Department of Philosophy
"By virtue of its concentration on fundamental questions philosophy transcends disciplinary boundaries."
- Philosophy is commonly regarded as the oldest of the intellectual disciplines, challenged for that title only by mathematics. Philosophy also gave rise to many of the other disciplines now studied in colleges and universities. Philosophers study fundamental questions, such as: What is knowledge? How does knowledge differ from mere belief? What is the best form of political order? What is justice? What is the good life for human beings? By virtue of its concentration on fundamental questions philosophy transcends disciplinary boundaries.
- UM's Philosophy Department is of moderate size, both in terms of faculty positions and student enrollments. Classes are generally rather small and students are given a good deal of individual attention. The Department is distinguished both in its scholarship, including persons of international reputation, like Albert Borgmann, and in its teaching, with several of its members having won campus awards for outstanding teaching.
- Philosophy offers both the B.A. and M.A. degrees. Its graduates go on to a wide range of careers and further education. Graduates have gone on to advanced degree and professional programs at such institutions as Oxford (as Rhodes Scholars), Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Carnegie-Mellon. The Department plays a significant role in UM's general education program.
- Philosophy programs tend to be identified with one school of thought within the field, especially with Anglo-American analytic philosophy or Continental Philosophy (Existentialism, Phenomenology). Defying this common pattern, our program is well-balanced and representative. It is also historically based.
Undergraduate Student Gretchen Neal
Gretchen Neal
I chose to major in philosophy after writing a paper on hedonism for an English class. I stayed in philosophy because I loved it. In philosophy, no claim is untouchable; no argument is safe from challenges, and no belief is sacred. Both the curriculum and the professors in this department have challenged me to stretch my mind and perform to the best of my ability. Studying philosophy has taught me how to think, how to argue, and how to concede graciously. The skills that I have acquired and polished in this department are invaluable, and will serve me well both in law school and in life.
