History

Our history

Since the founding of our department in 1820, Philosophy has been part of the Indiana University curriculum. Philosophy was recognized as a regular senior course of study in 1829, with a focus on natural religion, moral philosophy, and logic. In 1874, a Department of Mental, Moral, and Political Philosophy was created. Shortly thereafter, Philosophy was available as an area of major concentration. In the late nineteenth century, the department began to offer graduate instruction leading to the M.A. By the turn of the century, there was an autonomous Department of Philosophy in the College of Liberal Arts.

The curriculum of the Department of Philosophy narrowed as other departments emerged. A separate Department of Psychology was formed in 1930, and in 1960 the university established an independent Department of History and Philosophy of Science.

Our current faculty conducts research on a broad range of subjects. They study the history of philosophy; problems in social and political philosophy, ethics and aesthetics; logic and the application of logical and mathematical techniques and results to philosophical issues; and assorted issues in metaphysics and epistemology.

Find more information about our past and present, and some of the things that make us unique.

A Walk Down Philosopher's Path

A picture gallery of our courtyard

Our benefactors

A page to acknowledge and thank our many benefactors, whose gifts and bequests have greatly benefited our department.

History of the Indiana University Philosophy Department in Bloomington: The Years 1929–65

A droll and insightful personal memoir by the late Henry Veatch, a long-time member of the department. Delightful reading!

Homenaje al filósofo Héctor-Neri Castañeda

On September 7, 1991, our colleague Héctor-Neri Castañeda died of brain cancer. A few weeks before his death, he returned to visit his native Guatemala, where a coin and a stamp were issued bearing his likeness and a park and school were named after him. Among the honors bestowed on him at that time, this song was composed and performed: Homenaje al filósofo Héctor-Neri Castañeda.