Philosophy

Philosophy reflects both speculatively and critically on the world and on the inescapable questions of human existence. In the midst of profound social and cultural change, exploding scientific knowledge, technological advances, political struggle, and economic transformation, philosophy clarifies questions, confronts emergent issues, deepens our sense of what is at stake, and emphasizes debate and intellectual exploration.

Philosophy explores questions that are often at a distance from ordinary experience -- questions about the beginning of time, the foundations of physics, the nature of Being, the attributes of God, the possibility of genuine freedom or the nature of knowledge. But it also explores questions closer at hand-questions that arise from reflection on the more immediate elements of ordinary life. What is consciousness? How are words related to things? What does the body have to do with self-identity? How should we understand terrorism? Is beauty in the eye of the beholder? What is an emotion?

Philosophy affirms, in the spirit of Socrates, the value of the examined life.

Recent majors are succeeding in careers as public policy experts, writers, social and environmental activists, lawyers, journalists, and artists.

Majors and Minors
Major in Philosophy
Minor in Philosophy