Minor in History

Joseph Mineo, 2025

What was the most impactful class you took in your major? 

Two classes had a tremendous impact on my thinking and course of studies, The Nature of Life with Professor Nicholson and 19th Century Philosophy with Professor Brandhorst. Professor Nicholson’s class introduced me to the philosophy of science from the perspective of biology. We covered a range of difficult topics that profoundly changed the way I think about science, reality, and life. This class is where I made my first serious attempt at trying to understand the metaphysics of nature, and although I feel my final argument came up short with respect to some serious objections raised against it, my interest in the subject carried my efforts forth to the present day where I have a much firmer grasp of the subject matter. Professor Nicholson is a wonderful teacher, and I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of his course.  

With Professor Brandhorst, my world view was shaped in a totally different way. His course introduced me to several thinkers, but Kierkegaard, in particular, had a profound effect on my life and thinking. The limitations of rationality and the subjective engagement with the eternal are just a few themes that deeply shaped my worldview, especially in concert with my own personal reading of ‘The Brothers Karamazov,’ by Dostoyevsky. Professor Brandhorst is a wonderful lecturer and his open willingness to engage in questions and dialogue about the topics in class really boosted my engagement and interest. 

What activities were you involved in during your time at George Mason that impacted you?  

In January 2024 I had the opportunity to study abroad in Athens and Rome for one week each.  My own philosophical beliefs are a mixture of Platonist and Aristotelian ideas with a touch of Christian theology, so naturally these two places meant a great deal to me and my studies in these fields.  

During my time in Athens, I went to many places, but I was especially excited to visit the ruins of Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum. Freud wrote about his visit to the Acropolis, saying that he always conceived it as a place that was not real outside of the fantasy of literature and the tradition of the philosophers, and when he was there himself it felt unreal and strange. I felt the same way in many of the places I visited, but especially of Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum; I see myself as a disciple of the ancient tradition that they started 2500 years ago, and it felt inconceivable that I was standing on the exact grounds where it all began. A similar experience occurred at the Oracle at Delphi: I wondered about the score of leaders and thinkers who visited that very location in the mountains of Greece that I was standing, from Alexander the Great to Socrates.  My time in Rome also had a profound impact on me, especially the time I spent in the Vatican City.  As one might expect of an admirer of the Greeks, I have a particular fondness for the ‘School of Athens’ fresco that Raphael painted. Visiting this work in person was certainly a highlight of my trip, although two other experiences in the Vatican unexpectedly gave it competition. The first was Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine Chapel, which was so detailed and complex that I strained my neck looking up at it for so long. The second was St. Peter’s Basilica.  We visited many old and grand churches over the course of the trip, but none of them compared to St. Peter’s Basilica–standing inside, especially when Catholic chants and music began to sound, made me feel that this is a Holy place like no other. It is my wish to return there one day to experience it again. 

What is your most memorable moment at George Mason inside or outside of the classroom? 

After classes, some friends and I would go to the Johnson Center and talk about whatever philosophical ideas we had been reading/thinking about. These conversations were a great time to refine arguments and give clarity to blurry ideas that were thus far underdeveloped.     

As you are reflecting on your time at George Mason, what is one piece of advice you would give a student who is just starting off on their George Mason journey?  

Take your classes seriously and challenge yourself to do just a little more than you think you are capable of achieving.  If you are unsure about what you should do at any point, think about the broader purposes you have for doing anything, and let that guide your action. 

What is your next step after graduation? What are your future plans?

I am planning on attending law school next semester and have the current intentions of practicing constitutional law–or perhaps criminal or defamation law. Long term, however, my goal is to return to teaching. Whether this takes the form of a law/philosophy professor or some other avenue, time will tell. Education is important, and I believe I have the skills and passion to be a good teacher to others. I have been a teacher for as long as I can remember in the Martial Arts domain, and certain students have shown me the value and meaning of teaching those who want to learn, and that is where I hope to return at some point.