Philosophy

Undergraduate Study: Bachelor of Arts (BA), or Minor in Philosophy.

Academic Program

Philosophy is an open inquiry that involves the disciplined examination of our most comprehensive goals, standards, and criteria. For example: how should we conduct ourselves in our relations with one another? (ethics); what standards should we use to assess our institutions? (social and political theory); how may we achieve knowledge and understanding of the world around us? (epistemology, philosophy of science); what are the most general structures of thought and reality? (philosophy of logic and language, metaphysics); and what place does art have, or what place should it have, in human life? (aesthetics). In pursuing these questions, philosophy is often led to confront issues about the ultimate nature of reality and value or to consider possible limitations on our ability to answer or even to ask such questions. Philosophy proceeds with its task in part through contributing to ongoing discussions and debates within disciplines and traditions and also by cross-

The Department of Philosophy’s faculty has expertise in an unusually diverse range of philosophic traditions. The faculty includes specialists in Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Buddhist, and Islamic thought, as well as in many of the important Western traditions. The department as a whole has long been recognized internationally for its comparative work between philosophic traditions.

Major-related Skills

In addition to discipline specific content, philosophy majors have the ability to:

take a comprehensive view of the aspirations and achievements of human culture.

carefully read and interpret texts.

communicate in a manner that conveys clearly their understanding of an issue.

respond critically to ideas that other people advance.

solve problems, organize ideas and issues, to assess pros and cons.

understand views opposed to their own.

deal with questions of value and establish ethical principles.

Declaring Philosophy as a Major

Click here for a form-fillable version of the Declaration of Major Form. Complete the front portion of the form and print two copies. Make an appointment with a faculty advisor in the Philosophy Department to discuss your interests, major requirements, and course selection. The advisor will complete the back portion of the form. Two copies of the completed form should then be turned in at the service counter for Arts & Sciences Student Academic Services.
Note: Click here if you are adding a second major - you will need to use a declaration of major form that has not been pre-filled to declare philosophy as your first major. Click here for concurrent degree requests (i.e., between A&S and another college or different degree programs within A&S, such as concurrent BA and BS degrees).

Created by Lynne Higa, Michael Kirk-Kuwaye

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