Philosophy
Bachelor of Arts
(Faculty of Arts)
Philosophy asks fundamental questions about ourselves and the world:
“Is the mind distinct from the body?”
“Are values objective or just projections of our feelings?”
“Is there a God?”
“Can I know that there is a world outside my mind?"
"What is the nature of good?"
As an academic discipline, philosophy is commonly subdivided into areas such as ethics and political philosophy, aesthetics, epistemology (the theory of knowledge), metaphysics (the theory of reality or being), logic and the philosophy of logic, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, philosophy of religion, and the history of philosophy. Much of what was once considered a part of philosophy is now studied in the several disciplines of the natural and social sciences. Indeed, the history of philosophy is in many ways the history of Western thought. On the one hand, philosophy remains connected its history by continuing to investigate questions that concerned Plato and Aristotle 2,500 years ago; on the other, it remains in the forefront of the collective pursuit of knowledge by working on questions—for example, those concerning the relationship between minds and computers—that could not even have been formulated before the last century.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission applicants are required to present appropriate high school subjects and a competitive average.
Application/Document Deadlines
Why take this program?
Completing a BA in Philosophy will provide you with a greater understanding of the world around you. It will also help you to develop critical analytical skills that employers are looking for. Philosophy is a good preparation for almost any career.
Would you like to pursue graduate studies in Philosophy? An Honours degree in Philosophy prepares students for the rigors of graduate studies. Discover your passions in the field of Philosophy as you complete an Honours thesis/research project in your final year, which is supervised by a department member.
What will I study in my first year?
As a first year student it is recommended that you take Philosophy 203 or 249 in your first year. Philosophy 203 provides an introduction to such topics as perception, free will and God while Philosophy 249 provides an introduction to moral thought.You are encouraged to explore a variety of option courses in your first year that will compliment your studies in Philosophy. Many students take courses in second languages, and are encouraged to take courses from the faculties of Communication and Culture, Fine Arts, Science or Social Sciences. For example, you could look at human behaviour from another discipline by taking an introductory course in sociology. You could also take a Computer Science course to gain computer skills that employers love seeing on student’s résumés.
What will I study in later years?
As a senior student you will explore the array of philosophy courses including the history of philosophy, moral philosophy, legal social and political philosophy, metaphysics and the philosophy of the mind, logic, philosophy of language and epistemology and the philosophy of science.What can I do with this degree?
The great thing about studying a field in Humanities is that you’ll graduate with a number of marketable skills including:
- Abstraction
- Explanation
- Assessment
- Clear and precise communication
- Deductive reasoning
- Logic
- Informed decision making
- Persuasion
Graduates from the Philosophy program have a number of career options available to them in a variety of industries. Here is what some U of C grads have done with their Philosophy degree:
- Urban Planner
- Publisher
- Data Processor
- Command Post Signals Operator
- Television Producer
- Assistant Web Editor
- Barrister
To see a full list of potential skills, careers and industries available to you, visit the Career Services Career Profiles website (look under Philosophy).
Additional Information
Student Finance
