The Hotchkiss School
Philosophy and Religion / Humanities
Philosophy is something you do, not simply a body of ideas created by others. So, following Socrates' counsel that the unexamined life is not worth living, the aim of departmental offerings in philosophy, religion, and humanities is to help students critically test their own as well as others' most basic convictions.
Whether the topic is the ethics of human genetic enhancement, the Buddhist teaching of no-self, the basis of legitimate political authority, or explanations of genocide, students explore many different perspectives offered by the best of classic and contemporary authors. Students read the works of these thinkers themselves and come to treat them as conversation partners in an ongoing dialogue, often crossing traditional disciplinary borders.
Doing philosophy or seriously exploring religion isn't easy. Ideas and practices from different cultures need to be understood in their otherness, without assuming that everyone shares your worldview. Seminar-style classes call for an independent mind and readiness to learn from outlooks opposed to your own. Learning to write clearly about complex questions takes practice. Yet, as Socrates knew, if you are up to the challenge, the ultimate reward is considerable: to think more lucidly for yourself, to grow in the capacity to take charge of your own beliefs, choices, and life in the most reflective manner.