Philosophy (PH)
What is the best way to live my life? How can I have meaningful conversations with people whose ideas are very different from my own? What do governments owe to their citizens? If you have ever grappled with these kinds of questions, you have already begun to philosophize.
The study of philosophy provides the concepts, analytical skills, historical perspective, and creative perception to engage deeply with the human situation – individual selves, cultures and communities, the biological and physical world we are a part of, our values and ideals, our potentialities, our hopes. Courses in this discipline develop the habits of mind that make it possible to engage our changing world in a perceptive, intelligent, sensitive, and creative manner. The major emphasizes active engagement with philosophical texts, with the history of human thought, and with issues of deep significance.
This major has helped prepare recent graduates for law school, medical school, and graduate school, as well as for positions in teaching, publishing, journalism, television and myriad careers in the business world.
A major in philosophy requires 10 courses in philosophy, including PH-203 (Ancient Greek Philosophy), PH-204 (Modern Philosophy), PH- 207 (Logic), PH-375 (Senior Seminar), and 6 additional electives, at least 4 of which must be at the 300-level (and one of these should fulfil the history of philosophy requirement).
A minor in philosophy requires 5 courses in philosophy, one of which should be either PH 101 (Introduction to Philosophy) or PH-203 (Ancient Greek Philosophy) or PH-204 (Modern Philosophy), and 2 of which should be at the 300-level.
Recommended courses for incoming students:
Recommended courses for students
All 100 and 200 level courses are open to students without a prerequisite.
Fall 2024
PH 101 Introduction to Philosophy
PH 203 Ancient Greek Philosophy
PH 207 Introduction to Logic
PH 212 Philosophy of Race
PH 230 Indigenous Philosophies
PH 230 Philosophy of Madness
Spring 2025
PH 101 Introduction to Philosophy
PH 204 Modern Philosophy from Descartes to Kant
PH 207 Introduction to Logic
PH 222 Law, Property, and (In)Humanity
PH 223 Love & Friendship
Philosophy Department Site
2nd Floor, Ladd Hall
518-580-5400
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