The word Philosophy is Greek for “love of wisdom.” Philosophy considers hard questions about the most familiar things in our lives and invites us to examine our convictions, beliefs, and prejudices. It emphasizes questioning assumptions, arguing logically, and thinking things through as completely as possible.
Undergraduate
Philosophy seeks to answer fundamental questions, including:
- How should we live? (ethics, social and political philosophy)
- What kind of world do we live in? (metaphysics)
- Who/what are we? (existentialism, metaphysics, philosophy of mind)
- What do we know? How do we know it? (epistemology, logic)
In addition, philosophy considers foundational questions about mind and body, freedom and responsibility, justice and fairness, morality, logic, mathematics, language, the natural and social sciences, art, and religion.
Our IUB Philosophy students explore both historical philosophers and contemporary, cutting-edge philosophical research. They don’t just learn about philosophy; they are trained to do philosophy. They acquire the skills needed for contemporary philosophical research.
For more than two thousand years, philosophy has been the central field for the systematic theoretical study of ethics and logic. IU offers a wide range of courses in both ethics and logic, ranging from the introductory up to the advanced level.
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Our degrees
Courses that explore big ideas
Philosophy courses explore big ideas and big questions with precision and rigor. We offer courses from the introductory to the graduate level across the entire range of philosophy for both majors and non-majors. We also have specially designed pathways for pre-med, pre-law, and graduate school.
Paths through the curriculum
We are part of the College of Arts + Sciences
A degree in Philosophy provides students with the foundational skills of a liberal arts education, which are prized by employers and vital to a 21st-century career.
Visit the College's websitePreparation for a meaningful career
Your degree will provide you with a diverse set of skills and knowledge, preparing you for a variety of work environments. We offer and encourage participation in internships.
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The College of Arts