Philosophy
Contemplate life, meaning and human experience.
Through philosophy, we weigh fundamental questions about the nature of reality and our place within it. In Alma’s philosophy program, you will:
- Survey the major ideas that have shaped Western and non-Western thought.
- Examine how our values inform moral judgments, especially in regard to controversial contemporary issues such as capital punishment, racism and sexism.
- Analyze arguments and practice logical and ethical reasoning.
At A Glance
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12:1Student-to-faculty ratio
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18Average class size
Possible Careers
Contemplate life, meaning and human experience.
Through philosophy, we weigh fundamental questions about the nature of reality and our place within it. In Alma’s philosophy program, you will:
- Survey the major ideas that have shaped Western and non-Western thought.
- Examine how our values inform moral judgments, especially in regard to controversial contemporary issues such as capital punishment, racism and sexism.
- Analyze arguments and practice logical and ethical reasoning.
Get to Know Philosophy
Meet the Faculty
The Alma Venture
Dream it, learn it, do it. Through our Venture program, you can design a unique, hands-on learning experience at home or abroad. Find out more about the Alma Venture.
Explore the Curriculum
Learn more about the fundamental courses that will offer a roadmap for your academic growth and expertise development.
Ask questions. Find answers.
Why are we here? What does it mean to know something? What are our responsibilities as humans? As a philosophy major, you’ll explore how some of the greatest minds in history have approached these questions.
You’ll also build a framework for answering them for yourself. You’ll learn to think critically, evaluate a subject from multiple perspectives and debate, reason and defend your position. And you’ll use those skills to take a nuanced look at some of the most polarizing issues we grapple with today, among them gun control, abortion and euthanasia.
What You Need to Know
As a philosophy student, you’ll develop versatile intellectual skills that provide excellent preparation for many different roles. Some of our alumni choose to continue studying philosophy at the graduate level and forge academic careers. Many go on to law school, where the ability to analyze and present arguments proves invaluable.
Regardless of your path, your philosophy major will offer a solid foundation for work in any field, from government and law to education and business.
Get Connected
Student Organizations
Get involved in student government, hone your language skills or learn to ski. However you like to spend your time, there’s a place for you in one of our 100+ student organizations!
