Philosophy & Religious Studies
Throughout the ages, human beings have wondered about their place in the cosmos and its history. Today, in addition to their practical activities, people still speculate on the origin, purpose and meaning of life.
Answers to these and associated questions do not come easily. Yet one cannot claim to have had a well-rounded education without at least making the attempt to answer them. In fact, the responses we give ultimately shape the lives we live. If we fail to think about such questions, we miss the opportunity to enrich our understanding of ourselves and the world. We also risk forfeiting a responsibility which is rightfully our own by putting our lives uncritically into the hands of others.
Although the subjects treated by Philosophy and Religious Studies overlap in many ways, there are distinct differences between the two disciplines. Some topics, such as the existence of God and the meaning of human freedom, are areas of common concern; other topics, such as the nature of human knowledge and language, are more specifically philosophical; still others, such as the study of sacred rituals or sacred literature, belong more properly to Religious Studies. A further difference lies in their approaches to ultimate questions: Philosophy develops answers by reflecting upon our common experience; Religious Studies takes more account of how people have responded to religious experience and to claims of divine revelation.
At King’s the Philosophy program is designed to introduce you to the perennial philosophical questions as well as to leading philosophical thinkers. Although the professors share many common ideas, no one specific philosophical orientation is taken in the overall program. Much of the Religious Studies program is concerned with the Christian religious heritage and the relationship of Christianity, especially Roman Catholicism, to contemporary culture. The program also provides opportunities for students to explore other religious traditions.
Philosophical inquiry into the nature of the human person, freedom, and ethics can help clarify the thinking of those who contemplate a career in law, social work or medicine. Similarly, a deeper understanding of the Christian vision, or of other religious traditions, can help you to form your own outlook on social, legal and ethical problems and help you to understand better those among whom you live and work.
The department offers a variety of Philosophy, Religious Studies and Catholic Studies modules (major, minor, specialization and honours specialization) which fit within the three-year and four-year Bachelors degree programs offered at the University of Western Ontario. Our Catholic Studies modules offer an excellent preparation for those heading to the Faculty of Education with the intention of using Religion as one of their teaching subjects.
For further information, please contact the Department Chair, Steve Lofts at ext 4517 or via email at slofts@uwo.ca.
