This series of Student Reflections is based on interviews conducted by Elyse Purcell and Sarah Horne during the APA’s 2019 Central Division Meeting in Denver, Colorado. Katherine Sweet received her B.A. in Philosophy from the University of South Alabama and she is currently a Philosophy PhD Student at St. Louis University. Her areas of interest include epistemology philosophy of education, political philosophy, philosophy of religion, and logic.
What inspired you to pursue a graduate degree in philosophy?
My first philosophy course was an undergraduate logic course. I immediately became intrigued by analytic philosophy and argumentation. I continued to pursue philosophy and eventually became very interested in political philosophy and epistemology. All of it really started in high school, though, when I read Sophie’s World. That book made me very interested in philosophical thinking in general, which is why I took a logic class in college!
Which branch of philosophy do you study?
Epistemology, political philosophy, philosophy of religion, and recently philosophy of education.
What interests you most about this branch?
Non-ideal cases of testimony (propaganda, indoctrination) are really interesting to me, especially the epistemological portion of the cases rather than simply the moral portion.
Who is your favorite philosopher and why?
Bertrand Russell. His anti-dogmatism and general methodology fits really well with my way of thinking. He also was very interested in questions in education and in epistemology (and philosophy of religion).
What do you plan to do with your degree once you graduate? If you are choosing to do something outside of a faculty position, please explain what it is and why.
I am mainly interested in teaching at a university. I also have interests in computer programming. I have also dabbled with political science and have considered law school.
This section of the APA Blog is designed to share student reflections on APA meetings. We’d love for you to be a part of it. If you’re a student and would like to submit a reflection, contact Dr. Sabrina D. MisirHiralall at sabrinamisirhiralall@apaonline.org.
Dr. Sabrina D. MisirHiralall is an editor at the Blog of the APA who currently teaches philosophy, religion, and education courses solely online for Montclair State University, Three Rivers Community College, and St. John’s University.
Noted ‘Sophie’s World’ (I’ll get the audiobook so I can listen at work and while commuting)…