Against the backdrop of a snowy December weekend, Philosophy Beyond the Major brought faculty and academic leaders together at the Prindle Institute for Ethics for two days of focused conversation and reflection. The wintry setting helped create a retreat-like atmosphere, inviting participants to step away from daily demands and think deliberately about how philosophical inquiry already lives—and can more intentionally flourish—across the academy.

The conference opened on Friday with welcome remarks from Amy Ferrer, Ray Haberski, and Jeff Dunn, followed by panels exploring concrete models for integration, philosophy’s role in healthcare beyond biomedical ethics, and the challenges administrators face in supporting interdisciplinary work. Speakers including Matt Carlson, Gwen Nally, Emily McWilliams, Richard Gunderman, Eli Shantz, Sam Cowling, and Dave Berque offered perspectives that blended philosophical depth with institutional pragmatism. Conversations carried on over shared meals, a cocktail hour, and dinner, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the gathering.

Saturday’s sessions turned toward synthesis and action. A panel on the value of philosophy, led by Giancarlo Tarantino and Samuel Kahn, set the stage for brainstorming activities, small-group breakout discussions, and participant presentations. The conference concluded with a collective conversation about next steps, sending attendees home with practical ideas—and renewed energy—for strengthening philosophy’s place across disciplines and institutional life.