Ponder questions that delve into the most profound aspects of the human experience. Major in philosophy to develop critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts
Major, Minor
124
4 Years
Salem
Balancing her pre-health education with a philosophy major prepared Lisa Oakley '04 to take on the COVID pandemic at a societal level. A liberal arts approach helped her find a field that combined her interests and strengths -- and led her to the front lines of a public health crisis.
As a member of the CDC's elite Epidemic Intelligence Service, Lisa investigates public health threats, keeping humans at the center of her work. She has worked with specific communities and researched the effects of different health crises on the day to day lives of real people.
Our alumni have gone on to become lawyers, journalists, software engineers, professors, diplomats, and doctors. They've served as an Oregon Supreme Court Justice and reported for NPR. Learn how our graduates have made an impact in the world.
How the Liberal Arts and Silicon Valley can go hand-in-hand.
Michael Diamond, a Willamette graduate with a double degree in Computer Science and Philosophy, navigates the complexities of software engineering with skills honed from his interdisciplinary education. Part of his journey includes helping build a self-driving car.
Philosophy to Public Health: Lisa Oakley's Journey
Lisa Oakley '14, a Willamette alumna with a background in philosophy and pre-health studies, serves on the front lines of public health as a member of the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service. Oakley's journey highlights the value of interdisciplinary education.
Connect with professors one-on-one through mentorship, small class sizes, and even research projects. Our faculty members have explored concepts, published works, and brought new ideas into the classroom. Discuss theories, debate sides, and even prepare for graduate programs with their assistance.
Dr. Anthony Coleman acts as the Department Chair for Philosophy. His expertise in the field provides students with an intellectually robust, professional setting to learn and grow.
Dr. Randall Havas is a distinguished scholar known for his work on Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Dostoevsky. His focus as an author and educator delves into philosophical explorations of existentialism, the Self, and the works of key thinkers.
Dr. Ivan Welty is an active philosopher whose publications explore diverse topics such as analysis of color, and conceptions of free will. With a commitment to rigorous inquiry, he actively challenges students in their refinement of intellectual ideas and pursuits.
Philosophy is a core component of a liberal arts education, with deep ties to other disciplines. Small class sizes balance argument with imagination and rigor to help you develop superior critical thinking skills. Explore existentialism, theories of knowledge, and the philosophy of language through our degree.
An examination of major philosophical views about right and wrong, with attention to points of contact with economics and political economy. Readings will include both historical and contemporary texts. Assignments culminate in a case study.
An introduction to the works of the chief figures of modern existentialism: Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre. Emphasis on how existentialism endeavors to overcome traditional dualities of subject and object, mind and world, reason and passion, and fact and value.
Our Philosophy program requires 36 semester hours to complete the major, with a total of 124 credit hours required to complete the degree. These hours will consist of PHIL 140 Symbolic Logic, PHIL 230 History of Philosophy: Ancient Greece, PHIL 231 History of Philosophy: Modern, one capstone course taken in combination with PHIL 498W, and 20 semester hours in Philosophy where at least 12 semester hours are at the 200 level or above.
Students pursuing a Philosophy minor will need to complete 20 semester hours in Philosophy. These hours will consist of 12 semester hours in Philosophy at the 200 level or above and 8 additional semester hours in Philosophy.
Our Philosophy program is open to first-year students, transfer students, and international students. Learn more about Willamette’s undergraduate admissions process to get started.
Willamette University is committed to supporting Philosophy majors with generous merit scholarships and financial aid. There is no separate application required for these scholarships. All admitted undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, starting at $28,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, taking into account cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT scores, if provided.
Willamette University