Philosophers develop skills in logic, reasoning and argument to come to grips with some of our most challenging problems, from social, political and religious issues to the problem of consciousness and the paradoxes of infinity. The philosophy major is designed to allow you great flexibility in choosing your courses, both within the department and from complementary disciplines. Your lower-division courses will cover such areas as critical thinking, ethics, logic and the history of philosophy. At the upper division, you will study more specialized topics, such as philosophy as applied to specific academic disciplines, metaphysics, theory of knowledge and the works of individual philosophers. Philosophy addresses problems and questions that arise in all areas of human thought and experience and in all disciplines. Recurring questions about the nature of value, the good life, right conduct, knowledge, truth, language, mind, and reality are central to philosophical study. Philosophy also investigates the methodologies and assumptions of the major disciplines in the university in order to deepen our understanding of the sciences, of mathematics, art, literature, and history, and of religion and morality. It leads us to address issues about the nature of these subjects, about the methods of reasoning characteristic of them, and about the contributions they make to our understanding of ourselves and our world.
The Department of Philosophy offers its majors a choice among three options. The General Emphasis provides a broad view of the field of philosophy. It includes a breadth requirement at the lower division level while providing students wide choice in more advanced courses. The Pre-Law and Pre-Med Emphases include courses that provide philosophical perspectives on law and medicine respectively and that also provide important preparation for professional school. Students of philosophy learn to understand and evaluate arguments and to think and write precisely and clearly. These analytical skills are assets in any career. Many of our majors have pursued graduate study in philosophy and have become philosophers in their own right. Others have pursued academic careers in related disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. Philosophy majors are well prepared for law, business, or other professional schools and have found careers in computer programming, government service, teaching, the ministry, and social work. Those wishing to attend law school or medical school should consider pursuing the Pre-Law and Pre-Med emphases, respectively.
