Philosophy

Intrigued by questions of justice, truth, freedom, or power? Interested in how these questions play out in race and gender differences, in colonial structures, and in our relation to animals and the environment? Do you wonder about the role of art and beauty in shaping how we approach the world and other people? Are you concerned about the ethical and political implications of recent developments in data, technology and the biomedical sciences? Are you interested in the nature of reality and the possibilities and limits of human knowledge? 

The Department of Philosophy at the University of Oregon is a leading pluralistic program for those seeking to engage with multiple philosophical perspectives in conversation with the history of philosophy. In undergraduate study in philosophy, we encourage our students to become engaged, reflective citizens, and lifelong learners while preparing them for careers in government, law, the non-profit sector, business, or higher education. Our graduate program produces first-rate scholars and teachers with a strong foundation in the history of philosophy, a well-rounded preparation in the diverse concerns of contemporary philosophy, and the skills to communicate effectively across different traditions and schools of thought.

What You Can Do with a Degree in Philosophy

Throughout our curriculum, we encourage students to become engaged, reflective citizens, and lifelong learners. Our alumni have launched successful careers in:

  • Business
  • Government
  • Higher education
  • Law
  • Nonprofit sector

Our Degree Programs

Our thriving undergraduate program includes a major and minor in philosophy, as well as a minor in ethics. We offer graduate programs leading to both master of arts and doctoral degrees.

Diana Libuda looks at a glass dish

Learn from Experts in the Field

Go deep with faculty who have strengths in a range of traditions and fields of focus. Students can work with specialists in ethics, environmental philosophy, feminist philosophy, and the philosophy of race, among others.

OIMB students at the beach on a field trip

Get Real-world Experience

Immerse yourself in another culture, develop vital job skills, or conduct original research on a topic that sparks your interest. Read original texts in the places they were written. We facilitate internships and study abroad opportunities, as well as exchange programs in Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, and Europe.

Scholarships and Funding

Students in the Philosophy department can seek funding through the College of Arts and Sciences, which awards various scholarships both to incoming students and to those already attending the UO. Graduate students may receive funding through graduate employment.

Undergraduate Scholarships  
Graduate Funding

Academic Support

Philosophy students can seek support from advisors in Tykeson Hall for help understanding their major or minor requirements, planning their course of study, exploring study abroad opportunities, and more.

Undergraduate Advising  
Support for Graduate Students

Philosophy News and Events

PHILOSOPHY - Camisha Russell, an associate professor of philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences at University of Oregon, has been named a Mellon Foundation New Directions Fellow  for 2024. Each year, approximately 12 scholars are selected for the prize, and Russell is the UO’s first faculty member to receive this honor.
ECONOMICS, GLOBAL STUDIES, PHILOSOPHY, POLITICAL SCIENCE - Two College of Arts and Sciences students — one attending an immersive Mandarin language study abroad and the other serving on a state of Oregon board on climate change and exploring Peru — are having life-transforming experiences.
INDIGENOUS, RACE AND ETHNIC STUDIES, PHILOSOPHY - Sensors collect data on all sorts of information, including gait consistency, body temperature, heart rate, and more. But where is the ethical line between using sensor data to help an athlete improve their performance—and even avoid injury—and that same data being used to sideline them or used as surveillance of behavior?

 

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Graduate School Fair 2024
Nov13
Graduate School Fair 2024 Nov 13 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
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Curious about Applying to Grad School? (Mini-Workshop) Nov 13 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
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From Secondary Burial to Eco-Coffins: Traditions and Trends in Funerary Cultures Nov 13
Let's Talk - Wednesdays Noon-2MP (Peterson Hall/Zoom)
Nov13
Let's Talk - Wednesdays Noon-2MP (Peterson Hall/Zoom) Nov 13 Peterson Hall
Curious about Applying to Grad School? (Mini-Workshop)
Nov13
Curious about Applying to Grad School? (Mini-Workshop) Nov 13 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Let’s Talk – Wednesdays 2PM-4PM (BCC/Zoom)
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Let’s Talk – Wednesdays 2PM-4PM (BCC/Zoom) Nov 13 Lyllye Reynolds-Parker Black Cultural Center
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How to Manage Stress, Rejection & the Haters in Your Midst Nov 14
Book Disciplines Workshop Series: Revising the Dissertation and Other First Book Problems
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Book Disciplines Workshop Series: Revising the Dissertation and Other First Book Problems Nov 14
Herchurch: Utopian Thinking at the Intersection of Feminism, Lutheranism, and Paganism
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Ascent to Europa: NASA’s Mission to Jupiter’s Ocean Moon Nov 14 Museum of Natural and Cultural History

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