Philosophy

About the Program

Philosophy is unlike any other field of study. It is unique both in its methods and in the nature and breadth of its subject matter. Philosophy pursues questions in every dimension of human life, and its approach applies to problems in any field of study or endeavor. As a discipline it encourages students to reject simple solutions to complex issues; it enhances their ability to perceive the relationships among the various fields of study, and it deepens their sense of the meaning and varieties of the human experience.

The mission of the Southwest Minnesota State University philosophy program is to promote the intellectual virtues that are at the core of liberal education. Chief among these is the notion that respect for oneself and others entails an honest and rigorous examination of core beliefs. The program focuses on the development of critical thinking skills, the capacity for moral reasoning, and an appreciation of the breadth and importance of the history of philosophical inquiry. Collectively, these outcomes prepare all students to pursue an examined life.

The philosophy program offers a major and minor. The major is small enough to allow students to combine it with virtually any other major at the University. The faculty in the program are committed to the ideal of a broad, liberal education as the best possible preparation for a world in which the only certainty is change.

Activities

Our philosophy students have the opportunity to expand their learning horizons and sharpen their leadership skills through such groups as the Philosophy Club, the Honors Club, Environmental Awareness Club, LGBTQA+ Club, and the SMSU student association.

DID YOU KNOW...?

Philosophy majors annually score at or near the top of all majors taking the GRE and LSAT.

According to recent data from PayScale.com’s College Salary Report, Philosophy majors with a Bachelor’s degree and no higher degree have a higher median mid-career salary than Marketing & Communications, Accounting, and Business Administration majors with a Bachelor’s degree and no higher degree.

In “Be Employable, Study Philosophy,” Shannon Rupp argues that philosophy classes teach something “applicable to any and every job: clarity of thought. Name me one aspect of your life that doesn't’t benefit from being able to think something through clearly.”

In “Philosophy is Back in Business,” Dov Seidman calls philosophy a “killer app” for “the financial and climate crises, global consumption habits, and other 21st-century challenges.”

Bill Clinton, Pope John Paul II, Phil Jackson, Katharine Hepburn, Harrison Ford, Bruce Lee, Pearl S. Buck, and Mary Higgins Clark all majored in Philosophy.

Majors & Minors

• Major - Bachelor of Arts: Philosophy
• Minor - Minor: Philosophy
• Minor - Minor: Pre-Law
• Minor - Minor: Religious Studies (Humanities)

Clubs & Organizations

• Environmental Awareness Club
• LGBTQA+ Club
• Honors Club
• Philosophy Club
• Student Association