Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
PHILOSOPHY CLUB
PHI
SIGMA
TAU,
MISSOURI
TAU
Student Organization and Honor Society
in Philosophy
The Philosophy Club is a student organization dedicated
to the promotion of philosophical discussion at Northwest. It also
serves as the local chapter of Phi Sigma Tau--a national honor society
having as its purpose the recognition of academic excellence in philosophical
study, and the promotion of interest in philosophy among the general collegiate
public. The honor society was founded in 1930 at Muhlenberg College. Since
that time it has grown to over 100 chapters nationwide. Among the activities
of the national society is the publication of the journal Dialogue.
(For more information on the national society, click here.) The
Northwest chapter of Phi Sigma Tau, Missouri Tau, was founded under the
sponsorship of James Eiswert, who also served as the chapter's first advisor.
Meetings of the Philosophy Club are held throughout the academic year.
Membership is open to all students who wish to be involved in the philosophical
community of Northwest. Over the years The Philosophy Club/Phi Sigma
Tau--Missouri Tau has sponsored numerous events of philosophical interest.
Among these are the following:
- The sponsorship in the fall of 1995 of the performance
at a Truman State University conference of "A God on Trial," a dramatic
exploration of the problem of evil originally written and performed by
the students of James Eiswert's Philosophy of Religion class in the spring
of 1995.
- A debate in the fall of 1998 on the issue
of the morality of abortion.
- A debate in the winter of 1999 on the question
of God's existence.
- A public discussion in the fall of 1999 on
the decision of the Kansas State Board of Education to drop evolutionary
theory from the required science curriculum, involving nine faculty members
from the sciences, philosophy, and history.
- A public discussion in the spring of 2001
of the role of religion in ethical thought and moral life. The discussion
panel included two local religious leaders.
- A debate in the fall of 2003 on the moral
and political justification of the invasion of Iraq, which involved four
faculty members.
- A presentation by Bart Vandenabeele from Ghent University
in the fall of 2005.
- A panel discussion on stem cell research in the fall of 2006.
- A panel discussion on technology and privacy in the fall of 2007.
- A debate on the historicity of the resurrection in the spring
of 2009.
- Panel discussion: Darwinian Evolution: Abuses and Misunderstandings,
spring 2009.
In addition to these sponsored events, Phi Sigma Tau--Missouri
Tau holds an initiation ceremony in the spring of each year, in conjunction
with Phi Alpha Theta, the honor society in history. A speaker in
philosophy or history offers a presentation at these ceremonies.
Membership of the Philosophy Club is open to any students
with an active interest in philosophy and philosophical discussion. Eligibility
for full membership in the national honor society is based on academic
history and merit. For further information, see the Letter of Invitation
to new members, or contact Richard Field, Faculty Advisor, by calling
562-1296 or sending an e-mail message to rfield@nwmissouri.edu.
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