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Â鶹ԭ´´ Department of Philosophy

The Department of Philosophy at Â鶹ԭ´´ offers a rich academic environment for advanced philosophical study, supported by a scholarly faculty with expertise across historical and contemporary philosophical fields and methods.

Life's Biggest Questions

Philosophy students often grapple with fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, morality, and reality. Some common questions include: 

• What is the meaning of life?
• Do we have free will?
• What is consciousness?
• Is there a God?
• How can we distinguish good from bad or right from wrong?
• Why do bad things happen to good people?
• Why is there suffering in the world?
• Can we be sure that any of our beliefs are true?

As a student of philosophy you won’t simply be taught the answers to these questions but instead, how best to ask them. You will learn to use rigorous, rational, and critical methods of thinking to engage with these big issues and with the some of the greatest thinkers in human history.

The Thinker Source:

Originally conceived in 1880 as The Poet for The Gates of Hell, The Thinker represented Dante contemplating the circles of Hell, embodying both suffering and intellectual resolve. Influenced by Carpeaux’s Ugolino and Michelangelo’s Lorenzo de’ Medici, it combined physical torment with philosophical reflection. Exhibited separately in 1888 and enlarged in 1904, it gained fame as a symbol of thoughtful strength. Today, numerous casts exist, including prominent ones at the Musée Rodin and on Rodin’s tomb in Meudon.

Benefits of Studying Philosophy

Students of philosophy will improve or enhance their reasoning ability, critical thinking, and logical analysis, helping students distinguish good arguments from bad and think rationally in emotional situations. These skills lead to strong performance on graduate and professional school entrance exams and are highly valued by employers across various fields.

Philosophy also builds the ability to understand new ideas, solve problems in diverse contexts, think creatively, and challenge conventional wisdom—making it ideal for innovative, adaptable thinking. The study of philosophy truly enables students to “think outside the box.

Many Career Options

Philosophy develops advanced skills that are valuable in any career. These skills are in high demand in today’s society in the technology, medical, business, education, and law fields. These abilities are highly sought after in today’s dynamic world, where success relies on adapting, solving new problems, and communicating effectively skills that will be useful for whatever career one chooses.