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Philosophy

GUIDE TO FIELDS OF CONCENTRATION

The latest views are reflected in the courses of the Philosophy Department, but the departmental divisions and examinations do not reflect the changing "division of labor" in the field.

Value theory must be studied only as it applies to ethics, for example. Aside from that the department, which is a difficult one, is marked by a very strong staff.

C. L. Lewis one of the best living philosophers, gives Phill 130 on Kant and 152 on the Theory of Knowledge. His lectures are informal, well delivered, but occassionally repetitive. Both courses are fairly difficult, but freshmen should try to take them next year.

One of the most distinctive and dramatic persons in the department is Henry D. Aiken who is at this best in the elementary courses taken by non-concentrators. His biggest bugaboo is the lack of organization of his material as a whole.

In teaching logic, Williard Quine shows a good style, but he rarely makes an attempt to dramatize what is at best a dry study. All those who feel that attention to detail is beneath them should keep away from his courses.

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Auer gives Phil 185, an extremely easy discussion of the Philosophy of History, which will be of very little value to the concentrator by which appeals to out-siders looking for a fourth course.

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