Major in Philosophy
What is Philosophy?
Philosophy is the systematic study of ideas and issues. It is derived from the Greek word philosophia, which translates to “love of wisdom.” It is the study of fundamental questions about reality, knowledge, existence, values, and reasons aiming to understand the world and our place in it. In a basic sense philosophy is an activity people undertake when they seek to understand fundamental truths about themselves, and the world in which they live.
Those who study philosophy as an academic discipline are perpetually engaged in asking,
answering, and arguing for their answers to life’s basic questions. The skills learned
in philosophy can be applied to any field of study and to everyday life.
The 5 main areas of study in Philosophy
1.
Metaphysics
The study of the nature of reality. What exists in the world. What it’s made of, and how it’s ordered.
Common questions: What is truth? What is a person? Do people have free will? Is the world strictly composed of matter?
2.
Epistemology
The study of knowledge. Concerned with what we know about the world and how we know it.
Common questions: What is knowledge? Do we really know anything? Can we be justified in claiming to know certain things?
3.
Ethics
Concerns questions about what we ought to do and why it is best
What is good? What is right? Is morality objective or subjective? How should I treat others?
4.
Logic
The study the nature and structure of arguments.
What constitutes good or bad reasoning? How do we determine if a given piece of reasoning is good or bad?
5.
History of PHIL
The overall study of philosophy involves not only forming one’s own answers to questions, but seeks to understand the way people have answered these questions in the past.
A significant part is studying how people answered questions in the past. Students study the works of Aristotle, Plato, Aquinas, Nietzsche, Locke, Descartes, West, Mill, de Beauvior, hooks, Wollstonecraft, Davis, Arendt, Hypatia and many more.
What Skills will I learn as a philosophy major?
On the practical front, philosophy majors develop superior reasoning and analytical skills, helping explain why philosophers majors excel on Grad School entrance exams: GRE, LSAT, MCAT, and GMAT. Employers value problem solving skills, along with an aptitude for clear expression of ideas (both spoken and written); these abilities are developed in every philosophy course.
Here's a more detailed look at the skills gained: cognitive, written, and pragmatic.
- Critical Thinking: Philosophy encourages questioning assumptions, evaluating arguments, and developing well-reasoned conclusions.
- Logical Reasoning: Students learn to construct sound arguments, identify fallacies, and follow logical chains of reasoning.
- Analytical Thinking: Philosophy involves breaking down complex problems, identifying key elements, and understanding their relationships.
- Problem-Solving: Students develop the ability to approach problems systematically, identify potential solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness.
- Clear and Persuasive Writing: Studying philosophy requires clear and concise writing to present arguments and ideas effectively.
- Abstract Conceptualization: Philosophy deals with abstract ideas, fostering the ability to think conceptually and make connections across different areas.
- Effective Oral Communication: Students learn to articulate their ideas clearly, engage in thoughtful discussions, and present arguments persuasively.
- Ethical Reasoning: Students develop the ability to think about ethical issues, make moral judgments, and apply ethical principles in their own lives.
- Clear and Persuasive Writing: Studying philosophy requires clear and concise writing to present arguments and ideas effectively.
- Research Skills: Students learn to gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources.
- Listening and Understanding Diverse Perspectives: Philosophy exposes students to different viewpoints, encouraging them to listen actively and understand diverse perspectives.
- Interpersonal Skills: Engaging in discussions and debates with others fosters communication and collaboration skills.
- Information Management: Philosophy requires students to manage and organize complex information effectively.
Declare Major Major Handout Major Checklist Why Philosophy 4-year plan sample
The degree requirements in philosophy allow students to tailor their course of study.
Required coursework for philosophy students is organized around four main areas of study: Ethics and Values; Metaphysics and Epistemology; History of Philosophy; Logic and Formal Methods. Students are required to take courses from each area of study. The specific requirements are explained below.
The Major in Philosophy calls for a minimum of 36 units of philosophy coursework that meets the following six requirements:
3011*, 3080, 3390, 3500, 3510, 3520, 3530, 3570, 3700, 3710, 3730, 3740, 3750, 3790, 3800, 3820, 4540, 5130, 5191*, 5500, 5510, 5520, 5530, 5540, 5700, 5710, 5800
* These courses typically have variable content and may be taken multiple times, each time counting as a new and separate course, so long as the course content is different.
