About this major

Philosophy explores fundamental and important questions such as 'How am I to live?', 'What do I know?', and 'Why should I care?' Cultivate critical thinking and intellectual perspectives crucial for adapting to fast-changing social, political and academic environments. Learn to think precisely, deliberate carefully, and communicate ideas in vivid and persuasive ways.

Through this major you will develop skills that are fundamental to success in other academic disciplines and in the workplace, such as the ability to identify the essential points of a position, policy or practice; the ability to clarify underlying issues in a debate; precision of thought and expression; clarity and rigor in assessment of arguments and the ability to make rationally persuasive cases.

Learn to engage critically with a wide variety of historical and contemporary texts, identify and formulate philosophical problems and assess proposed answers to them. As a Philosophy student you will become adept at discerning and formulating conceptual distinctions and will be able to wield them usefully, both in the study of philosophy and in wider intellectual engagements.

This major teaches sensitivity in interpretation and cultural competence through study of a variety of ages and traditions. You will learn intellectual honesty and fairness by evaluating arguments carefully, and will discuss matters of the highest importance without recourse to insult or susceptibility to take offense.

For more information on the program structure and content including unit of study information, please refer to the Arts and Social Sciences Handbook.

This minor is offered by the Discipline of Philosophy.