Interview with Sam Lilly ’19

In recent years, the Department of Philosophy has interviewed alumni and graduating seniors about their experiences as philosophy majors, how philosophy has prepared them for post-graduation, and what advice they have for current students (you can find some of those interviews here.) In this interview, Samantha Lilly ’19 speaks about how they decided to become a philosophy major, their favorite classes, how philosophy affected their day to day life, and more. Sam is currently pursuing research in Argentina with the support of a Fulbright Research Fellowship they received for the project “Rights Based Approaches to Mental Health and Wellness” (you can read more about the project here.) Before going to Argentina, upon graduating from Puget Sound in 2019 with a major in Philosophy and a minor in Bioethics, Sam received a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship for the project “Understanding Suicidality Across Cultures,” which took them to the Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Nepal (you can read about that project and how it connected to Sam’s studies here.)

What are you doing now? How did you get there?

Currently I am living in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I am here with the financial support of a Fulbright Research grant.

I arrived on March 10, 2022.

The story of how I “got” to Argentina is long and complicated, mostly fueled by the volatility of the pandemic.

I had the opportunity to apply for a Fulbright during the summer of 2020—if not for the pandemic, I would have never considered applying as I was in the middle of a different fellowship, the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. Indeed, in early-March of 2020, I was living in Denpasar, Indonesia seeking understanding of grassroots organizing and support for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia/psychosis. Only three months prior was I first living in Buenos Aires, doing more or less exactly what I am doing now, albeit on a much smaller scale.

However, I can say this with relative confidence. I wouldn’t have been awarded these ‘prestigious’ fellowships if it were not for my pursuance of a degree in philosophy.

Growing up in a low-SES, I felt initially that studying philosophy was a death sentence. And, I don’t think that that’s all that cynical, academia is challenging and our world doesn’t value the skills that studying philosophy teaches… however, if I hadn’t trusted my gut and changed majors mid-way through my Junior year, I wouldn’t be living the life I am—studying and doing philosophy was ultimately what felt most authentic to me.

And, I refuse to believe that, that sense of authenticity I felt when I would go to philosophy classes wasn’t an indication of what I ought to have been doing and studying.

In other words, in hindsight, I got here because younger Sam did what they felt was best for themselves and studying philosophy was what was best for me.

Sam Lilly ’19

How did you get interested in Philosophy in the first place?

I initially became interested in philosophy in high school. The high school I attended in Utah had the best debate program in the State. And, when I joined, I knew that I didn’t want to rely on a partner, so I chose to do Lincoln-Douglas debate—which is really just applied moral philosophy.

When I got to UPS, I was part of the Honors Program and for whatever reason, my freshman year the Honors cohort were the very last to register for our classes and other classes for my then major, psychology, were full. So, I took Moral Philosophy with Professor Tubert…I felt it wouldn’t be too challenging and one thing led to another, and I started taking more and more classes as electives and was lucky enough to have taken enough random classes here and there to, when the time came, switch my major fairly easily.

Was there any area of Philosophy that interested you the most?

Moral philosophy, without a doubt. But, also, I really, really loved epistemology.

Do you remember your favorite philosophy class as a student?

This question sucks a little bit. For whatever reason, the first thing that comes to mind when I think of my favorite class is the class that challenged me the most: Metaethics. What a rewarding but complicated class.

As for my favorites, I don’t know if I can discern a favorite.

Of course, I really loved the classes I took with Ariela. In particular, I am grateful for Latin American philosophy—it was a small window into the world I have grown to really admire and love. And, also the questions we asked in that class are questions I return to almost every day here in Argentina.

However, epistemology with Justin was really wonderful. I enjoyed deeply thinking how he inspired and encouraged us to think… I carry with me every day the demeanor of epistemic humility we talked about so frequently in that class. I think of all the classes, this class really changed me the most as a thinker. I really value the ideal or “virtue” of “owning one’s limitations.”

But, then I cannot speak enough to how deeply meaningful my time was in Philosophy of Emotions with Sara. Nor can I really comprehend how my capstone with Sam really allowed me to delve into what I do currently.

And, honestly, I really really loved 19^th Century philosophy. Something about Hegel. I don’t know what it was. But, I loved it.

Why did you ultimately decide to become a Philosophy major?

When the psychology department told me that the questions I was asking re: suicide and suicidality were perhaps better fit in philosophy than psychology.

