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Philosophy

Bachelor of Arts

Degree Type:
B.A.
College:
College of Arts & Sciences
Department:
Philosophy

Learn to think rigorously and express ideas clearly.

As a Philosophy major at 麻豆社, you’ll develop an outlook on life that is broad and reflective — and be ready to engage thoughtfully in today’s complex world.

Studying philosophy gives you skills that are vital to any career. As you explore fundamental questions about the universe and human existence, and the ethical questions raised by emerging technology and pressing global issues, you’ll learn to see things from different points of view and how to analyze and resolve problems. A bachelor’s degree in philosophy is also excellent preparation for graduate education in medicine, law, and many other areas. Philosophy majors tend to do exceptionally well on graduate school entrance exams and possess skills of creative and critical thought that are valued highly by employers.

Immersive Internships

Put your philosophical thought into action with an internship experience, including with JCU’s own Philosophy 4 Kids program.

Undergraduate Research

Dig deeper into a specific philosophical question or ethical dilemma as part of your senior capstone experience. Work with a faculty mentor as you build essential research and writing skills.

  • Immersive Internships

    Put your philosophical thought into action with an internship experience, including with JCU’s own Philosophy 4 Kids program.

  • Undergraduate Research

    Dig deeper into a specific philosophical question or ethical dilemma as part of your senior capstone experience. Work with a faculty mentor as you build essential research and writing skills.

  • Campus Involvement

    Connect with other big thinkers on campus. The Philosophy Club engages in various social and educational events, from movie nights to informal discussions.

  • 59% of philosophy majors nationwide go on to earn an advanced degree (BLS, 2024)

  • 10% of lawyers studied philosophy at the undergraduate level (BLS, 2024)

  • 90% of students complete 2+ high-impact experiences, such as internships or service-learning

  • 14:1 Student-to-faculty ratio at JCU

Program Overview & Outcomes

With flexible course requirements, this versatile major can be customized to fit your academic and professional goals. Many of our students pursue a double major in areas such as peace, justice, and human rights; or gender, sexuality, and women’s studies.

When you major in philosophy at JCU, you will learn to:

  • Write and speak knowledgeably about the central problems in philosophy
  • Critically evaluate arguments and evidence
  • Creatively synthesize alternative perspectives

  • Contemporary Philosophy & Social Critique

    Pl2020

    PL2020

    Explores the work of 19th and 20th century French and German thinkers who addressed concrete problems of their day to promote societal emancipation.

    Existentialism & Phenomenology

    PL2023

    Main figures in the existential and phenomenological movements, such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Beauvoir, Merleau-Ponty, and Marcel.

    Pl2051

    PL2051

    Philosophical examination of the experiences and status of women, feminist movements in the world, the construction of gender, and the intersections between feminism, race, class, ability, age, and sexual orientation. Readings from feminist philosophers from a variety of regions in the world.

    Pl2052

    PL2052

    Critical exploration of how we think, speak, and practice the concepts of

    Pl2071

    PL2071

    Philosophical problems in education, such as the nature of knowledge, ways of learning, ethical issues in teaching, and the social-political dimensions of education. Special attention given to the role of artificial intelligence in education.

    Pl2072

    PL2072

    Study of classical and contemporary formulations of the concept of race, the nature of modern and contemporary racism, and contemporary constructions and experiences of racial identity in the U.S.

    Pl2073

    PL2073

    This course analyzes U.S. prisons from a human rights perspective, contrasts the U.S. with prison systems of other countries, and evaluates arguments favoring prison abolition.

    Pl2074

    PL2074

    Philosophical investigation of beauty and questions raised by art works, e.g., what is a work of art and what are aesthetic judgments?

  • Core Requirements

    Formal Logic

    PL2001

    Study of modern formal logic and its use in appraising the correctness of reasoning. Covers areas such as syllogisms, propositional logic, basic quantificational logic, basic modal logic, formal proofs, and informal fallacies.

    Pl3000

    PL3000

    Study and use of a variety of methods implemented in the conduct and scholarship of philosophy. Methods include: reading and writing of philosophy at the major and minor level, citation norms, research strategies, conference and presentation practices, and publication procedures. Prerequisite for PL 4000. Offered: Spring.

    Pl4000

    PL4000

    Pl4095

    PL4095

    Individual research project developed and written in consultation with appropriate faculty member. Ordinarily, topic approval will be secured during the spring semester of the student’s junior year, and the thesis will be written during the fall semester of senior year. Permission of instructor and Department Chair required. Prerequisite: EN 125 or 1250, PL 300 or 3000 (or equivalent).

  • Ethics & Values

    Pl2080

    PL2080

    Some of the most important contributions of philosophers to an understanding of the nature of morality and ethical reasoning. Readings of classic works in moral philosophy from the Greeks to the present.

    Pl2081

    PL2081

    Detailed examination of some of the major philosophical theories about the nature and justification of moral principles of rightness, obligation, and value. Special emphasis is given to the contemporary developments of such theories.

    Social & Political Philosophy

    3 Credits

    PL2082

    Nature and function of the state, the grounds of political obligation, and such related concepts as liberty, equality, and justice through an examination of major political thinkers in their historical context.

    Pl2083

    PL2083

    Exploration of theories concerning the nature of law. Special emphasis on the distinction between law and coercion and the relationship between law and morality. Elements of legal reasoning in case law, statutory interpretation, and constitutional adjudication will be discussed in addition to some fundamental aspects of legal liability.

    Pl2085

    PL2085

    The application of ethical concepts to some of the most pressing moral problems of today. Topics come from areas such as the environment, medicine, and law.

