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

Through fellowships, the Oregon Humanities Center at the University of Oregon works to promote innovative humanities research produced by faculty members at the UO. The fellowships are for tenure-track faculty and are awarded on an annual basis. The 2025-26 fellows include CAS faculty members in the Divisions of Humanities and Social Sciences.
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.

 

All news »


Coffee Shop Chat with Profs Kohler and Sayre
Feb10
Coffee Shop Chat with Profs Kohler and Sayre Feb 10 Lawrence Hall
Physical Chemistry Seminar - Measuring Energy Landscapes for Biomolecules with Native Mass Spectrometry
Feb10
Physical Chemistry Seminar - Measuring Energy Landscapes for Biomolecules with Native Mass Spectrometry Feb 10 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Composition Writing Lab Drop-In Hours
Feb10
Composition Writing Lab Drop-In Hours Feb 10 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Organic/Inorganic/Materials Chemistry Seminar: A Journey from Long Acenes to Cyclacenes
Feb10
Organic/Inorganic/Materials Chemistry Seminar: A Journey from Long Acenes to Cyclacenes Feb 10 Willamette Hall
History Pub Lecture Series: “The History of Pre-History: How Archaeology Began"  
Feb10
History Pub Lecture Series: “The History of Pre-History: How Archaeology Began"   Feb 10 Whirled Pies Downtown
Department of History Coffee Hour
Feb11
Department of History Coffee Hour Feb 11 McKenzie Hall
How to Align Your Time with Your Priorities
Feb13
How to Align Your Time with Your Priorities Feb 13
Composition Writing Lab Drop-In Hours
Feb13
Composition Writing Lab Drop-In Hours Feb 13 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
Feb14
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive Feb 14 Miller Theatre Complex
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
Feb15
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive Feb 15 Miller Theatre Complex

All events »