Department of Philosophy

The study of philosophy explores the fascinating range of theories and worldviews that have been offered in humankind's attempt to comprehend reality. Majoring in philosophy is a good choice for many students, but especially those planning on graduate work in the humanities, a law degree, or an MBA. Many students even find it worthwhile to double major in philosophy and another field, such Philosophy and Biology as preparation for medical school.

Courses at Fort Lewis College cover both western philosophy and many non-western traditions. The program provides a strong grounding in the history of philosophy, while acquainting students with contemporary theories and approaches in all four major areas of philosophy: metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and logic.

Philosophy classes here at Fort Lewis College encourage lively debate among students and professors over issues most central to our lives. The Philosophy Club sponsors numerous receptions, talks, and events. We also offer exciting off-campus experiences to students interested in combining philosophy with adventurous trips abroad.

Our small classes mean you get an individualized education from our expert faculty. Because our faculty's focus is on teaching, they work closely with their students, taking pride in keeping their office doors open, being involved in their students' progress, and tailoring their assistance to each learner's needs. Our classes encourage lively debate among students and professors over issues most central to our lives. To learn more about our department, feel free to browse the website or download our brochure (PDF). If there is anything that we can do to help, please let us know.

Philosophy News & Updates

Monday, June 03, 2013


The French Take Philosophy Seriously!  A BBC report on the stiff philosophical requirements of French higher education.

Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Dr. Sarah Roberts-Cady has been accepted as a participant in a 2013 summer workshop at the Central European University in Budapest, Hungary.  The workshop is entitled  Justice: Theory and Applications.  Congratulations, Sarah!

Monday, March 18, 2013

Dr. Justin McBrayer has been accepted as a participant in a 2013 summer workshop at the Central European University in Budapest, Hungary.  The workshop is entitled Moral Intuitionism: Epistemological and Methodological Aspects.  Congratulations, Justin!

Sunday, November 11, 2012
Fort Lewis students competed in their first ever Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl competition yesterday!  They won their initial debate despite eventually losing to the winner of the entire regional competition.  Good job Colin, Caleb, Jakob and Ryan!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Dr. Justin McBrayer will be leading an innovative month trip to Greece this summer!  Students will earn both EGC and Philosophy credit as they explore both classical and contemporary Greek culture.
Monday, August 20, 2012
How Americans View Wealth and Inequality with insights from political philosopher John Rawls.
Thursday, August 09, 2012
One of our philosophy majors and recent graduates, Daniel Leighton, has accepted a job with Mercury Payment Systems here in Durango. Congratulations, Dan!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
America the Philosophical?  So says a New York Times review...
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
One of our philosophy majors, Andy Bolton, has been accepted to a masters of library science program at the University of British Columbia.  Congratulations, Andy! 
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
One of our philosophy majors, Ursula Squire, has been accepted to law school.  Congratulations, Ursula! 
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Dr. Justin McBrayer is one of two 2012 recipients of the New Faculty Teaching Award.  Our department now has TWO teaching awards to its credit!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
One of our philosophy majors, Ryan Murphy, has been accepted to San Francisco State for graduate school in philosophy.  Congratulations, Ryan! 
Thursday, April 05, 2012
"Wealth or Waste? Rethinking the Value of a Business Major," as reported in The Wall Street Journal.  It turns out that employers want employees who have the breadth and critical thinking skills that come from a liberal arts degree. 
Thursday, March 22, 2012
An article in the New York Times entitled "Does it Matter Whether God Exists?" cites an article entitled "Skeptical Theism" recently published by Dr. Justin McBrayer. 
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Dr. Sarah Roberts-Cady has been promoted to full professor.  Congratulations, Sarah!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Dr. Justin McBrayer  is one of 20 PhD's to be chosen as a participant in this summer's St. Thomas Summer Seminar in Philosophy of Religion sponsored by the Templeton Foundation.
Thursday, December 01, 2011
The Wall Street Journal has released its data on the Best and Worst Jobs of 2011.  Guess who ranks at 16 out of 200 different jobs?  Philosophy! 
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Dr. Justin McBrayer's recent work in philosophy of religion is noted on the philosophy of religion blog the ex-apologist.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Dr. Justin McBrayer will be presenting a paper on counterpart theodicies as responses to the argument from evil at the 2012 Mountain/Pacific meeting of the Society of Christian Philosophers in Santa Barbara, CA from January 11-13, 2012.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Dugald Owen will be giving at lecture entitled “Answering Agrippa: An Internalist Solution to the Regress Problem” at the Northwest Philosophy Conference in Portland, OR on Nov. 4th & 5th, 2011.
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
The department has received a grant from the Society of Christian Philosophers to bring renowned philosopher Dr. Linda Zagzebski to campus for a talk!
Friday, September 02, 2011
Dr. Justin McBrayer's paper "Are Skeptical Theists Really Skeptical? Sometimes Yes, and Sometimes No," is forthcoming in the International Journal for Philosophy of Religion.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Dr. Justin McBrayer's paper "Skepticism about the Argument from Divine Hiddenness," is forthcoming in the journal Religious Studies.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Dr. Sarah Roberts-Cady is the 2010-11 recipient of the Alice Admire Outstanding Teacher Award. Way to go, Sarah!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
2/16/11: Dr. Justin McBrayer has been chosen from a worldwide pool of applicants as one of 15 participants in the Knowing in Religion and Morality workshop at Purdue University sponsored by the Templeton Foundation.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Dr. Sarah Roberts-Cady's paper “Conflict of Interest in Industry-Sponsored Clinical Research,” is forthcoming in the International Journal of Applied Philosophy.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Congratulations to Philosophy major Dylan Leigh on winning the campus-wide Common Reading Experience Essay Contest. Way to go, Dylan!
Monday, September 20, 2010
"Lessons in Morality at West Point," as reported by the BBC
Friday, August 27, 2010
Philosophy major's mid-career pay is higher than those majoring in Business, Biology, Pscyhology, English, Sociology, Journalism, Anthropology, Art, etc. (from Payscale.com)

