Department of Philosophy
Vision:
Sharing our rich philosophy in terms of heritage of East and West.
Mission:
To develop rational approach towards social, religious and ethical issues as well as to promote harmonious development in personality.
The Department of Philosophy was founded in 1967. It boasts of some eminent teaching faculty such as Professor Kule, Fr.Mendonca , Professor Mervin, Dr.Sudha Chari and Fr.Antimo Gomes, the latter having served as a Principal of St. Xavier’s College for a decade. Dr.Sudha Chari incidentally was a student of the first batch of Philosophy at St. Xavier’s College.
Initially the Department was under the Bombay University, teaching Indian Philosophy, Ethics, Philosophy of Religion , Metaphysics , Western Philosophy, etc. In 1997, a Foundation course paper in Logic was introduced to sharpen the cognitive abilities of the students preparing them for various competitive exams.
Our alumni are holding responsible positions in society, as Asst. Mamlatdar, editors of leading magazines, officers in banks, HR Professionals, researchers and Assistant Professors in colleges among others.
Associate Professor
Ms. Aletthra C. Vieira (HOD)
Assistant Professor
Ms. Shefali Kale
The Department conducts various activities as field trips, talks by eminent resource persons, sessions with college counsellors, screening of documentaries and films, discussion sessions such as “Coffee with Philosophy”, “Research Hour”, Certificate and Value Added Courses and student event ‘Philofest’ to commemorate World Philosophy Day which showcases the unique talents of students of Philosophy.
Students after studying Philosophy can pursue careers as Environmentalists, RTI activists, Office Assistants, Journalists and Media Professionals, Philosophical Counsellors, Entrepreneurs, Influencers. They can also careers in Law, Management, Teaching, Research, Indian Administrative Services as IAS, IFS, and IPS.
The Department offers Skill Enhancement Courses in Critical Thinking, Research Ethics and Philosophical Study of the Bhagvadgita to promote Indian Knowledge Systems. To foster love and care for the environment, students were taught to make seed balls that were to be dispersed in places where there was lesser vegetation.
Socrates said, “The only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing.” Similarly like Socrates, Philosophy made me realize that what I have learnt in these past three years of my Graduation is not even a drop in the ocean of knowledge that there is still more to accomplish. The Department of Philosophy consists of some amazing teachers who have taught us so meticulously and lovingly about the ‘Love for Wisdom’ beginning from the Indian Philosophers to the Modern, Medieval and Contemporary Western Philosophers, and not forgetting Logic, from which all reasoning of the mind takes place. It was indeed very inspiring to learn more about them through the seminars and workshops such as Coffee with Philosophy, where, not only students of philosophy but also students of other streams joined us. Learning also took place through the study trips to various farm lands and historical places organized by the Department of Philosophy.
In my three years of graduation, I have studied Philosophy and learnt new ways of thinking and doing analytical studies on various Philosophers and their way of thinking. I sincerely thank all the teachers of the Department of Philosophy for helping us students to gain wisdom and understanding through the subject of Philosophy.