I also really leaned into philosophy when I began to realize the limitations of the “psi” disciplines. Why was I suffering through applied statistics when I didn’t believe that those tools of measurement were meaningful or valid?

I wanted to understand the human condition. I wanted to understand what drives us to suicide. What brings us to tears and to our knees. And I was told my entire life that to understand sadness and pain and joy and love one should study psychology. But I realized that these questions, at least to me, are better asked and ‘answered’ in philosophy.

It feels more human and less pathologizing. I digress. I decided to become a philosophy major when my moral compass told me it was more ethical to do philosophy than do the other things, I had initially intended on doing when I arrived at UPS.

Along with Philosophy, did you major or minor in any other subject? Has it worked well with Philosophy?

I also studied bioethics and I think I was like one or two classes away from a psychology major. I was also in the Honors Program.

Of course, philosophy and bioethics coalesced incredibly well together. I got to take all that I was learning in my philosophy classes and then apply them to tricky cases we would consider in bioethics. However, I will say that I am far less of a bioethicist than I am a philosopher (if I can call myself that).

In other words, I feel I use far less what I learned in bioethics courses now than I what I learned in my “general” philosophy courses. I don’t care about case-by-case bedside decision making very much anymore, I, instead, care about the systems, cultures, beliefs, and zeitgeists that contextualize and house those very same hospital beds.

How did your parents or strangers react when you first told them you were a Philosophy major?

Oh. The strangers? They laughed. They still do. I crack jokes about it because of the student debt I have for a philosophy degree. But, it seems to have worked out pretty well, no?

My mom was a bit concerned. She asked me what I would do with a philosophy degree. And, now, sometimes, randomly, I’ll text her and let her know this is what I can do with a philosophy degree—just the other day, when I was meeting with the Ambassador to Argentina, I texted her and said “Look what I am doing now with my philosophy degree.”

That is, traveling the world and exploring different cultural perspectives on mental health care and human rights.

Any particular memory you have as a Philosophy major at UPS that stands out?

The memories they come and go.

But, I remember how good it felt to walk in to Ariela’s office and tell her that I was awarded the Watson. I think Ariela really believed in me and her mentorship was invaluable to my growth as a thinker and writer and person and so to share that with her, it was really special to me.

I also remember a mannerism of Justin’s that I do now when I am sharing or speaking about something—whenever I do it, I am taken immediately back to the philosophy classroom.

Justin, when he asked us questions, would put his pointer finger to his temple and inquire and wonder, with an influx in his voice, about something.

“Ah.” He would say. “And was it then a justified true belief?”

Or “Ah.” As he raises his hand up to his head: “Does the man in the box actually know Chinese?”

I don’t know I remember this vividly and it makes me smile when I find myself doing it.

How would you say the Philosophy major helped you with your career, relationships with people, and generally your outlook on life?

Being a philosophy major was arguably the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. I think I said this when I was interviewed about the Watson awhile back majoring in philosophy is, in effect, a major in oneself.

You learn your own outlooks and beliefs and you get to better your thoughts and how you think. I mean, I feel if you do a philosophy major the right away you become a more compassionate, humane, and critical person.

And I think that, that’s dissimilar from most other majors because in other majors you’ll learn these facts that aren’t facts and you’ll practice these imperfect methodologies and ideas and then you’ll have to regurgitate them on an exam or in a lab. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll use these facts and methodologies to create new knowledge and new imperfect facts and methodologies.

But, in philosophy, especially at UPS, you read dead and not-dead people and then you think about it and then you write about it and before you know it you incorporate it, or you don’t incorporate it, into your own ideals and beliefs—but it is never considered perfect nor complete, it is always re-considered. And, I think it is this underlying value of philosophy that keeps me entertained and engaged in my day-to-day life—it’s always about continuous improvement, it’s always re-imagining and understanding from different perspectives and viewpoints.

Also, for the record Philosophy of Emotions has helped me immensely in understanding and extending compassion to others when they’re angry, upset, envious, or jealous. 

And, I mean, lastly, I think that a lot of folks struggle to understand how to make an argument for something. And, like I definitely can do that now.

Any advice for current Philosophy students?

If you can, find a question you’re really curious about, and just continue asking that question in every class you take. For me it was: why do we keep people from killing themselves? And, it’s this question that has propelled me into the life I have today. The question can be anything, but, let it be uniquely yours and don’t let others tell you that it’s been answered already.

