The Church considers philosophy an indispensable help for a deeper understanding of faith (Pope John Paul II).

"Philosophy is not the concern of those who pass through Divinity and Greats, but of those who pass through birth and death. Nearly all the more awful and abtruse statements can be put in words of one syllable, from 'a child is born' to 'A soul is damned.' If the ordinary man may not discuss existence, why should he be asked to conduct it" (G.K. Chesterton ).

PHI 100: Fundamentals of Philosophy. An introduction to Philosophy with an emphasis on the philosophy of nature and man. Topics will include: the meaning and nature of Philosophy, change and the four causes, the nature and powers of the soul, the immortality of the human soul, and philosophical knowledge of God. Readings will primarily be from the works of Plato, Aristotle, and St. Thomas Aquinas. Representative modern positions will also be examined. (3 credits, Fall. Pre-requisite: none.  M. Schintgen) 

PHI 101: Introduction to Philosophy.  (6 Credits.  This course has been replaced in the core by PHI 100 and PHI 200)

PHI 141 Logic: The human mind must be trained to reason properly, and this art of defining and reasoning is called logic. Since the Catholic Faith is rational, its explanation and defence require that every educated Catholic be grounded in the principles of right reasoning. This course follows the pedagogical method of John Oesterle, who summarizes Aristotle's works on logic in the light of the medieval masters. We begin with the components of the first act of the human intellect, simple apprehension including categorization, opposition, division, and definition before moving on to the second and third acts of the intellect, namely propositions, judgements of truth and falsity, and, finally, syllogistic reasoning. The exercises and examples emphasize the use and abuse of logic in everyday speech and actions. (3 credits, Pre-requisite: none: Schintgen)

PHI 200: Ethics. An introduction to the foundation and method of Ethics. Topics will include: how Ethics is possible, happiness, virtue, the morality of human acts, and the purpose of society. Readings will be from Plato, Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, The Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas, and select ancient and modern authors. (3 credits, Spring. Pre-requisite: PHI 100. Schintgen) 

PHI 241: Formal Logic: An examination of the principles and methods of Formal Logic through an analysis of the foundational texts of Aristotle. Attention will also be given to later historical developments by Greek, Roman, and Medieval Logicians. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite: PHI 141: Logic. Not offered 2008-2009)

PHI 242: Material Logic: This course will examine how the principles of Logic are used to acquire knowledge. The methods and degrees of certitude possible to different types of arguments (Demonstrative, Dialectical, and Rhetorical) will be analyzed. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite: PHI 141: Logic. Not offered 2008-2009)

PHI 243: Symbolic Logic: An introduction to the methods and applications of modern Symbolic Logic. Attention will also be given to the theoretical foundations of Symbolic Logic and its relationship to Aristotelian Logic. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite: PHI 141: Logic. Not offered 2008-2009)

PHI/THE 270: Augustinian Thought. John Paul II urged the spiritual sons of St. Augustine “to keep the fascination of St. Augustine alive and attractive even in modern society.”  Few today venture outside of The Confessions to encounter this great Doctor of the Church, and so remain unaware of the fact that St. Augustine’s contribution to Catholic theology, and indeed, to Christian theology as a whole, is exceeded only by the Bible itself.  Controversies that have sprung from his thought have occupied a great part of the life of the mind since his death in 430, and remain major events in the Church even today.  It is impossible to imagine theology apart from his contributions to Trinitarian theology, sacramental theology, theology of grace, mysticism, and the philosophy of personhood.  All Latin theologians since his time have considered themselves his disciples, including St. Thomas Aquinas, which makes this course a perfect complement for Thomistic Thought.  This class shall plot out the course by which a middle-class African teacher of rhetoric changed the face of the thought of humanity, with special attention to his encounter with the Manichaeans, the Donatists, and the Pelagians. (3 Credits, Spring.  Co-requisite: THE/PHI 271: Thomistic Thought.  Kerr)

PHI 290: Introduction to Political Philosophy: "There is no better way to renew a genuinely human political life than to encourage an inner sense of justice . . . and to strengthen basic convictions on the true nature of the political community as well as the purpose, the right use and the limitations of public authority" (Second Vatican Council). This course presents an overview of the development of political philosophy, in the context of the perennial philosophy, from its beginning to our times, familiarizing students with the principles that emerge along the way. While surveying a variety of great philosophers, including Plato, Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Maritain, the principles that are constant in the development of political thought will be examined, and their applicability to our modern society in view of the common good will be discussed. (3 Credits, Fall. Pre-requisite: PHI 200. Schintgen) 

PHI 291: Political Philosophy I: This course presents an overview of the development of political philosophy from ancient Greece to the Middle Ages. While surveying a variety of great philosophers, the principles that are constant in the development of political thought will be examined, and their applicability to our modern society in view of the common good will be discussed. Pre-requisite: (3 Credits. Pre-requisite: PHI 220. Not offered 2008-2009)

PHI 292: Political Philosophy II: This course presents an overview of the development of political philosophy from the Renaissance to our times. While surveying a variety of great philosophers, the principles that are constant in the development of political thought will be examined, and their applicability to our modern society in view of the common good will be discussed. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite: PHI 100. Not offered 2008-2009)

PHI 302: Medieval Philosophy: This course surveys Philosophers and the development of Philosophy from the period of the late Roman Empire to the Renaissance. Emphasis will be given to the continuity of Medieval Philosophy with Ancient Philosophy (especially Plato and Aristotle), but also to its originality in reconciling Faith and Reason. Attention will also be given to the perennial value of Medieval Philosophy. (3 Credits, Fall. Co-requisite: PHI/THE 271. Not offere 2008-2009)

PHI 303: Modern Philosophy: This course surveys Philosophers and the development of Philosophy since the Renaissance, with an emphasis on the ‘classical’ period of Modern Philosophy from Descartes to Kant. Important later figures such as Hegel, Nietzsche, and Husserl will also be examined. (3 Credits, Fall. Co-requisite: PHI/THE 271. Schintgen)

PHI/THE 368: Apologetics. This course is designed to foster the basic principles of apologetic discourse, as well as the fundamental skills of public speaking. Rather than focus on all the elements of Catholic theology (covered in other courses), this course teaches students how to argue well for the faith, using reason and revelation. Students will give a series of weekly talks on various subjects pertaining to apologetics, including the beliefs of our separated brethren, as well as clearing up certain misconceptions about our own faith. Clarity of thought, rational discourse, as well as basic rhetorical skills will all be emphasized. (3 Credits, Co-requisites: PHI/THE 271, THE/HIS 310.  Next offered 2008-2009)

PHI 404: Contemporary Philosophy. This course will survey the devlopment of philosophy in the 20th century with emphasis upon those lines of thought that are being developed in the 21st century. Special attention will be given to currents of thought prominent in Catholic philosophical circles, such as Personalism, the Thomistic Revival, and Phenomenology. (3 Credits, Spring. Pre-requisite: PHI 303 or PHI 325: Methaphysics. M. Schintgen)