An Interview with New d'Alzon Chair (Spring 2003)

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Fr. Dennis Gallagher, A.A. '69, Vice President for Mission

An Interview with New d'Alzon Chair (Spring 2003)

The third occupant of the d’Alzon Chair in Liberal Studies is Dr. Warren Murray, who is visiting d’Alzon Professor for the academic years 2002–2003 and 2003–2004. Dr. Murray was formerly professor of the Philosophy of Science and of Ancient Greek Philosophy at Laval University in Quebec. He has also taught in France and Argentina and has lectured extensively in both the Americas and in Europe. He is the author of Themes et Lectures en Philosophie des Sciences, and of many articles on diverse aspects of philosophy. He is presently working on topics in the philosophy of law, human rights, biological method, and science in Aristotle. I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Murray for this issue of Assumption College Magazine.

Fr. Gallagher : How would you describe your goals as the visiting d’Alzon professor?

Dr. Murray: My mission as a philosophy teacher is not only to teach and to do research with a view to the formation of professional philosophers in our society, but also to contribute to the kind of basic formation in philosophy that should be required of all educated people, whatever their field of specialization. Assumption College happily recognizes this need to educate the whole person. I am delighted to be here and to share in the accomplishment of this project.

Fr. Gallagher : As we speak, the new Science Center is nearing completion. Is there any symbolism here?

Dr. Murray: Yes, I think so. The new building symbolizes the importance of science for our society and for Assumption College. It can also be an opportunity for us to reflect on the role that the sciences should have in a liberal arts education.

Fr. Gallagher: In addition to specialized programs in the sciences, with majors and minors, what sort of education in the sciences should students have who are not concentrating in science?

Dr. Murray: Given the importance of science in the modern world, it is hardly conceivable that some one should have finished a college education with little or no knowledge of physics, chemistry, or biology. Without such knowledge, it will be much more difficult to make reasonable judgments about many of the important issues confronting contemporary society. The resolution of so many of those issues, such as health care, the environment, and genetically modified organisms—to name a few—depend on basic scientific knowledge.

Fr. Gallagher: Education in the sciences serves an essentially pragmatic end, then?

Dr. Murray: No, not entirely. The liberal arts are those things that we study not principally with a view to some practical utility, but because it is simply worthwhile to know them. The sciences, at least to some important degree, enter clearly into the liberal arts.

Fr. Gallagher : Could you say something further about what a liberally educated person should know about science?

Dr. Murray: I would propose that he or she should have some basic familiarity with the history of the great scientific achievements of the last few centuries—the great theories and discoveries and the scientists who were responsible for them. They should also have some knowledge of the scientific method, with its strengths and its limits, so as to better appreciate the work of the scientists. This will enable students to follow the great debates today without being taken in by fallacious arguments or ideologies passing themselves off as scientific. No small order, this goal, but worthy of our best efforts here at Assumption.