3012*, 3300, 3310, 3350, 3370, 3375,3380, 3400, 3440, 3600, 3870, 4380, 4400, 4450, 4480, 5192*, 5300, 5350†, 5370†, 5375†, 5400*, 5450, 5480*
* These courses typically have variable content and may be taken multiple times, each time counting as a new and separate course, so long as the course content is different.
† These courses sometimes have variable content, in which case they may be taken multiple times. Check with instructor for permission to take a second time.
3013*, 3040, 3060, 3085, 3086, 3100, 3110, 3120, 3130, 3810, 4140, 5040, 5060, 5100, 5110, 5120*, 5145, 5193*, 5360
* These courses typically have variable content and may be taken multiple times, each time counting as a new and separate course, so long as the course content is different.
3200, 3210, 5200, 5210, 5220
Additional Requirements
At least three courses of the total 36 units must come from the 5000-level (or higher). These advanced courses do at the same time satisfy an Area Requirement, as indicated in the above requirements. (Note: the Advanced Course Requirement may not be satisfied by "independent study" coursework.)
Majors must take the Senior Seminar, Phil 4010. Students need not wait till their senior year to take this course, though it is aimed at advanced majors.
The minimum prerequisites for taking the Senior Seminar are that the student have already completed at least one course from each of Areas I, II, and III, in the Area Requirement table above.
Note: Senior Seminar satisfies the University Advanced Writing Requirement.
The Grade Requirement has three parts.
- Only coursework taken for a letter grade will contribute to the above requirements; CR/NC coursework will not count.
- No individual course receiving a grade lower than C- will count for any of the above requirements.
- The overall grade-point average (GPA) for courses meeting the above requirements must be at least 2.00.
Various of the above requirements may, in special cases, and with approval, be satisfied with transfer credit.
Advanced Course Requirement and the Seminar Requirement must be satisfied by course work completed at the University of Utah.
Students elect the particular courses (from each of the major requirement area) they wish to take.
Those who are just starting the degree should begin taking courses of interest, in each of the four areas, beginning with courses at the 3000 or 4000-level.
Here are three guidelines for which courses to take and in which order:
- First, it is generally a good idea to take courses from multiple Areas at once, rather than focusing on courses only from
one Area: following this advice will make it easier, in your final year, to complete any leftover
coursework that you have yet to complete.
- We do not offer all of these courses, each semester, however, we do make a point -- each fall and spring -- to offer a mix of courses from each of the four Areas, at both the 3000 or 4000-level and at the 5000-level.
- Second, we tend to offer the most courses in Area I, and the fewest in Area III; so it would be unwise to wait on taking Area III courses--in case the few offerings in play, in your final semester, don't provide the flexibility you need.
- Third, as for prerequisites, before taking any 5000-level course students must have completed at least one 3000 or 4000-level course from that same Area; exceptions must be approved by the instructor of the 5000-level course.
Beyond these guidelines, take whatever looks interesting to you. If you need further guidance, please see the advisor.
If meeting the major requirements brings your total to 36 units, you need not take any further courses in philosophy.
Otherwise, an elective course will be needed to bring the total to 36.
Every course the philosophy department offers counts towards the Elective Requirement.
Note the following two kinds of courses count only towards the elective requirement and do not fulfill major requirements.
- All lower division courses count as electives (i.e., 1000 level and 2000 level courses).
- The four specifically religion-oriented courses we offer: Phil 3610 (Religions of
India), Phil 3620 (Religions of China and Japan), Phil 3630 (Buddhist Thought), and
Phil 3640 (World Religions).
- Since these courses are not primarily philosophical in content, they do not count towards any of our specific philosophy requirements, but they do count for the Elective Requirement. The historical explanation of why the philosophy department offers these courses is that U of U did not have a Religion Department, the natural home for such courses. Though the U of U does now have a Religious Studies program, PHIL continues to teach these courses. Note that Phil 3600 (Philosophy of Religion) is a philosophy course, and it meets the Area II requirement.
You may, of course, take more than just one elective. Doing so will enhance your philosophical education. Additional electives will count towards the total number of units needed for the University Baccalaureate Degree requirements.
Philosophy majors develop superior reasoning and analytical skills, helping explain why philosophers majors excel on such Grad School entrance exams as the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, and GMAT. Employers value problem solving skills, along with an aptitude for clear expression of ideas (both spoken and written).
- Legal Professional
- Business Professional
- Professor
- Policy Analysis
- Mental Health Professional
- Medical Professional