Sam Lilly ’19 with other philosophy majors at graduation

Philosophy Majors in Consulting

As some data on our graduates shows, Puget Sound philosophy majors go on to succeed in a variety of fields, with alumni pursuing careers in philosophy, education, law, or technology. Regardless of career choice, they find value in the skills and perspective they developed during their time studying philosophy at Puget Sound. Another career path that philosophy majors succeed in is consulting. We have had a number of majors pursue careers in consulting over the years and the value of philosophical training for business has been discussed in some prominent venues (see, for example here and here.) More recently and closer to home, rGen, a business consulting firm based in the Seattle area, has been hiring some of our very talented recent philosophy graduates, including Liam Grantham ’20, Brian Kim ’21, and August Malueg ‘20.

Ray Rasmussen, Founder and Managing Principal at rGen, told us about the work they do and why they are interested in hiring philosophy graduates from Puget Sound:

We work with some of the largest and most leading-edge technology companies to help them drive and achieve business results. These companies are fast-paced and demand world-class quality. All the time. So, the work we do is hard.

Puget Sound takes a rigorous approach to a college education emphasizing the importance of ethics and personal responsibility, students are challenged to be their best in intellectual and personal pursuits. This is especially true for philosophy students at Puget Sound. Students are immersed in intellectual, philosophical, and ethical ideas from great thinkers from around the globe and across time. The pursuit of diverse ideas, diverse ways of seeing issues, and diverse ways looking for truth requires a nimble mind, an openness to understanding, and a disciplined approach to analysis. Successful Puget Sound philosophy grads have had to stretch their minds and imaginations to understand the world’s most powerful philosophical ideas.

Our Consulting Master Class spans eight weeks and provides new college graduates with the context, industry understanding, and practical skills needed to be a world-class consultant. The rGen Consulting Master Class is hard, but we find Puget Sound philosophy grads are up to the challenge.

The results are impressive, philosophy grads are not afraid of hard topics, of complexity, nor of nuance. They are ideally suited to understand the most important business issues our clients face and ready to work as a team to find great ideas. And then, bring those ideas to life.

Liam Grantham ’20

Speaking about the ability to face challenges, Liam Grantham ’20 highlighted how his experiences studying philosophy helped to develop a positive attitude vis-à-vis challenge which he brings to his work:

What has helped me immensely in my new role, is the ability to take on any problem. I took Metaethics (with Ariela Tubert) freshman year without really knowing what meta meant, let alone what the study of ethics entailed. I knew how out of my depths I was and it was difficult being so far behind everyone else. But you learn as you go and eventually things start to snap into place. My first project felt a lot like that. I had little to no background in tech or business, but I knew that I had the ability to learn. And now I can confidently lead meetings with my clients, knowing that I am adding value to the conversation. I guess if I were to sum it up: Not knowing doesn’t scare me anymore.

August Malueg ’20

Focusing on the work he does and the skills he developed through the study of philosophy, August Malueg ’20 said,

In consulting, my day-to-day activities are defined by the project in which I’ve been placed and the client with whom I am working. Typical projects span a couple of months, and as such, consultants frequently encounter new subjects and areas of expertise outside of their current knowledge. The ability to quickly analyze new concepts to attain a basic understanding is essential to constantly changing clients, projects, and modes of work. 

The fundamentals of philosophical thought – analytical paradigms, knowledge-making, logical consistency – are ubiquitous in the worlds of business and technology, and those able to apply these notions are a step ahead when faced with wide-ranging and challenging new concepts. Understanding and communication between individuals drives results and builds cooperation and fellowship. Those who can communicate their ideas with precision and work through disagreement are better off because of it. More broadly speaking, the world is made up of ideas – Philosophy helps students peek behind the blinds.

Brain Kim ’21

Brian Kim ’21, discussed how the practice in critical and analytic thinking that he got as part of his studies in philosophy are helpful in his consulting work at rGen,

An important part of my work deals with identifying the different components to a problem, visualize which components are limiting factors, and then to clearly communicate my analysis to someone. Taking a problem with many components and rephrasing it in more accessible terms without losing any valuable information is a skill I wouldn’t have enriched without philosophy.

I’m currently building an interactive report that requires some coding and data modeling. Though I was never the best at formal logic, I always think about how helpful that experience was for this assignment. Knowing some logic has made learning this coding language considerably easier. Coming into this assignment with my formal logic background has allowed me to make much more progress than I ever would have without it.

