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The College of Arts & Sciences

Department of Philosophy

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Think for yourself

Philosophy considers foundational problems concerning 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.

Explore Philosophy

The examined life

Philosophy wakes us up. It asks us to think about ourselves and the world without preconceptions. It asks us not just how we do live, but how we ought to live. It asks where we fit into the natural world and how we should treat each other. It commits us to critical reflection, not just for a season, but for everything a life can encompass.  

Philosophy majors, not coincidentally, are successful: They ace admissions tests for law school, graduate school, business school, and medical school. Their acceptance rates for medical and law school are outstanding, and IU Philosophy majors rank fourth among 48 IUB College of Arts and Science majors in starting salary.

What is philosophy? Why study philosophy?

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. 

Undergraduate courses
Undergraduate curricular pathways
Graduate courses

Our degree programs

We offer a B.A. in Philosophy, two interdepartmental B.A.s, Philosophy and Religious Studies, and Philosophy and Political Science, a general minor in Philosophy, a minor in Ethics, a minor in Philosophy of the Arts, and a minor in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition. We have many double majors and Philosophy minors are a popular addition to majors in other disciplines. Our graduate program admits students for the Ph.D. in Philosophy and offers a coursework only M.A. that is restricted to students who have already been admitted to a graduate program at Indiana University.   

Explore our undergraduate programs Learn about our graduate degrees

Faculty research + community

Our faculty are internationally recognized scholars and teachers who represent a broad array of interests. We are dedicated to creating a welcoming community and supportive environment for all students and to promoting intellectual growth, breadth of vision, and depth of understanding.

Meet our faculty
Learn about our research
Read our Statement of Values

Undergraduate research + community

Our department emphasizes developing the ability for rigorous, original, and creative thought.  We challenge our students from the start to think for themselves about the deepest philosophical problems. The Philosophy Club runs an undergraduate journal for research and an active schedule of discussions of philosophical issues. Many of our majors undertake independent research on an honors thesis with a member of the faculty. 

Learn about undergraduate research Learn about our undergraduate community

Graduate research + community

The graduate program focuses on philosophical and professional development. Our graduate students present research at national and international conferences, and publish in top journals such as The Journal of Philosophy, Hypatia, Philosophical Studies, Kantian Review, Synthese, The Canadian Journal of Philosophy, and Erkenntnis, among others, as well as book chapters with presses such as Oxford, Cambridge and Routledge. Our graduate student community is inclusive and supportive; activities include a graduate colloquium series, reading groups, and frequent social events. 

Learn about graduate research Learn about our graduate community

Events

Mar

22

Phil Club Meeting

Starts at 5 p.m.

TBA

-

Mar

24

Philosophy Department Tea Time

3 p.m.—4 p.m.

Sycamore Hall

-

Mar

24

Lecture | Matthew Andler: “What’s Special about Sexual Orientation”

4 p.m.—6:30 p.m.

Woodburn Hall

-

Mar

31

Philosophy Department Tea Time

3 p.m.—4 p.m.

Sycamore Hall

-

Apr

07

Philosophy Department Tea Time

3 p.m.—4 p.m.

Sycamore Hall

-

See more events

News

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Philosophy Students Elected to Phi Beta Kappa 2023

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Philosophy Major in Student Spotlight

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Philosophy Students Elected to Phi Beta Kappa 2022

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Milton T. Fisk Memorial

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Philosophy Graduate is Alumni Award Winner

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Tweets by @IUBPhilosophy

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The College of Arts & Sciences

  • About
    • Statement of Values
    • Minorities and Philosophy (MAP)
    • History
      • Philosopher’s Path
      • In Memoriam
    • About Bloomington
  • Directory
    • Faculty
    • Adjunct Faculty
    • Emeriti Faculty
    • Staff
    • Graduate Students
  • Undergraduate
    • Why Study Philosophy?
    • Majors & Minors
      • Philosophy B.A.
      • Philosophy & Political Science B.A.
      • Philosophy & Religious Studies B.A.
      • Philosophy Minor
      • Ethics Minor
      • Philosophy of the Arts Minor
      • Philosophy of Mind and Cognition Minor
    • Courses
    • Curricular Pathways
      • Introductory Courses
      • Courses for Premed Students
      • Courses for Prelaw Students
      • Courses for Non-Majors
      • Intellectual Areas
      • Graduate School Pathways
    • Honors Program
    • Advising
    • Research Opportunities
    • Funding Opportunities
    • Scholarships & Awards
    • Student Activities & Experience
    • Career Preparation
      • Career Advising
      • Internships
      • Graduate School
      • Law, Medicine, + Business
    • Careers for Philosophy Students
  • Graduate
    • Philosophy Ph.D.
    • Philosophy Ph.D. Minors
    • Philosophy M.A.
    • Research Strengths + Graduate Courses
    • Funding Opportunities
    • Dissertations & Theses
    • Job Placement
    • Student Experience
    • How to Apply
  • Research
    • Faculty Research Areas
      • Metaphysics and Epistemology
      • Logic and Language
      • Mind
      • Value
      • History
      • Science
    • Books
    • Journal Articles & Book Chapters
    • Editorial Work + Translations
    • Graduate Research
    • Undergraduate Research
    • Undergraduate Journal + Symposium
    • Research Opportunities
    • Resources
  • Alumni & Giving
    • Stay Involved
    • Our Benefactors
    • Newsletter Archive
  • News & Events
    • Departmental News
    • Award Winners
    • Colloquium Series
      • Archive
    • Philosophy in the News
  • Contact
  • Student Portal
    • Undergraduate
      • Philosophy B.A.
      • Philosophy & Political Science B.A.
      • Philosophy & Religious Studies B.A.
      • Minors
        • Minor in Philosophy
        • Minor in Philosophy of the Arts
        • Minor in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition
        • Minor in Ethics
      • Honors
    • Graduate
      • Philosophy Ph.D.
        • Areas & Subareas
        • Concentration Requirements
        • Distribution Requirements
        • Qualifying Exam
        • Candidacy
        • Dissertation
        • Graduation
      • Philosophy Ph.D. Minors
      • Philosophy M.A.
      • Funding
      • Forms
    • Courses