2012-2013 Philosophy Club Schedule

Monday, September 3, 7:00-8:30, Senate Chambers: “Skeptical Religion,” Caleb Ontiveros, FLC Philosophy Major

Thursday, September 20, 3:00-5:00, Vallecito Room: “Defusing the Darwinian Dilemma: Adaptive Antirealism and Adequate Explanations,” Dr. Christina Van Dyke, Calvin College

Monday, October 8, 7:00-8:30, Senate Chambers: "On Pridelessness," Dr. Jeremy Fischer, University of Calgary

Thursday, October 18, 3:00-5:00, Vallecito Room: "The Meaning of Life," Dr. George Backen, Adams State College

Monday, October 29, 7:00-8:30, Senate Chambers: “Courage as an Environmental Virtue,” Dr. Rachel Fredericks, FLC Department of Philosophy

Monday, November 5, 7:00-8:30, Senate Chambers: FLC Ethics Bowl Scrimmage featuring four FLC philosophy students!  Audience members wanted!

Monday, December 3, 7:00-8:30, Senate Chambers: "Do We Justly Own What We Legally Have?" Dr. Justin McBrayer, FLC Department of Philosophy

Christmas Break!

Monday, January 14, 7:00-8:30, Senate Chambers: "The F-Word in Academia: Clearing Faith's Bad Rap," Mr. Nate Herbst, Connect Campus Ministry

Monday, January 28, 7:00-8:30, Senate Chambers: “Critical Reflections on John Rawls’ Theory of Justice,” Dr. Sarah Roberts-Cady, FLC Department of Philosophy

Monday, February 11, 7:00-8:30, Senate Chambers: "Reflections On Caring in the Academy," Dr. Bill Mangrum, FLC Religious Studies

Monday, February 18, 7:00, Noble Hall: "Living Deeper without God," Dr. Dugald Owen, FLC Department of Philosophy

Monday, February 25, 7:00-8:30, Senate Chambers: TBA, A Student-Led Discussion

Monday, March 18, 7:00-8:30, Senate Chambers: “Can a Life Be Redeemed?” Mr. Ed Cash, Durango High School

Monday, April 1, 7:00-8:30, Senate Chambers: "What Makes Something Possible? A Survey of the Metaphysics of Modality," FLC Philosophy students