Department of Philosophy Archives - LA&PS Newsroom

LA&PS’ Philosophy Program Shines in National and Global Rankings

Sanja Begic — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 14:57:56 +0000

91��ɫ has achieved significant progress in the field of philosophy, as revealed in the latest edition of the Philosophical Gourmet Report for the 2024-25 academic year. According to the report published by Leiter Reports in November 2024, 91��ɫ’s Ph.D. program in Philosophy, and its specializations in both cognitive science and the philosophy of law, have attained impressive rankings. The Ph.D. program has been distinguished as the fifth best philosophy Ph.D. program overall in Canada, underscoring its dedication to academic excellence and strength as a top Ph.D. program in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies. Moreover, in the specialty ranking of philosophy of cognitive science, 91��ɫ’s Ph.D. program has been ranked as the top program in Canada and is globally outranked by only seven others. This recognition emphasizes the university's commitment to nurturing intellectual growth and scholarly accomplishments in the field of philosophy.

“We are thrilled to see the hard work and dedication of our faculty and students reflected in these prestigious rankings,” explains Michael Giudice, Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy. “These rankings are a testament to the exceptional quality of education and research taking place at 91��ɫ. These rankings not only validate our ongoing commitment to academic excellence but also inspire us to continue pushing the boundaries of philosophical inquiry. We are proud to be part of a vibrant intellectual community that values critical thinking and rigorous scholarship, and we look forward to further advancing the field of philosophy at LA&PS.”

91��ɫ’s Ph.D. program also ranked very strongly in the specialty field of the philosophy of law, further solidifying the position of philosophy at LA&PS. In the philosophy of law 91��ɫ’s program is second only to one other program in Canada, and is tied for 15^th globally, rivalling top universities in the US, the UK, and Australia.

In the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject, philosophy ranked in the top 100 globally and tied for second place in Canada, highlighting the Faculty's commitment to excellence in philosophy education. The acknowledgment in both national and global rankings reaffirms 91��ɫ’s reputation as a leading institution in the realm of philosophy education. This news has generated excitement and pride within the academic community, showcasing LA&PS' continued dedication to excellence in philosophical research and education.

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LA&PS Philosophy department receives generous gift from former student to create new student prize��

Sanja Begic — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 21:29:25 +0000

The Philosophy department in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) has received a generous donation of $100,000 over the course of five years from  Benn Barrantes, a graduate of the Faculty’s undergraduate program in philosophy. This significant gift will establish the Barrantes Prizes in Philosophy, aimed at recognizing exceptional student essays that explore the intersection of philosophical thinking and social impact across a diverse range of topics.

Read the full story in YFile.��

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Two Philosophy Professors honoured at the 2024 91��ɫ Research Awards Celebration

Sanja Begic — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 18:44:46 +0000

Associate Professor Jacob Beck and Professor Kristen Andrews were honoured during the 2024 91��ɫ Research Awards Celebration.

The 91��ɫ Research Award Celebration honours 91��ɫ’s scholars across all faculties and schools for their remarkable achievements and contributions to creating positive change.

Read the full story

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Making Sense of Myth: Conversations with Luc Brisson

Sanja Begic — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 18:18:12 +0000

Gerard Naddaf, Professor Emeritus of 91��ɫ’s Department of Philosophy, has published a new book with McGill-Queen’s University Press that explores the importance of myths as creators of selfhood and group identity throughout history.

To most, myths are merely fantastic stories. But for Luc Brisson, one of the great living Plato scholars and prominent philosophers of his generation, myth is a key factor in what it means to be human – a condition of life for all. Essential and inescapable, myth offers a guide for living, one that illuminates our need for belonging and group identity.

In these free-flowing conversations, Brisson provides a lucid historical analysis of why the history of his native Quebec is inseparable from that of the Catholic Church in Quebec society, and the links he draws here provide a perfect paradigm of myth and mythmaking. Ultimately, Brisson seeks to explain how his work on myth corresponds with his own biographical path, which, as he shows in these conversations, was itself rooted in Catholic and Quebecois myth. But we soon see that his theory of myth and its practical application is relevant to all people, regardless of one’s particular background.

Brisson begins these conversations with an overview of his genealogy before turning to the story of his escape from an all-encompassing myth promulgated by the Roman Catholic Church of his youth. The myth(s) that made Brisson who he is are thus front and centre here. We learn of his recruitment by a Catholic seminary as a gifted (but handicapped) child from a modest rural Quebec family at age eleven, the emotional and intellectual awakening he subsequently underwent, and his own “noble lie,” which allowed him to get an education that he would not have otherwise received. There is something for everyone here, but the book offers first and foremost a philosophy of myth that doubles as a philosophy of life.

The earlier conversations originally recorded in French (with Louis-André Dorion) contain some of the most insightful ideas on the origin of bisexuality. There’s also ample coverage of Brisson’s Orphic research, and a rich discussion of why the big bang is still a myth on a par with Plato’s Timaeus. Brisson’s world travels, his decades living in Paris, and his deep immersion in Quebec culture and politics also occupy a prominent place here, but always in the background is Brisson’s attention to myth and, by extension, politics.

In later conversations (part 4), Brisson offers insightful observations on a wealth of topics, including what he sees as the illusory nature of originality; the constraints of the publish-or-perish phenomenon in academia; his experience working in teams; his and others’ interpretations of Plato; the differences between Greek and Abrahamic religions; the place of myth in the modern world; and his theory for why reason will always be tied to myth – to mention but a handful of the themes touched on here.

It’s the final section of part 4 that brings together the whole. Myth, as Brisson understands it, comprises stories that give us our identity; they offer us a way of unconsciously (until Plato, that is) controlling the individual within the community to which he or she belongs. As such, myths are creators of the self, of one’s identity. The notion of individuality is a kind of mirage, then; it’s as if there is no self independent of one’s larger group or community. For Brisson, myth is a phenomenon that few have given any real thought to, and yet it’s a key to understanding what it means to be human, and to the future destiny of humanity itself.

This book is meant to appeal to an intellectually curious English-reading public (and not just scholars and philosophers). To this end, the text is interspersed with over three hundred notes adding necessary context. Naddaf also provides an introduction and an afterword. The former puts Plato and myth into context, giving readers a sense of what to expect in the conversations; while in the latter, he describes the role of myth in anthropogeny (from the origins of language), in the evolution of the self and of consciousness (culminating in the creation of the Western mind), and in multiculturalism. However, while the book offers copious historical analysis, he also engages throughout with the role of myth in the current political and social climate, including its place in contemporary world events.

Gerard Naddaf is Professor Emeritus and Senior Scholar in the Department of Philosophy at 91��ɫ's Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. He is a specialist in ancient Greek philosophy, particularly of the origins of philosophy and science, the Presocratics, and Plato. His most recent work focuses on the role of myth (and consciousness) in the evolution of the self, as well as how inspiration influences human creativity. His work has been cited more than a thousand times by scholars in a range of fields and has garnered tens of thousands of views from readers in over 160 countries on online platforms like Academia.edu and Google Scholar. This is exactly the type of broad audience that his latest book, (McGill-Queen's University Press),is directed at.

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Welcome to the LA&PS Newsroom

Alice — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 19:04:51 +0000

Share in our pride as we showcase the headline-making work our faculty and students are undertaking to tackle the big issues of today – and beyond. Get the latest on our world-changing research, dynamic events and academic excellence.