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 — Sure, when alum John Kaag’s mother forced him to take philosophy lessons from his Latin teacher in high school, he might not have imagined he'd pursue a career in philosophy. But he definitely didn't imagine he'd co-found an AI-driven website that allows you to read classic books alongside literary experts, including "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau.
PHILOSOPHY, ENGLISH — During “AI and the Humanities,” a panel discussion featuring professors from the University of Oregon explored the impact of AI. The panel was sponsored by the Oregon Humanities Center as part of the center’s 40th anniversary events on the topic of “Humanities Matter(s).” From their in-depth discussion, came five key takeaways about AI.
PHILOSOPHY - Pigeons and AI share something in common: They can’t care about patients. In Ramón Alvarado’s latest paper published in the American Journal of Bioethics, he and co-author Nicolae Morar, a bioethicist and environmental philosopher at the UO, underscore that health care isn’t just about finding results. It's about actually caring for patients. That’s a level of engagement from providers not easily replicated by a machine.

 

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Department of History Coffee Hour
Jan6
Department of History Coffee Hour Jan 6 McKenzie Hall
Irish Ecomedia: Empire and Environmental Justice in the Modernization of Postcolonial Ireland
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Irish Ecomedia: Empire and Environmental Justice in the Modernization of Postcolonial Ireland Jan 8 Knight Library
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Considerations for Composing Poetry in Indigenous Languages—Native American and Indigenous Studies Research Colloquium Jan 12 Many Nations Longhouse
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Department of History Coffee Hour
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Department of History Coffee Hour Jan 13 McKenzie Hall
Part-Time Job & Work-Study Fair
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Part-Time Job & Work-Study Fair Jan 14 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Portland Internship Experience (PIE) 2026 Virtual Info-Session
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Portland Internship Experience (PIE) 2026 Virtual Info-Session Jan 14
Filmlandia Screening Series: "The Shining"
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Filmlandia Screening Series: "The Shining" Jan 14 Lawrence Hall
Department of History Coffee Hour
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Department of History Coffee Hour Jan 20 McKenzie Hall
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Dept. of History Seminar Series: "What is the History of Information? A Case Study of the United States in 1920" Jan 20 McKenzie Hall

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