analysis of the principal political theorists in the Western tradition extending from Hobbes onward. Primary emphasis on their texts is complemented by consideration of the historical contexts within which they wrote. Also listed as PSCI 3063. Spring.
3073. Metaphysics and Epistemology.
A study of contemporary problems and issues in metaphysics and epistemology. Spring of even-numbered years.
3183. Issues in Science and Religion.
A study of the processes and products of theological reflection and scientific inquiry and issues that arise in the interaction of the two enterprises. Also listed as NSCI 3183. Fall of even-numbered years.
3223. Ancient Philosophy.
A study of the ideas and arguments of major philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome. Prerequisite: PHIL 1023 or permission of instructor. Spring of even-numbered years.
3293. Modern Philosophy.
A study of major philosophers and philosophical movements from the Renaissance through the 18th Century. Prerequisite: PHIL 1023 or permission of instructor. Fall of even-numbered years.
4013. Christian Ethics.
A study of ethical analysis and decision-making within the context of a Christian world view. Fall, Spring.
4053. Philosophy of Religion.
A study of the philosophy of religion, its method and the philosophical issues related to religious commitment. [CAC-W and CAC-O] Fall of odd-numbered years.
4103. Bioethics.
A study of moral dilemmas and ethical issues encountered in biomedical settings. Spring of even-numbered years.
4233. Contemporary Philosophy.
A study of major philosophers and philosophical movements of the 19th and 20th Centuries. Prerequisite: PHIL 1023 or permission of instructor. Spring of odd-numbered years.
4783. On the Ouachita.
An interdisciplinary and place-based approach to environmental ethics. The course incorporates perspectives from disciplines such as history, natural science, and leisure studies and requires field work and travel after the end of the regular semester. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Also listed as BIOL 4783, HIST 4783, and LST 4783. On Demand.
4801-4893. Special Studies in Philosophy.
Independent study in philosophy. Prerequisite: Permission of the Chair of the Department and the Dean of the School. On Demand.