Liam, Brian, and August conferring with the team before an ethics bowl presentation in 2018

Brian also spoke about how his studies in philosophy led him to appreciate the importance of empathy in relating to others and the breath of outlook that comes from studying philosophy:

I often think about the topics I learned in Sara Protasi’s Philosophy of Emotions course and my summer research project that was inspired from it. My main takeaway from those experiences is that the emotions people feel reflects their beliefs about a given circumstance. While their beliefs may not be necessarily correct, or even rational, their emotions are a manifested form of their beliefs. This insight is actualized in practice through empathy. I believe that the quality of my relationships has improved considerably when I stopped emphasizing only what someone was saying and started caring more about how they are saying it. I used to aspire to be someone who spoke from their mind, but philosophy reoriented my goals to want to be someone who speaks and listens from the heart.

My time as a philosophy major taught me not to take my beliefs so seriously. The constant engagement in hypotheticals helped me realize that many things I believe in are probably wrong! Letting go of the seriousness of my beliefs and instead being more agnostic has helped me be more open-minded and become a better conversationalist.

On a related note, Liam spoke about the importance of trying to engage with and understand the perspective of others:

My favorite part about philosophy was always the dialectic, and what I took away from my conversations was the importance of listening first, and responding charitably. My first real pitch meeting was somewhat of a surprise for me. We had prepared some talking points for me to go through, but I was playing more of a supporting role until our client pivoted the meeting to talk predominately to me. My ability to listen and respond allowed me to make clear statements and ask good questions. We ended up getting the contract. While I know the expertise of my colleagues was the driving force in winning that contract, my background in Philosophy enabled me to connect with our client and instill confidence that their point of view would be heard and taken seriously.

Reflecting on a specific situation when he put the skills he gained through his philosophical studies to use, August said:

When my boss asked me, “Who wrote The Metaphysics of Morals?” Just kidding. I think that one area that illustrates the skills I gained through my studies in philosophy is building business presentations. Just as in a philosophical essay, it is essential for presentations to uphold logical consistency, especially when concerned with execution and the delivery of real-world results. Philosophy has taught me not only how to parse out an argument (or presentation) into main ideas and supporting elements, but also how to take a step back and see how everything fits together.

While August compared preparing presentations to writing a philosophical essay, Brian compared writing philosophy to other aspects of his work:

My philosophy studies have shaped my thinking to be highly critical of assumptions, able to identify potential objections, and to be flexible (or rigid!) with language. These skills help me see both the micro and macro-level details in a project and allow me to smoothly navigate my role. I’m currently helping build a year-long plan comprised of multiple initiatives and even more workstreams within those initiatives. I have to be able to see the big picture to line up the different initiatives to their respective outcomes and identify potential risks to the plan, which often reminds me of structuring a philosophy paper! It’s not too different from putting together multiple lines of an argument to drive my thesis and to identify potential objections. The topics I work on now obviously differ from the writing I did in college, but the skills I learned from structuring philosophical arguments are ones I utilize often.

Liam and August with other members of the ethics bowl team in 2019

August, Brian, and Liam were all part of the ethics bowl team at Puget Sound. As part of the team, they got practice in researching, discussing, and working together to build unified team recommendations on various complex ethical dilemmas. Ethics bowl is one of the experiential learning opportunities offered to students in the department and the work the students did on the team fits with the team-oriented nature of their work at rGen. Ray explained their approach to supporting their employees and encouraging collaboration:

We match each new consultant with a mentor that provides advice and guidance on how to manage consulting challenges, succeed with new tools, and work in a dynamic teaming environment.

For all team members at all levels, each day begins with a team scrum with team members discussing the objectives of the day, areas on which they may need help, and areas on which they may be helpful to others.

Professor Ariela Tubert, chair of the philosophy department, said she was excited about this new opportunity for Puget Sound philosophy students

We appreciate rGen’s values-based approach, focus on developing long term relationships, and their strategy of investing in training recent philosophy graduates. Our philosophy majors are awesome and it’s great to see the skills they developed throughout their studies valued in a field as competitive as consulting.

Speaking about the work they do in philosophy courses, Prof. Tubert said:

Throughout their time at Puget Sound, our students develop as thinkers and communicators, they become comfortable with intellectual challenge, and with working in groups where they have to engage with alternative points of view. In addition, they have practice with the nuance and complexity that comes with trying to balance different sorts of values or considerations and envisioning alternative possibilities. Our philosophy graduates tend to be the sort of creative thinkers that can think outside the box and are used to being part of a collaborative environment – whether it is in group projects or activities such as organizing a philosophy conference or being part of the ethics bowl team, they are used to collaborating and supporting each other.

