About
Become a Thoughtful, Ethical Leader
At Saint Michael’s College, we know that Philosophy’s rewards are not just intrinsic. Since we intentionally emphasize Ethics and reasoned dialogue throughout the curriculum, our majors not only grapple with profound questions. They also emerge ready to navigate the thorniest dilemmas of our time. Our combined approach allows students to apply the wisdom of great philosophers like Plato and Aristotle to contemporary challenges around the environment, the rise of technology, and racial relations in the United States.
No matter the issue, Philosophy and Ethics majors learn to tackle it from different angles and to develop well-reasoned and creative responses. Although these are useful skills in most any life and line of work, many of our graduates pursue careers in law, public policy, education, technology, business, and the non-profit sector. Many pursue graduate study and find themselves in leadership roles. Contrary to popular opinion, a degree in Philosophy and Ethics prepares students to do well while doing good.
“Studying philosophy sets me apart from my coworkers due to the well-developed critical thinking skills and ability to apply myself in complex situations. It also helps to develop a sense of semantic correctness which is crucial for my role in software development to build systems that are intuitive and scalable.”
– Marcus Mallows ’23, Software Developer
Follow us on our Instagram and Facebook accounts to get see what we get up to in the Saint Michael’s Philosophy and Ethics program:
Faculty
Philosophy and Ethics
Crystal L'Hôte
Philosophy and Ethics Department Chair, Professor of Philosophy and Ethics
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Philosophy and Ethics
Katherine Kirby, PhD
Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of Global Studies
Read moreIn Depth
Students in the Philosophy and Ethics program graduate well-prepared for a range of careers and graduate studies. As you inquire into the nature of truth, goodness, beauty, and human fulfillment, you will learn a openness to different perspectives and the art of problem-solving in contexts and are uncertain, complex, and ambiguous – much-needed skills as you take your next step after college.
Our students are attractive to top employers and graduate programs because of their ability to understand and discuss complex ideas, present information effectively, and negotiate with others, all in the light of shared human concerns.
In addition to offering courses in the history philosophy, we also offer classes that intersect with other majors, such as Healthcare Ethics, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Mind, Truth and Propaganda, and Philosophy of Science, Technology, and the Environment. Many Philosophy and Ethics majors double major or add a minor to further round out their education.
All students at Saint Michael’s take Philosophy and the Good Life, a core course that provides every student with an opportunity to learn with philosophers from across the centuries and the globe how to develop a mature vision of a well-lived life.
The faculty are accomplished teachers-scholars who are diverse in their backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Faculty include international, BIPOC, former military, Catholic, first generation, LGBTQ, and disabled people, and we feel this contributes to a rich learning experience as students consider challenging questions and varied perspectives.
Experiential Learning
Philosophy students have many opportunities to put their education to work with real-world experiences. While studying environmental philosophy, you might visit the SMC Farm. In conjunction with reading the work of Levinas, you might visit a local eldercare facility or join a study trip designed with ethical questions at the center and visit an orphanage in Guyana. You might have your work published and then travel to a conference to present your ideas, or you might attend or even host an event during Vermont’s own Public Philosophy Week.
While all students at Saint Michael’s have access to study abroad programs and internships, the Philosophy & Ethics Lab is an on-campus program unique to this major. Students who participate work together to create programming and learning opportunities with appeal to the full student body. For example, students make room for debates and recently hosted a trivia night. Students are responsible for executing all aspects of their programming, including marketing and communication, budgeting, and facilitating dialogue. The Philosophy and Ethics Lab is designed to help students gain a broad range of skills that they can take forward into their careers.
Careers
You may think of Philosophy as a valuable intellectual pursuit, but you may be surprised to learn that it also sets you up for a fulfilling and lucrative career! Statistically, students who major in Philosophy earn strong salaries and get accepted to law school and med school at exceptionally high rates.
Philosophy and Ethics majors from Saint Michael’s excel in fields like public policy, bioethics, law, business, education, counseling, social work, software engineering, and communications. See our Instagram page to see a range of outcomes, and do not hesitate to reach out to the Chair if you have any questions.
In Depth
Students in the Philosophy and Ethics program graduate well-prepared for a range of careers and graduate studies. As you inquire into the nature of truth, goodness, beauty, and human fulfillment, you will learn a openness to different perspectives and the art of problem-solving in contexts and are uncertain, complex, and ambiguous – much-needed skills as you take your next step after college.
Our students are attractive to top employers and graduate programs because of their ability to understand and discuss complex ideas, present information effectively, and negotiate with others, all in the light of shared human concerns.
In addition to offering courses in the history philosophy, we also offer classes that intersect with other majors, such as Healthcare Ethics, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Mind, Truth and Propaganda, and Philosophy of Science, Technology, and the Environment. Many Philosophy and Ethics majors double major or add a minor to further round out their education.
All students at Saint Michael’s take Philosophy and the Good Life, a core course that provides every student with an opportunity to learn with philosophers from across the centuries and the globe how to develop a mature vision of a well-lived life.
The faculty are accomplished teachers-scholars who are diverse in their backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Faculty include international, BIPOC, former military, Catholic, first generation, LGBTQ, and disabled people, and we feel this contributes to a rich learning experience as students consider challenging questions and varied perspectives.
Experiential Learning
Philosophy students have many opportunities to put their education to work with real-world experiences. While studying environmental philosophy, you might visit the SMC Farm. In conjunction with reading the work of Levinas, you might visit a local eldercare facility or join a study trip designed with ethical questions at the center and visit an orphanage in Guyana. You might have your work published and then travel to a conference to present your ideas, or you might attend or even host an event during Vermont’s own Public Philosophy Week.
While all students at Saint Michael’s have access to study abroad programs and internships, the Philosophy & Ethics Lab is an on-campus program unique to this major. Students who participate work together to create programming and learning opportunities with appeal to the full student body. For example, students make room for debates and recently hosted a trivia night. Students are responsible for executing all aspects of their programming, including marketing and communication, budgeting, and facilitating dialogue. The Philosophy and Ethics Lab is designed to help students gain a broad range of skills that they can take forward into their careers.
Careers
You may think of Philosophy as a valuable intellectual pursuit, but you may be surprised to learn that it also sets you up for a fulfilling and lucrative career! Statistically, students who major in Philosophy earn strong salaries and get accepted to law school and med school at exceptionally high rates.
Philosophy and Ethics majors from Saint Michael’s excel in fields like public policy, bioethics, law, business, education, counseling, social work, software engineering, and communications. See our Instagram page to see a range of outcomes, and do not hesitate to reach out to the Chair if you have any questions.
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