Philosophers critically analyze ideas and practices that often are assumed without reflection, asking the questions that are of basic importance to the human experience: What is a good life? What is reality? How can we know anything? What should we believe? How should our societies be organized?
Philosophers at Wesleyan approach such subjects with tools from a range of traditions of inquiry and offer a wide variety of perspectives on the deep and perplexing questions that are central to the study of philosophy. Many Wesleyan undergraduates have gone on to pursue careers in philosophy and related fields.
What You'll Study
Philosophy courses are divided into three broad subject areas.
- Historical courses focus on philosophical texts, whether within a period, across periods or traditions, or by a single philosopher.
- Courses in the value area address ethical, political, aesthetic, cultural, or religious practices and norms.
- Mind and reality courses look at issues related to language, mind, reasoning, knowledge, and the nature of reality.
As a philosophy major at Wesleyan, you'll choose between two tracks: the general philosophy track, which exposes students to a range of issues and approaches from various historical periods in both the East and the West, and the social justice track, which allows students to develop philosophical skills to address questions of human rights, equality, and social responsibility.
