Toenjes Philosophy is reasoned inquiry into basic principles for understanding the nature of persons, reality, thought, knowledge, values and beauty. It seeks to establish standards of evidence, to provide rational methods of resolving conflicts, and to create techniques for evaluating fundamental ideas and arguments in all areas of human existence and knowledge. Equally concerned with human endeavor in both the arts and the sciences, philosophy continues to reside at the core of a liberal education. Students major or minor in philosophy out of a love for the subject and a need to pursue fundamental ideas and principles. Immediate career opportunities are the same as for other solid programs in liberal arts and sciences.
Many students take just one or two philosophy courses, while majoring in other programs.
They find their study of basic ideas and principles enriches their general education and adds a dimension of understanding to courses in their major program. Students often find that philosophy courses give them a deeper understanding of many contemporary social issues, such as biomedical, business, professional and technological ethics. Courses in critical thinking and logic are a benefit to students in all their coursework and can be especially useful to students who plan to enter graduate school, law school, and various professional fields. A major in philosophy leading to a B.A. degree consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours in philosophy, at least 15 of which are earned at UNC Charlotte with the grade of C or better, and a GPA of 2.5 for all philosophy courses applied to the major. Further specification of traditional periods and problems is given in the Philosophy Department Manual available in the department.