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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IRES Presents: “Displaced Practices of Discursive Change Circulations of Social Justice Ephemeralities within a Leather Bar Context”
Feb20
IRES Presents: “Displaced Practices of Discursive Change Circulations of Social Justice Ephemeralities within a Leather Bar Context” Feb 20 Ford Alumni Center
Anthropology Day Party
Feb20
Anthropology Day Party Feb 20 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
NILI Presents: Film Screening and Q&A
Feb20
NILI Presents: Film Screening and Q&A Feb 20 Art House Theater
"Much Ado About Nothing"
Feb20
"Much Ado About Nothing" Feb 20 Robinson Theatre
"Much Ado About Nothing"
Feb21
"Much Ado About Nothing" Feb 21 Robinson Theatre
"Much Ado About Nothing"
Feb22
"Much Ado About Nothing" Feb 22 Robinson Theatre
Documentary Screening and Discussion - "The General: Vietnam in The Age of To Lam"
Feb23
Documentary Screening and Discussion - "The General: Vietnam in The Age of To Lam" Feb 23 Knight Library
Anthropology Colloquium Series: “Of ‘Storied’ Pots and Their Unknown Potters: The Organization of Craft Production in Ancient Igbo Ukwu (9th-15th Century CE), Southeastern Nigeria"
Feb23
Anthropology Colloquium Series: “Of ‘Storied’ Pots and Their Unknown Potters: The Organization of Craft Production in Ancient Igbo Ukwu (9th-15th Century CE), Southeastern Nigeria" Feb 23 Condon Hall
Department of History Coffee Hour
Feb24
Department of History Coffee Hour Feb 24 McKenzie Hall
Creative Writing Presents: Kidd Creative Writing Workshop Info Session
Feb24
Creative Writing Presents: Kidd Creative Writing Workshop Info Session Feb 24 Alder Building

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