University has new philosophy focus

The Associated Press - Friday, December 05, 2008

GRAND FORKS, N.D.

The University of North Dakota and the North Dakota Humanities Council are joining in a new focus on philosophy.

The groups want to use a five-year state grant of $39,000 a year to establish an Institute for Philosophy in Public Life. The program is being proposed to the state Board of Higher Education.

A statement from UND says it seeks to help people understand philosophy and philosophical research.

The proposed institute also plans to partner with Prairie Public Radio in a monthly call-in radio show tentatively called "Why? Philosophical discussions about everyday life."

Associate UND Professor Jack Weinstein, who would head the new institute, says philosophy can seem irrelevant, but he says, "most of the great human insights began as philosophy and virtually every job can be made better with the skills philosophy offers."

Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/ap/index.cfm?page=view&id=D94SHAE00

http://www.in-forum.com/ap/index.cfm?page=view&id=D94SHAE00