Who We Are & What We Do

Philosophy is both a way of life and a way of being. Philosophers dedicate their time examining complex and fundamental questions about the nature of reality (metaphysics), the theory of knowledge (epistemology), the ways in which one ought to behave (ethics), and the nature of beauty and taste (aesthetics).

Chico MAP is a student organization on CSU Chico's campus. We are considered a Chapter of the larger, international organization MAP (Minorities and Philosophy). See their website here.

As a MAP chapter, Chico State intends to provide a supportive community that serves the needs and amplifies the voices of marginalized students. We recognize that each student has come to Chico with a different set of life experiences -- including, but not limited to, cultural, political, gender, and educational differences -- and that those differences (especially for minorities) can leave them feeling marginalized. Ultimately, our goal is to provide a place for students to feel supported in their academic career, to make them feel heard, to amplify the confidence behind their ideas, and to help build a community for conversation, collaboration, and coeducation.

Mission

"MAP’s mission is to address structural injustices in academic philosophy and to remove barriers that impede participation in academic philosophy for members of marginalized groups. Through our international organizing team and graduate student-led network of autonomous chapters around the world, we aim to examine and dismantle mechanisms that prevent students from marginalized groups from participating in academic philosophy, as well as to promote philosophical work done from marginalized perspectives, and help improve working conditions for scholars from marginalized backgrounds."

Vision

Essentially, Chico MAP has the goal of creating a utopian-like environment where students, professors, and professionals alike can meet in a nonjudgemental environment (and without feeling marginalized). By creating an inclusive space for different cultures and backgrounds to connect, we hope to simulate true Socratic dialectics. We are not exclusive to philosophy majors, but this is a philosophy club. Anyone interested in the ideas raised through philosophy is welcomed. We hope to make marginalized students feel like they are equally contributing to philosophy's larger vision -- living an examined life.