Brian at graduation with other philosophy graduates in May 2021

Margaret Snape, Management and Operations Practice Leader at rGen, spoke about the value she sees in the skills and experience that our students bring with them:

It has been a pleasure working with the team from Puget Sound’s philosophy department. Their background in philosophy helps them to think through complex business problems, quickly identify where our clients need help, and offer tailored solutions to our clients. Additionally, their training creates a perspective and drives rigor that is difficult to find in other candidates. As a leader of the business, I am grateful for their eagerness to learn and their teamwork. I look forward to adding Puget Sound philosophers to our team.

Speaking about Puget Sound’s program in philosophy from his experience hiring recent graduates, Ray Rasmussen said,

It is a great place to learn all about big ideas, ethical behavior, breakthrough problem-solving, and teamwork. For us that makes Puget Sound philosophy grads an ideal place to find strong candidates that are great fit for our business consulting firm.

Discussing how the study of the humanities, and philosophy in particular, can be practical in connection to his work in consulting, Liam said:

There is a sentiment, though it is certainly dying, that degrees like Philosophy or History or English close off or limit career paths. I’ve found exactly the opposite. I can do anything because I have a background in thinking about everything, not just doing one thing.

Interview with Colleen Hanson ’19

In recent years, the Department of Philosophy has interviewed alumni and graduating seniors about their experiences as philosophy majors, how philosophy has prepared them for post-graduation, and what advice they have for current students (you can find some of those interviews here and here.)  In this interview, conducted by Brian Kim ’21, Colleen Hanson ’19 speaks about how she decided to become a philosophy major and her experience sharing the news, how the study of philosophy has affected her day to day life, her favorite memories and favorite philosophy classes, how her work in philosophy interacted with her Bioethics Emphasis, and advice for current students on how to approach their studies and select paper topics. Colleen is currently pursuing her PhD in Philosophy at UCLA, you can read an interview with her at the UCLA Philosophy website here. You can read about her summer research project here and about her participation in ethics bowl here.

Senior Interviews — Grace Osborne-Neukirc ’21

In recent years, the Department of Philosophy has interviewed alumni and graduating seniors about their experiences as philosophy majors, how philosophy has prepared them for post-graduation, and what advice they have for current students (you can find some of those interviews here and here.) This year in an effort to recognize our graduating seniors in the midst of the pandemic, we are expanding the number of senior interviews. In this video interview, Grace Osborne-Neukirc ’21 tells us about first getting interested in philosophy, favorite courses, how philosophical education can contribute to scientific practice, and more. Grace is graduating with majors in Philosophy and Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience.

Senior Interviews — Ben Sovocool ’21

In recent years, the Department of Philosophy has interviewed alumni and graduating seniors about their experiences as philosophy majors, how philosophy has prepared them for post-graduation, and what advice they have for current students (you can find some of those interviews here and here.) This year in an effort to recognize our graduating seniors in the midst of the pandemic, we are expanding the number of senior interviews. For this post, we interviewed Ben Sovocool ’21. Graduating with majors in Economics and Philosophy, Ben is planning to attend Cornell law school in the fall.

How did you get interested in philosophy in the first place?

My interest in philosophy was first really sparked through high school English, funnily enough.  In fact, I think it was Shakespeare, probably Hamlet.  Once you start to really dig into it (though with Hamlet you don’t have to dig very hard) these really interesting questions start to come up. Live versus death, meaning, our moral obligations and so on. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote was also an influence. How do we understand and confront evil? I tried reading some philosophy in high school, which largely went nowhere. It felt like a challenge, though, and it was immediately appealing to have this great intellectual puzzle. I didn’t have any high school philosophy classes, which I am pretty thankful for in all honesty.  I took PHIL 101 my first semester and from there I was off.

Is there an area of philosophy that interests you the most?

My primary interests are metaphysics, moral philosophy, and metaethics. Of the three, my real favorite is metaphysics.

What about this area is interesting to you?

The foundation of philosophy is the instinctive human practice of asking questions which are very hard to answer. I think that metaphysics is a category of philosophy which approaches some of our most difficult and most important questions regarding the nature of life and the world around us. Moreover, the way we answer these metaphysical questions has a distinct impact on the way we perceive the world around us all the time.

