GW Philosophy Department

GW Philosophy Department Statement on Political Unrest

Black Lives Matter.

Black Lives Matter, and yet one would not know from the fact that Black people experience poverty in the U.S. at twice the rate that white people do, or that they have died of COVID-19 at three times the rate that white people have, or that disparities in education lead to Black people experiencing the lowest rates of completion for four-year college degrees, that they matter to America.

Black Lives Matter, and yet for the eight minutes and forty-six seconds that Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his blue-uniformed knee into the throat of George Floyd—as Floyd gasped for air, pleaded that he could not breathe, cried for his mother, and finally, fell silent—you might have been forgiven for wondering whether Black lives really matter to this country at all.

But Black Lives Matter.

We are a philosophical community. We are committed to freedom of thought and expression. We utterly reject racism, sexism, ableism, and all other forms of oppression and prejudice. We denounce our government’s use of violence to terrorize, punish, and silence those fighting for democracy and the right to be heard—a right which we discuss and embody in our classrooms but that in the final instance can only be defended in the street. And so we stand with protesters and we say, “Black Lives Matter.”

President Trump has decried what he calls the “angry mob” that has taken to cities and towns all across this country and across the world. He urges us to distinguish that “angry mob” from so-called other “peaceful protesters,” and to condemn the expressions of rage and pain that are forcing their way into our national discourse and refusing to be quieted. We refuse. Where there is no justice, there can be no real peace.

For too long, the masses—with whom we are in solidarity, and of whom we are a part—have been shut out of political life, sidelined, brutalized, and oppressed. The anger we see pouring out into the streets is triggered by a specific, recent manifestation of a longstanding, historical violation of basic principles of justice. The murder of George Floyd by members of the Minneapolis Police Department is but one instance of the institutional racism that has plagued the United States and its colonial precursors for four hundred years.

That even as the cameras are rolling, agents of the state openly engage in such flagrant violations of basic principles of decency, raises the sickening and horrifying question: What do they do in the dark? There is a lamentable tendency among the white residents of the United States to assume that such practices are rare in the present day, that they are mostly historical relics of antebellum times, or perhaps relegated to the years before the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. But state brutality against people of color pervades our culture not as isolated exceptions, but as the rule. As philosophers, we have a duty to help bring this pervasive, institutionalized brutality out into the open, and to struggle against it.

That people have a right to a democratic say in how they are governed is a widely-shared fundamental premise of political philosophy. The alternative is government by arbitrary, non-rational, brute force, and this is anathema to the very concept of political philosophy. By unleashing upon the populace militarized police, border guards, correctional officers, and other official state agents to commit unprovoked acts of brutality, the current U.S. Presidential administration carries out a violent, frontal assault on this basic principle that forms the foundation of any philosophical approach to organizing a polity. The Trump administration is self-consciously and deliberately choosing arbitrary, brute force as its governing principle. If there is anything that we as philosophers must resist with all of our might, it is this.

We believe in true democracy—political power to all who today are silenced and oppressed—and we are in the struggle to win it. We stand up with people around the world and we say, “Black Lives Matter.” We wholeheartedly support this popular movement as the only force capable of making that statement not only an abstract ethical truth, but a concrete reality.

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Check out this documentary by one of our current master’s student Rostam Assadi! In this documentary, Rostam and his team interviewed various leaders, students, activists, and artists to better understand how people interpret Islam and make a positive impact.

https://youtu.be/8xv-e88lWgw

NEIGHBORS: Untold Voices of Islam

Today our faculty spotlight is on Professor Joseph Trullinger! He is currently teaching a course on 19th-Century Philosophy, and is particularly adept at making a great cup of coffee! Keep an eye out for more about our wonderful faculty!

We hope everyone has gotten a good rest since graduation! We're here to kick-start your motivation with another example of all the directions you can take with your philosophy degree

This week on famous phil majors: Canadian-American television personality and host of Jeopardy, Alex Trebek!

Thank you so much for everybody who came out to listen to what our get lecturer, Eduardo Mendieta (center), had to offer about truth, post-truth, and his critical insight on the political scene we find ourselves in today!

STARTING NOW Eduardo Mendieta’s lecture on truth, at 4pm in MPA 310! Come for the snacks, stay for the facts

*Don't miss out!* Eduardo Mendieta's lecture on truth, TOMORROW April 20 at 4pm in MPA 310! Come for the snacks, stay for the facts

Don't miss out on guest speaker Eduardo Mendieta's lecture on truth this Friday, April 20 at 4pm in MPA 310!

Mark your calendars for Eduardo Mendieta's lecture "Rorty and Post-Post-Truth" on Friday, April 20 in MPA 310 at 4pm! Examine the concept of truth and how a person like Trump can be so prevalent today.

