Alfred University’s philosophy student numbers continue to grow

Alfred University's philosophy program, Division of Human Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been cited in the philosophical website The Daily Nous as one of the fastest growing philosophy programs, if not the fastest, in the United States.

From its enrollment of four students in 2022, the program has grown to an enrollment of 31 in the current academic year, according to Daily Nous and data provided by Alfred University Assistant Professor of Philosophy Paul Butterfield.

"We reckon that makes us the fastest-growing philosophy program in the whole of North America," Butterfield says.

Daily Nous ("Nous" is an ancient Greek philosophical term dating back to Aristotle and pre-Socratic thinkers) cites a number of innovative steps taken by the Human Studies Division and the philosophy program that are responsible for popularizing the study of philosophy. Among them:

• A student-centered approach to course offerings. Philosophy faculty have consulted with students regarding the topics in philosophy they would prefer to study. These consultations have led to courses on feminist thought and the philosophy of sports and music.
• Development of a social network of philosophy students and faculty. The division regularly hosts end-of-semester dinners for students and picnics at Foster Lake. "This has helped to reinforce the idea that students are surrounded by potential friends, as opposed to merely fellow students who happen to be in the same classrooms as them," Butterfield says.
• Increasing the visibility of philosophy faculty on the campus. Butterfield and former Professor of Philosophy Emrys Westacott became regular hosts of the university's Writing Center's trivia contest at Herrick Library. Additionally, current Assistant Professor of Philosophy Rachel Silverbloom is in the process of starting a Philosophy Film Club that hosts trips to local movie theaters.
• Social media. Silverbloom and Butterfield have begun posting funny philosophy-themed videos on Youtube and Instagram. Check out this video in which the 18^th century Scottish philosopher David Hume, looking a lot like Butterfield, is interviewed on the nature of "taste" in the evaluation of art.

"The success of our program is down to everyone," Butterfield says, "because everyone who takes a philosophy class is contributing to the thought-provoking discussions and friendly atmosphere that our program is becoming known for. I'm tremendously grateful to all our philosophy majors and minors, who have built a thriving community with us - and,on a personal note, who have made my job fantastically rewarding since I arrived at Alfred."