Philosophy

Purpose: To support teaching and research through the B.A. level in the following fields: aesthetics, comparative philosophy (especially Asian), environmental ethics, epistemology, ethics, history of philosophy, philosophy of history, philosophy of language, philosophy of law, logic, metaphysics, political and social philosophy, philosophy of religion, philosophy of science, and applied philosophy. While concern for these fields is centered in the Philosophy Department, faculty and students in various other university departments have interests in philosophy.

1. Languages: English is the primary language of collection, although materials in any language will be collected if important. Works published originally in languages other than English are ordinarily purchased when translated into English.
2. Chronological Guidelines: No limitations. Materials relevant to the study of the progression of philosophic thought from its ancient beginnings to the present are collected.
3. Geographical Guidelines: There are no geographical distinctions to be drawn within the subject matter of philosophy. Philosophy of all countries and time periods is collected in order to support work in any of the sub-disciplines of philosophy, with the realization that various countries and cultures have long contributed to such philosophical thought.
4. Treatment of the Subject: Biographies of philosophers are collected selectively. History of philosophy, including the history of philosophic concepts and historical studies of the various subdivisions of the field itself, is collected extensively. Lower division textbooks, including anthologies, are not purchased, nor are works about philosophy written on a popular level.
5. Types of Material: Most materials acquired are in the form of books and periodicals. Encyclopedias and dictionaries of philosophy, reports of philosophical institutes, proceedings of philosophical congresses and conferences, directories of philosophers, indexes and abstracts, and bibliographies will be purchased extensively. Microform reproductions and photocopies of materials may be acquired. Electronic resources are acquired.
6. Date of Publication: Emphasis is on current works and recent reassessments.
7. Other General Considerations: Disciplines interested in philosophy include government, sociology, psychology, physics, and general education classes.