What Is a Philosophy Major?
The philosophy major at UW is fundamentally about learning to think well. Sound, logical
thinking is the foundation of effective writing and speaking, which students will
practice during their course of study.
Drawn from ancient Greek, the word philosophy literally means the love (Philo-) of
wisdom (Sophia). Thus philosophy has long been associated with the art of living well
in all spheres of life, career and otherwise. UW philosophy majors will learn to examine
both ancient and contemporary texts, as they probe some of life's deepest questions
and apply what they discover to their own lives.
Dive deeper into what it means to study philosophy and how it shapes our understanding of the human experience.
Critical thinking skills: The cornerstone of philosophy is the ability to reason and to think critically, logically
and come to conclusions based on reasoning. This skill is learned and practiced throughout
the entire program.
Understand concepts of right, wrong, good and bad; understand moral principles and
their application in everyday life: A practical understanding which grounds students and prepares them for applications
in professional and personal life.
Read and interpret philosophical texts: Reading texts and interpreting them is fundamental to all philosophy classes. Using
original texts by ancient and modern philosophers, combined with textbooks and other
literature as assigned, skill at accurate interpretation and analysis is developed.
Recognize, express and analyze arguments in philosophical texts: This is a critical skill to develop in all students, regardless of the program, but
is especially important for philosophy students. Students must be able to extract
arguments from philosophical texts and from the world around them.
Skill in summarizing and explaining difficult ideas and concepts: This goes hand in hand with the prior outcome. It is achieved through analysis and
critical thinking and student practice in class discussions, presentations and argumentation.
Furthermore, the ability to distill complicated information into a more easily digestible
form has applications in every field and profession.
Writing that reflects careful attention to language, logic and subtleties of reasoning: A writing-intensive major, students are taught skills as to how to write concisely
and clearly, as well as how to thoroughly analyze subject matter.
Write philosophical essays that have coherent theses and reasonable supporting arguments: The ability to craft arguments that are both logical and reasonably supported by
evidence is a crucial skill for the modern philosopher.
Learning to understand reality from different perspectives and thus understand that
different people will define issues in different ways: The ability to separate the self from one's frame of reference is a critical skill
in the modern world and encourages both empathy and the willingness to engage with
the world from different standpoints.
Skill in research methodology: Research methodology includes learning to utilize online resources as well as those
located at libraries for conducting philosophical research. It involves learning the
standards for citation and bibliographies, abstracts and prospectus writing. Most
importantly, research methodology teaches students how to pick an appropriate topic,
in subject and length, for various academic and professional projects.
Philosophy Minor
Philosophy provides the critical thinking, logical reasoning and innovative problem-solving skills necessary to be competitive in law, business, academia, tech, arts and government. If you're interested in philosophy, consider adding a philosophy minor to your primary degree!
Learn MoreWhat Can You Do With a Philosophy Degree?
A philosophy degree sharpens critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills. Graduates from the UW philosophy program thrive in law, education, business, public policy, writing, tech ethics and more—any field that values deep analysis and clear reasoning!
- Academia
- Business
- Cognitive science
- Computer science
- Consulting
- Education
- Engineering
- Finance
- Government
- Graduate study
- Insurance
- Journalism
- Law
- Marketing
- Medicine
- Publishing
- Real estate
- Religious ministry
- Research
- Sales
- Technical writing
Absolutely! Our rigorous and thought-provoking program provides excellent preparation for a wide range of graduate studies. In fact, many of our graduates have gone on to pursue further education at prestigious institutions, including:
- University of Wyoming
- Colorado State University
- University of Wisconsin
- University of Texas
If you think that the only use you can put a philosophy degree to is by sitting on a mountain and contemplating your navel—think again! A degree in philosophy will train you for the rigors of almost any demanding job, whether in academia, law, business or any number of other areas that require written, verbal or reasoning skills.
Yes! A philosophy degree is excellent preparation for law school. The courses in our program hone critical thinking, logical reasoning and strong writing skills. Notably, philosophy majors often score among the highest on the LSAT.
Stoic Camp: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Reflection
Stoic Camp has become a much-anticipated and deeply meaningful experience for philosophy students at UW. This unique mountain retreat invites you to engage with ancient Stoic texts through small group discussions, larger conversations and guest speaker sessions. Set in beautiful Centennial, WY, the camp combines serious reflection with outdoor adventures, such as hiking, bonfires and sunrise meditation inspired by Marcus Aurelius. It's a chance to explore what it truly means to live with intention and purpose.
