Literally meaning “the love of wisdom,” philosophy is about wonder, curiosity, and a hunger to know more about what it means to be a thinking human being. In a down-to-earth way, philosophy is about applying critical thinking skills to the fundamental questions that human beings ponder.
Why are we here?
Where did we come from? Where did the world come from?
Where are we going? Does something come after life?
Do our lives matter?
How should we live? How do we know what is right and what is wrong?
In pursuit of those questions, students taking courses in philosophy will explore the history of philosophy since the ancient world, learn about the great thinkers who addressed these questions and asked new questions of their own, and hopefully will begin to “do philosophy” on their own as critical thinkers. Philosophy is not passive; it is an active pursuit of truth and knowledge that self-aware people can engage in for the rest of their lives.
Associate Degree requirements and transfer information:
Courses offered include Introduction to Philosophy and Introduction to Ethics, both of which are academic transfer courses to four-year colleges and universities, or may be taken to fulfill requirements of an Associate degree at Kilgore College. Both courses are part of the Core Curriculum and may serve as Humanities electives for all students. Additionally, Introduction to Philosophy is a required course for the Nursing program, and Introduction to Ethics is a required course for the Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. Philosophy is a discipline within the Department of Humanities and Social/Behavioral Sciences.