Has your study of philosophy informed your day to day life or how you make decisions?

It’s difficult to identify the ways that the study of philosophy has directly influenced my life or decision-making in the sense of pointing to a few scenarios or choices. I do feel that studying philosophy has had a profound impact on the way I think systematically, though the change has been in bits over time. So to answer your question, yes to both, but more in the sense of providing a way to think than a set of information to apply.

What was your favorite philosophy class?

It’s very hard to choose just one. It might be 17th and 18th Century Philosophy, which is a really fascinating course. The burst of intellectual developments in those two centuries was really staggering, producing a great number of philosophers whose works are still very relevant now.

How has your other major shaped your philosophical studies and vice versa?

Studying philosophy has had a huge impact on my study of economics. Economics was, in its early stages, essentially a branch of philosophy. Certainly in Plato and Aristotle we see discussions of economy, and Smith, Mill, and Marx were self-admittedly philosophical. They thought this because economics is concerned with a number of philosophical questions, and the answers we choose dictate a great deal of the economic program. These hidden normative components, once you are able to see and understand them, really influence how you view all economics (orthodox and heterodox). I also feel that understanding philosophy, especially epistemology, is useful for all sciences (or pseudosciences).

Studying economics was useful in studying philosophy because economics tends to encourage a particularly analytical method of thinking. This x causes y, which acts on z in so and so way. I think that method of thinking is useful both for breaking down arguments in philosophy and for maintaining a level of focus and coherence in my own writing, which was a problem for me in the past.

When and why did you ultimately decide to become a philosophy major?

I entered college wanting to be a philosophy major. My advising class was in economics, which I also really enjoyed, and so for a while I was torn. I never really made up my mind, so I decided to double major at the start of sophomore year and never regretted it.

How did your parents and strangers react when you told them you were a philosophy major?

My parents were very supportive. The economics major I’m sure allayed their concerns somewhat. I got the question about what I would do for a job for a while, although recently I haven’t very much.

Do you have a particular memory as a philosophy major at Puget Sound that stands out to you?

Not one in particular, but I remember a number of real writing sessions which will stick with me for a while. Locking myself in the study closet on the third floor of Schiff to write a paper freshman year, or downstairs in the library in the stacks junior year. Hours and hours of Satie and Debussy. I remember all of it very fondly.

Do you have any advice for current philosophy students?

You will find yourself at times unable to understand what you are reading, or translate it into your own words on paper. Try and break it down into smaller, understandable pieces, and then reassemble the argument in parts until you understand the whole thing. With enough time, all arguments are understandable. Ask questions if you have them, because usually someone else is wondering the exact same thing. Introductions in primary sources often greatly aid in understanding. However, you need to always read the primary source. Summaries online will give you a partial understanding at best, and a misinterpretation at worst.  Don’t be afraid of classic philosophy; understanding the big names will give you the context a lot of later authors assume. Find a good study space and use it.

Any final thoughts?

As a philosophy student, one good trick is to lean on a quotation to say precisely what you struggle to express. It’s appropriate, then, to close out with a quote on the value of philosophy. In De Officiis, Cicero wrote the following: “if the man lives who would belittle the study of philosophy, I quite fail to see what in the world he would see fit to praise. For if we are looking for mental enjoyment and relaxation, what pleasure can be compared with the pursuits of those who are always studying out something that will tend toward and effectively promote a good and happy life? Or, if regard is had for strength of character and virtue, then this is the method by which we can attain to those qualities, or there is none at all. And to say that there is no “method” for securing the highest blessings, when none even of the least important concerns is without its method, is the language of people who talk without due reflection and who blunder in matters of the utmost importance. Furthermore, if there is really a way to learn virtue, where shall one look for it, when one has turned aside from this field of learning?” (Book II Part 6)

Senior Interviews — Guillermo Ruiz ’21

In recent years, the Department of Philosophy has interviewed alumni and graduating seniors about their experiences as philosophy majors, how philosophy has prepared them for post-graduation, and what advice they have for current students (you can find some of those interviews here and here.) This year in an effort to recognize our graduating seniors in the midst of the pandemic, we are expanding the number of senior interviews. In this post, Guillermo Ruiz ’21 notes his appreciation for philosophical discussions with other students and says that majoring in philosophy is like ‘majoring in life’ given that ‘you are constantly problem-solving’. In addition, he speaks about what he likes about philosophy, his favorite class, how philosophy helps him approach challenging situations, his advice for students considering philosophy, and more.

