The Program Philosophy has as its primary focus consideration of the basic criteria for what we know, what we ought to do and value, and what we can hope. These are essential, but often unrecognized, elements in addressing central and difficult questions in life and in every discipline in the university. Their study both illuminates the issues and advances the capacity to think clearly and critically.
Philosophy furnishes the resources for integrating knowledge and values into a coherent whole.
The capacity for clear and critical thinking developed by the study of philosophy prepares students for every field. Philosophy courses may be taken singly or combined into an undergraduate major or minor. They include studies of knowledge and reality, logic, ethics, aesthetics, the history of philosophy, professional and medical ethics, political philosophy, and law and morality. For more information, see the list of requirements below under Philosophy - B.A. . Students interested in exploring further a major in philosophy are invited to contact the director of undergraduate studies.