Developing Intellectual Leaders to Shape Contemporary Debates

The Department of Philosophy prepares students to become intellectual leaders in important debates that shape contemporary culture, such as those concerning religion, science, ethics, civil service, public policy, and the arts.

Learn more about our programs, our faculty, and our upcoming lectures and colloquia.

Mission Statement

The Department of Philosophy equips and mentors students to become intellectual leaders in important debates about compelling philosophical issues that shape contemporary culture.

Education Goals

Our degree programs aim to achieve this mission by developing a community of scholars who are:

Intellectually Skilled

Excellent in critical reading, analytic reasoning, and persuasive argumentative writing.

Historically Informed

Cognizant of the classical philosophical theories and principles that have shaped contemporary debates about God, human nature, and the Good Life.

Pragmatically Oriented

Able to use this combination of intellectual skills and theoretical knowledge to influence contemporary cultural practices concerning religion, science, ethics, civil service, public policy, and the arts.

Distinctive Features

These education goals embody four characteristics of APU’s Wesleyan Christian heritage:

Classical Christian Orientation

We draw upon the greatest aspects of the classical Christian philosophical traditions—Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant.

Sanctity of Mind

We believe that all people are called to love God with their minds by cultivating intellectual virtues so they can better understand God, human nature, and all of God’s Creation.

Sanctity of Heart

We believe that all people are called to love God with their hearts by cultivating moral virtues so they can be better lovers of God and of their neighbors and better stewards of God’s Creation.

Community-Oriented Service

We believe that all people are called to manifest their love of God and neighbor by putting these intellectual and moral virtues into practice, serving their ecclesial and civil communities.

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Thursday, November 28
Friday, November 29
Tuesday, December 24
Wednesday, December 25
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