Philosophy

Overview

Philosophy is the attempt to think carefully, critically and systematically about the most challenging questions that face humanity. It is the oldest academic discipline, with roots that trace to ancient Greece and to thinkers who asked probing questions about themselves and the world around them. Philosophy is called, “the queen of the sciences” because every major academic discipline—from math to psychology—was part of philosophy at one time.

At SIUE, philosophy classes are centered on discussion to foster active participation. Students will learn to:

Solve complex problems
Generate ideas
Communicate clearly
Respond to others
Adapt to change
Think creatively

Philosophical questions students will encounter during their coursework include:

What does it mean for us to say that we know something is true?
What does it mean to live well?
What are persons, minds, and bodies, and how are they related?
Should we fear death?
Can wars ever be just?
Why do we punish people?
Do human beings have free will?
Is it wrong to tell jokes about race or gender?
Is it ever morally permissible to lie?
Is science compatible with religion?

What can I do with a degree in philosophy?

The focus on clear thinking and writing prepares students for a wide range of careers, including:

Law
Medicine
Bioethics
Finance
Diplomacy
Journalism
Public relations
Business

Since philosophy engages many of the methods, assumptions and fundamental questions that underlie other areas of study, majoring in philosophy can deepen one’s understanding of the subject matter in another major. The relatively modest number of hours required for a degree in philosophy also makes it easier to pair with other majors.

Philosophy students tend to score higher on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and the verbal and analytical writing portions of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) than students from other majors and are among the highest scorers on the Graduate Management Test (GMAT).

Philosophy as Pre-Law Preparation

Students are admitted to law school from a wide variety of academic disciplines. The American Bar Association (ABA) recommends pursuing an area of study that interests you and that helps you develop a strong skill set in problem solving, critical reading, writing, oral communication and research. Law schools judge applicants based upon their diversity of experiences, GPA and LSAT scores.

The philosophy major offers excellent preparation for law school because it excels at teaching the skills that students will use in law school and in legal professions. The BA in philosophy with a law specialization is designed to guide students toward curricular decisions that will facilitate their future success in law school and in subsequent legal professions.

Students aspiring to law school may also wish to complete the pre-law minor. Students completing the BA in philosophy with a law specialization will need to complete five additional courses outside of philosophy for the pre-law minor.

Other programs of study correlated with high law school acceptance rates and high LSAT scores include economics, English, history and political science. These may be combined with the philosophy major as either a second major or a minor.