Major or Minor in Philosophy

Philosophical reflection encourages you to seek the truth, no matter what your investments in a situation. As a philosophy major at Duquesne University, you will ask big questions about yourself, your surroundings and the larger world—questions like “What is thinking, and what are its limits?” “Is language a social intervention, an innate ability or an imitation of nature?” “Is there a God, and what is God like?” “How should we organize our society?” “Why are there inequalities, and is justice only the law of the stronger?” “Are mind and body one thing, two things or many?” “Are standards of beauty objective, or do they depend on the observer?”

As a student in our philosophy program, you will cultivate the art of thinking and engage deeply in the history of philosophy so as to develop a competency powerfully to engage diverse intellectual positions on all issues pertaining to human existence. The philosophy faculty walk alongside you as you develop a broad understanding of diverse philosophical positions to aid in your future success, regardless of path or industry.

What can you do with a philosophy degree?

Philosophy majors distinguish themselves as leaders in academia, medicine, politics, journalism, public relations, finance, public interest research, ministry, law, business and education. Paired with Duquesne’s broad liberal arts approach, a philosophy degree provides you with a valuable skillset of problem-solving, careful thinking, analytical clarity, critical precision, clear presentation of complex ideas and innovative thinking that can be applied to any career path.

Duquesne’s philosophy department is unique in that they have one of the largest phenomenology centers in the US. The faculty nurture individual thought through primary literature and recommend that students publish and their papers at academic conferences. The level of individual mentorship is nearly impossible to find elsewhere and has added immense value to my academic career.