"Taking Responsibility for Racial Violence: Shooting the Racist Imagination", presented by guest speaker Jose Medina! Today! 4:30! In SMPA 310! Be there or be square!

You know what to do!

We've had this ancient guy sitting around our office, reminding us that the one thing we know, is that we know nothing! Also...to watch Bill & Ted movies more often! Anyhow, check out this article and brush up on some ancient Greek philosophy! http://ow.ly/T2tI30jdIgO

RT : *opportunity alert* Don’t miss the chance to get funding for your research!! Find out how the GW Philosophy department can help you with your next great idea. Deadline for signing up is April 20th. https://t.co/d0dny2V6bF

GWU Philosophy on Twitter “*opportunity alert* Don't miss the chance to get funding for your research!! Find out how the GW Philosophy department can help you with your next great idea. Deadline for signing up is April 20th. ”

RT : *opportunity alert* Don't miss the chance to get funding for your research!! Find out how the GW Philosophy department can help you with your next great idea. Deadline for signing up is April 20th. https://t.co/d0dny2V6bF

GWU Philosophy on Twitter “*opportunity alert* Don't miss the chance to get funding for your research!! Find out how the GW Philosophy department can help you with your next great idea. Deadline for signing up is April 20th. ”

RT : RT : Interested in learning about Greek philosophy? Stop by for info in Rome 553@PhilosopGWU; summer study abroad course “Greece: Athens, The Peloponnese, and Santorini” on 2/23 https://t.co/p4zzSfx38Z

Greece: Athens, the Peloponnese, and Santorini (PHIL 2111W & HONR 2054W) PHIL 2111W & HONR 2054W This short-term abroad course offers the extraordinary opportunity to study ancient Greek philosophy in Athens and the Peloponnese, and on the island of Santorini. We will visit the Oracle at Delphi that pronounced Socrates the wisest human being, and we will have class near....

*opportunity alert* Don't miss the chance to get funding for your research!! Find out how the GW Philosophy department can help you with your next great idea. Deadline for signing up is April 20th. GW Arts & Sciences GWU Honors Program

Happy International Women's Day! Check out this article about 10 Women of Philosophy (some of which you may or may not have heard of!). Let us know which lady philosopher has influenced you the most! ow.ly/quXQ30iPzqc. (p.s. the original version of this image is currently on display at the Portrait Gallery right here in D.C)

Ever think "why philosophy"? Well, if you haven't then you should! A degree in can take you anywhere you want to go! Check out our most recent feature, Peter Thiel, and read more about him here: http://ow.ly/GO8730iOzG5

Read this interesting article about how philosophy makes progress, and how many many ideas rooted in activism such as gay rights, gender equality, etc. are wider ideas first refined through the field of philosophy! http://ow.ly/JICD30iHllE

Is Philosophy Obsolete? No. It helps make us coherent to ourselves, and that’s a never-ending project. 

A degree in philosophy opens a wide range of doors. Today we spotlight Angela Davis, as well as her accomplishments not just as a philosopher but as a key figure in shaping history! Read more: http://ow.ly/e0Pp30iH1Sq

The great thing about a philosophy degree is the true breadth of its applicability. Whether you plan to pursue a career in medicine, science/engineering, design or even architecture, philosophy will be an invaluable tool for success.

Did you know that Steve Martin received his bachelors in philosophy? Read more about how it influenced his career in comedy in this 1983 Rolling Stone interview! http://ow.ly/ENRM30iyxKo

Trust us, we've heard it all before: "you wont get a job with a philosophy degree", "what is a philosophy degree used for? Well, we're here to BUST through some of those misconceptions and show you the true strength behind a degree in philosophy!! Stay tuned for lessons and testimonials on the value of majoring in

Missed our info session last night? Don't worry, your chances at an eye-opening experience in the lovely summer of Greece still awaits! Visit the link (or access the program through GWPassport) to find out how to still join us!http://ow.ly/Zqdw30iyqHj

RT : Interested in learning about Greek philosophy? Stop by the info session for the & summer study abroad course “Greece: Athens, The Peloponnese, and Santorini” on 2/23 https://t.co/1j8xKfVCwO https://t.co/Ja9ribrsBy

Interested in learning about Greek philosophy? “Greece: Athens, The Peloponnese, and Santorini” Stop by the info session for the https://t.co/1j8xKfVCwO

Ready to have some summer fun in the sun? Find out how you can vacay AND get class credit at our info session on February 21, 2018, 4:00-5:00pm, ROME 569

That’s tomorrow folks. Tomorrow!

Already made spring break plans? Don't worry, we don't leave until the summer! Be sure to attend our info-session to see how you can join us in Greece. Info Session: February 21, 2018, 4:00-5:00pm, ROME 569

Do you have a proposal that you're eager to explore? Do you have a passion for a particular research topic? Submit your application for the Thacher-Reynolds Memorial fellowship! Applications due by 4/20/18.