Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

University of Delaware

Plato coined the word 'philosopher' to refer to a 'lover of wisdom'. As a discipline, philosophy seeks to understand the world and our relation to it by examining and scrutinizing the foundational assumptions that lie behind our everyday thinking. Philosophy asks big questions: What fundamentally exists Are there any moral truths Is free will possible Can machines think What is a scientific law Which forms of government are best Is there a God But perhaps more than any specific set of questions or ideas, philosophy is about the love of critical and creative thinking, intelligent discussion and cogent argument. Since these skills are vital in every field, philosophical tools and training can be useful for students of virtually any subject. Students with a special interest in legal careers have the option of selecting the department’s philosophy and law concentration. Philosophy majors tend to score highest on the GRE, MCAT and LSAT exams, and many have gone on to successful careers in a variety of fields.Develop a good understanding of the central topics (ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, logic) of philosophy and the history of philosophical inquiry into those topics. Understand the methods of philosophical inquiry: a. How philosophical analyses and theories are developed, defended, and criticized. b. How to recognize and evaluate the logical structure of reasoning in philosophical and other work. Interpret, analyze, and evaluate philosophical texts identify, analyze, and evaluate the philosophical content in other kinds of writing. Engage honestly and respectfully with opposing views, inviting and anticipating challenges to one’s own views, and responding constructively to those challenges.

• Philosophy and Religion
• Philosophy and the Law

College of Arts and Sciences