    Pl2086

    PL2086

    Application of ethical concepts to significant problems of business practice. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

    Pl2087

    PL2087

    Study of key ethical issues that arise in sports, starting with the fundamental concepts in sport philosophy and concluding with specific problems such as sportsmanship, gamesmanship, the nature of competition, and race and gender equality.

    Pl2088

    PL2088

    Examination of current theoretical and practical implications of medical care and biotechnology. Specific topics include death and end-of-life care; organ transplantation; genetic mapping and testing; aging and dementia; fertility and reproduction; access to health care; patient rights; and the roles of health-care providers.

    Pl2089

    PL2089

    Ethical questions and issues raised by artificial intelligence, its rapid growth, its applications, and its future.

    Pl2090

    PL2090

    Application of ethical considerations to humans' interactions with the environment. Topics include animal rights, climate change, future generations, and the moral status of living things.

    Pl2099

    PL2099

    In-depth study of specific philosophical theories and problems of a particular philosopher’s work.

  • History of Philosophy

    Pl2010

    PL2010

    Ancient Greek philosophical thought, with major emphasis on the works of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.

    Pl2011

    PL2011

    Medieval philosophy, including the thought of Augustine, Aquinas, and other major figures.

    Pl2012

    PL2012

    Medieval philosophy, including the thought of Augustine, Aquinas, and other major figures; also includes a component of logic. Offered at Borromeo Seminary.

    Pl2013

    PL2013

    History of early modern philosophy with special attention given to the beginnings of modern science and its impact on Western ideas about nature, knowledge, mind, and God. Readings include selections from Descartes to Kant.

    Pl2014

    PL2014

    Study of some of the major figures of the nineteenth century from Fichte through Nietzsche.

    Pl2015

    PL2015

    Study of some major movements and figures of the period, such as German Idealism, dialectical materialism, atheistic humanism, positivism, pragmatism, existentialism, and phenomenology. Offered at Borromeo Seminary.

    Pl2021

    PL2021

    Main philosophical and political-economic ideas of Karl Marx, and their reinterpretation by members of the twentieth-century

    Pl2022

    PL2022

    Pl2030

    PL2030

    History of American philosophy as it develops as an ethnophilosophy and through the works of key figures of such trends as Puritanism, Enlightenment, transcendentalism, and pragmatism.

    Pl2031

    PL2031

    Examination of the development, definition, and status of African philosophy, exploring both its unique cultural heritage and its relationship to themes of Western philosophy.

    Pl2032

    PL2032

    Exploration of Asian philosophical traditions such as Hinduism, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and Japanese philosophy. Also includes readings by contemporary comparative philosophers who study the similarities and differences among Asian philosophical traditions and between Asian and Western philosophies.

    Pl2040

    PL2040

    Study of some of the leading figures in British and American analytic philosophy, including Moore, Russell, Wittgenstein, and Quine.

    Pl2070

    PL2070

    Exploration of themes and problems in philosophy since 1950, including an investigation of the very nature and definition of the philosophical enterprise. May include readings from analytic, Continental, post-modern, and neo-pragmatist philosophers.

  • Metaphysics & Epistemology

    Pl2041

    PL2041

    Major philosophical problems raised by science: the nature of scientific inference, the structure of scientific theories, causality, explanation, scientific change, and the role of values in science.

    Pl2042

    PL2042

    The nature of mind and its role in our understanding of persons and their actions. Topics include the mind-body problem, artificial intelligence, consciousness, animal minds, personal identity, and free will.

    Pl2043

    PL2043

    Implications of linguistic experience beginning with a survey of the main historical approaches to the meaning of language. Consideration of special problems such as sense and reference; thought and language; sign, symbol, and metaphor; linguistics and logic.

    Pl2044

    PL2044

    Attempt to understand what kinds of things there are in the world through the question of Being and related concepts of existence, thing, property, event, matter, mind, space, time, and causality.

    Pl2045

    PL2045

    Examination of the nature and sources of knowledge and the means for establishing knowledge claims. Readings from classic works and contemporary writers.

    Pl2098

    PL2098

    In-depth study of specific philosophical theories and problems or of a particular philosopher’s work.

  • Philosophy of Religion

    Pl2060

    PL2060

    Philosophical problems of religion, such as the nature and ground of religious beliefs, the nature of religious experience, the relation of religion and science, the existence of God, immortality, and evil.

    Pl2062

    PL2062

    Exploration of the existence and attributes of God as knowable by reason alone. Includes discussion of religious experience, the relationship of faith and reason, and the problem of evil. Offered at Borromeo Seminary.

    Pl2064

    PL2064

    Philosophical reflection on some fundamental and enduring questions about humans and their relationship to the universe. Includes readings from classical and contemporary sources. Offered at Borromeo Seminary.

    Pl2066

    PL2066

    Consideration of the

  • Professional Development

    Cas Professional Development

    0 Credits

    CE2001

    A series of online modules, workshops, and career-related experiences to practice, polish, and perfect professional skills necessary in securing internships, research experiences, entry into graduate and professional schools, and post-graduation jobs.

Related Programs

Still deciding on your program of study at JCU or considering a second major? Here are some other academic areas to explore.

Complementary Minors

  • “I love being a Philosophy major at John Carroll because it constantly challenges me to think deeply about life’s most important questions while sharpening my reasoning and writing skills.”

    Carson J. Essad '27

Where Our Alumni Go

Our alumni use their critical thinking, reasoning, and writing skills in careers of all kinds. Some continue on to graduate and professional school, ultimately entering the fields of medicine, law, or academia.

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