Senior Interviews — Roan Furmanski ’21

In recent years, the Department of Philosophy has interviewed alumni and graduating seniors about their experiences as philosophy majors, how philosophy has prepared them for post-graduation, and what advice they have for current students (you can find some of those interviews here and here.) This year in an effort to recognize our graduating seniors in the midst of the pandemic, we are expanding the number of senior interviews. For this post, Guillermo Ruiz ’21 interviewed philosophy major Roan Furmanski ’21. In the video interview, Roan speaks about his experience becoming a philosophy major, his favorite philosophy classes, Marcos Aurelius, Nietzsche, his advice for students, and more.

Senior Interviews — Quinn Bohner ’21

In recent years, the Department of Philosophy has interviewed alumni and graduating seniors about their experiences as philosophy majors, how philosophy has prepared them for post-graduation, and what advice they have for current students (you can find some of those interviews here and here.) This year in an effort to recognize our graduating seniors in the midst of the pandemic, we are expanding the number of senior interviews. For this post, we interviewed Quinn Bohner ’21. Graduating with a major in Philosophy and the Interdisciplinary Humanities Emphasis: The Artist As Humanist, Quinn is currently in the training period for a behavioral technician position, helping to provide autism therapy services.

How did you get interested in philosophy in the first place?

I took a course in political philosophy at my local community college.

Is there an area of philosophy that interests you the most?

It’s hard to pick just one.

What about this area is interesting to you?

Systematic critical thinking is satisfying to practice in almost any domain, and the insights it generates in my fields of interest like art, phenomenology, and politics are especially interesting for me.

Has your study of philosophy informed your day to day life or how you make decisions?

Yes.

What was your favorite philosophy class?

Probably the course offered on Aristotle by Prof. Beardsley, because it challenged me to analyze philosophical writing with an explicit eye for presenting it to others, not just enjoying it myself.

When and why did you ultimately decide to become a philosophy major?

After taking the first community college class. I enjoyed studying it on my own, and came to the conclusion I could not go as far as I wanted to alone, when I tried and failed to read through the Phenomenology of Spirit without outside help.

How did your parents and strangers react when you told them you were a philosophy major?

My parents didn’t really care, reactions from others have ranged from amusement to praise.

Do you have any advice for current philosophy students?

If you want to learn something specific, a commentary is probably cheaper than tuition.

Any final thoughts?

No.

Senior Interviews — Erland Cain ’21

In recent years, the Department of Philosophy has interviewed alumni and graduating seniors about their experiences as philosophy majors, how philosophy has prepared them for post-graduation, and what advice they have for current students (you can find some of those interviews here and here.) This year in an effort to recognize our graduating seniors in the midst of the pandemic, we are expanding the number of senior interviews. For this post, we interviewed Erland Cain ’21. Graduating with a major in Philosophy and a minor in African American Studies, Erland is currently applying to graduate programs in Library and Information Science.

How did you get interested in philosophy in the first place?

Reading Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder in High School was probably what got me seriously interested. The work is an exciting union between philosophical history and fiction, and it introduced me to the wide range of philosophical movements and figures.

Is there an area of philosophy that interests you the most?

I generally enjoy reading Scottish Common-Sense Philosophy, especially Thomas Reid’s critiques of the metaphysical systems of Early Modern philosophy. Recently, I have been interested in Arthur Schopenhauer’s essays.

What about this area is interesting to you?

Schopenhauer comes across to some as a contemptuous misanthrope, but he has sensitive qualities. I find his theory of humor convincing; I find his reflections on suffering compelling; and I find his compassion for animals righteous.

Has your study of philosophy informed your day to day life or how you make decisions?

I would hope that the critical thinking skills that I have developed will help me to engage more thoughtfully in civic responsibilities.

What was your favorite philosophy class?

Three-way tie between Ancient Greek philosophy, 19th Century philosophy, and the Philosophy of Science.

How has your minor shaped your philosophical studies and vice versa?

My African American studies courses have helped me to reflect critically on the history of philosophy. My AFAM courses left me eager to seek out philosophy from outside the Western canon and to acknowledge the extent to which this canon was influenced by non-Western thought.
By taking Social and Political Philosophy, I had the chance to familiarize myself with theories that I would later encounter in AFAM courses.

When and why did you ultimately decide to become a philosophy major?

