Professor Spotlight: Crystal L'Hote

For this week's professor spotlight, I interviewed professor Crystal L'Hote to learn more about the study of philosophy here at Saint Michael's College.

What classes do you teach here at Saint Michael's College?

-I teach a number of courses that engage other disciplines, including the new Philosophy of Science, Technology, and Environment course, Philosophy of Mind, and Philosophy and Feminism. Even Logic: Laws of Thought draws students from across the disciplines who are eager to hone their reasoning skills or to prepare for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). I teach all of these courses in a philosophic style and tradition that has come to be known as "analytic," and also teach the history of that tradition in a course called Analytic Philosophy: The Quest for Clarity.

All of your classes sound interesting, but what do you do in your Philosophy of Science, Technology, and Environment course?

-The primary objective of the course is to engender a reflective and evaluative attitude toward science, technology, and the natural environment that is grounded by penetrating philosophic engagement. The course is framed by questions like the following: What is the goal of science? Are all sciences - natural and social - ultimately reducible to physics? Can the laws of physics be violated? Do we use technology or does technology use us? Is nature intrinsically valuable? What about biodiversity? What is the moral status of plants and animals? What are our responsibilities to future generations?

What can someone do with a degree in philosophy from Saint Mike's?

-Jokes about unemployed philosophers went stale long ago. Most people know that a philosophy major well-prepares students for law school, but many do not know that philosophy majors are increasingly sought after by employers in fields as various as finance and social work. Employers find that philosophy majors have especially flexible reasoning and verbal skills, and that they are careful but imaginative problem-solvers - in other words, that they have exactly the skills that contemporary professional life demands. My own hope is that our majors are inspired to lead rich, responsible, and (yes) examined lives, whatever their chosen profession.

What is the best advice you can give to someone while they are in the college search process?

-I think the two most difficult aspects of the college search process are knowing what it is that you seek, and knowing whether you've found it. The first challenge is often more daunting than the second. If you don't know what it is that you seek, choose a college that not only complements your existing interests and talents but also encourages you to discover and cultivate new ones. If you do know what it is that you seek, make every effort to focus on the abiding characteristics of the college when you visit. For instance, it's very easy to be influenced one way or another by the weather when you visit a college, but the weather will change. What is more important is the quality and accessibility of the professors, the curriculum, and the character of the community. Above all else, perhaps, ask yourself whether the college promises to help you to discover and become the person you'd like to be.