A new experiential learning opportunity encourages BYU philosophy students to research thoughtful questions grounded in both study and faith.
At BYU, the classroom is a space where faith and intellect meet. Embracing this unique aspect, the Philosophy Department recently launched the Undergraduate LDS Philosophy Workshop—an opportunity for students to engage in mentored research that combines Latter-day Saint (LDS) beliefs with philosophical study. As a result, students strengthen both their personal faith and their futures as philosophers.
How the Workshop Works
After Assistant Professor Taylor-Grey Miller (Metaphysics, Philosophy of Religion) noticed a growing interest in Latter-day Saint philosophy within the department, he and Department Chair David Jensen (Ethics and Value Theory) established the workshop. They saw it as an opportunity for students to engage in and contribute to the momentum around a developing area of study.
The Undergraduate LDS Philosophy Workshop gives students the chance to turn philosophical questions into polished research projects with the guidance of faculty mentors. To start, students propose an idea that explores either a philosophical concept through a Latter-day Saint perspective or a Latter-day Saint concept through a philosophical perspective. Then, over the course of six weeks, they meet with faculty to refine their idea, conduct research, identify a thesis, and develop a research paper grounded in both philosophical literature and religious texts.
The process provides hands-on experience into what real-life philosophical research looks like, all while engaging with the university’s commitment to faith. Students who participate in the workshop have the freedom to research nearly any topic they want, as long as it’s within the realm of Latter-day Saint philosophy. Recent topics include, alongside others, how Latter-day Saint teachings on the afterlife shape moral decision making and how God’s covenants with Adam and Noah relate to environmental stewardship.
Enthusiasm Meets Expertise
Ethan Richardson (Philosophy, Applied Math ’28) participated in the workshop’s first cohort. His project explored the concept of free will through a close reading of 2 Nephi 2 in the Book of Mormon. Richardson examined whether the text favors certain philosophical views on free will. He argued that it supports a reasons-responsive account of free will, suggesting that people are free when they can recognize and respond to reasons for their choices.
The design of the workshop allowed Richardson to explore his interests with the help of a mentor. “It was perfect because I had the enthusiasm, they had the expertise, and we brought it together,” says Richardson. He was mentored by Miller, who enjoys seeing the variety of interests students bring to the workshop. Miller says it gives him a chance to engage with topics he wouldn’t normally have the time to research, and he likes seeing what students care about.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the experience, Miller says, is “getting to know the students in deeper ways than I would in the seminar room. I feel like I get to know them as people, which is really fun.” Richardson also enjoyed getting to know faculty better, saying he feels comfortable knocking on his professors’ doors whenever he has a question or simply wants to chat—something he wouldn’t have done if it weren’t for the workshop.
By Study and By Faith
In addition to connecting students and faculty, the workshop provides students with skills applicable to their futures. For Richardson, the hands-on experience gave him confidence in his ability to pursue philosophy beyond the classroom. He says that while working one-on-one with a professor, “you start to pick up a lot of details of working as a philosopher just from being around them.” Carefully going through the research process with a mentor allowed Richardson to “dive into philosophy in a way that a class probably wouldn’t,” something he says has strengthened his work in subsequent classes.
That same careful approach also shaped how Richardson engages with his faith. He says the experience deepened his appreciation for scripture, allowing him to “see more of the richness and beauty of the scriptures” through careful study. Rather than separating his study of philosophy from his Latter-day Saint faith, the workshop brought the two together in a way that made both more meaningful. For Miller, that outcome reflects the broader purpose of the workshop, “to get students to think about what disciple-scholarship looks like for them as philosophy majors.”
Learn more about ways to get involved with the Philosophy Department here.