In my first year. I never seriously considered studying anything else. I knew that if I ever changed my mind, the knowledge and inspiration that I would develop in philosophy would be applicable to a wide range of disciplines.

How did your parents and strangers react when you told them you were a philosophy major?

My parents are always supportive. I rarely tell strangers because I mostly know what their opinion is – and I do not want to hear it anymore.

Do you have a particular memory as a philosophy major at Puget Sound that stands out to you?

I distinctly remember purchasing my books during my first year. I was delighted to know that I would be reading many primary sources, rather than bloated textbooks.

Do you have any advice for current philosophy students?

I would advise any student to become familiar with the library’s online resources. When it comes to research projects especially, I have found that being able to explore a range of academic sources is a valuable skill.

Any final thoughts?

I am grateful for the talented philosophy faculty at UPS. I only wish that I could have taken more classes with them!​

Senior interviews — Ellinor Tibbs ’21

In recent years, the Department of Philosophy has interviewed alumni and graduating seniors about their experiences as philosophy majors, how philosophy has prepared them for post-graduation, and what advice they have for current students (you can find some of those interviews  here and here.) This year in an effort to recognize our graduating seniors in the midst of the pandemic, we are expanding the number of senior interviews. For this post, Guillermo Ruiz ’21 interviewed Ellinor Tibbs ’21. Graduating with majors in Philosophy and Anthropology, Ellinor plans to attend the master’s program in philosophy at Western Michigan University in the fall, where in addition to her graduate studies, she will serve as a teaching assistant for undergraduate courses.

How did you get interested in philosophy in the first place?

During my junior year of high school, my AP Lang teacher taught my class about the allegory of the cave which I found really interesting. She also taught us to question everything including her, our school system, and the curriculum we were learning which helped to start my philosophical thinking.

Is there an area of philosophy that interests you the most?

Moral philosophy and ethics interest me the most, especially when it comes to bioethics and trying to actually apply these ethical theories to everyday life.

What about this area is interesting to you?

I think the aspect of this area that interests me the most is this idea of a good person and what good truly is. Especially when it comes to conversations trying to understand human nature and if humans at our core are good.

Has your study of philosophy informed your day-to-day life or how you make decisions?

I think ultimately, studying philosophy has made me a bit of an overthinker especially in my day-to-day life. I also find myself considering the ethics of things a lot and sometimes I like to ethically judge my friend’s decisions in a loving way as well as judge my actions.

What was your favorite philosophy class?

My favorite philosophy class was probably either Chinese philosophy or Ancient Greek philosophy. I really enjoy dissecting primary texts and working to extrapolate their meanings. I also think that a lot of the subject matter discussed in these classes is intriguing and challenging in a fun way where the material is still digestible and understandable.

When and why did you ultimately decide to become a philosophy major?

I decided my second semester Freshman year to become a philosophy major due to my seminar class on human nature. I enjoyed the professor and the material and felt that philosophy was an area of study that would constantly keep me engaged and interested. I’m a double major and in my other major there are times where things seem to get a bit repetitive because everything’s pulling on the same theories. This doesn’t happen in philosophy though and I think part of that is just because there is so much that’s a part of philosophy. You never really run out of material. There’s also a lot of freedom to develop your own opinions and theories and there never seems to be a right answer which I personally find comforting despite sometimes wanting there to be a right answer.

How did your parents and strangers react when you told them you were a philosophy major?

My parents were really supportive when I told them that I wanted to major in philosophy, we did joke about how it is often considered a useless major, but they’ve continued to be really supportive of my major even when I told them I wanted to go to grad school for philosophy. I’ve luckily always had a pretty positive reaction when I tell people I’m a philosophy major, they often think it sounds really cool.

Do you have a particular memory as a philosophy major at Puget Sound that stands out to you?

When I got to eat lunch with Kate Manne, a professor at Cornell University! It was a really fun time, we got to listen to her talk about her book, and later that day we got to watch her give a lecture on it. She also gave a second lecture on her next book that she was going to publish soon which was about gaslighting and male entitlement which was really intriguing. I find myself thinking about gaslighting a significant amount now from that talk. I don’t think I would honestly think about it to the extent that I do if it wasn’t for listening to her talk about it.

Do you have any advice for current philosophy students?

It would probably be to attend everything that the department does or that they promote if you can! The department brings in really wonderful people and it’s definitely contributed a great amount to my education and time here.