Bachelor of Arts Major in Philosophy

The study of philosophy is at the core of a liberal arts education. The ideal of a liberal arts education is not simply to prepare students for a specific career but to prepare them for a meaningful personal life and for intelligent participation in their communities. There are issues that all human beings confront regardless of what career they choose or community they live in, such as the nature and limits of knowledge, the principles of right and wrong, the meaning of life, the truth of religious claims, and the nature of reality. Philosophers raise critical questions about these issues, and some attempt to construct comprehensive systems that explain how all human activities fit together in a unified way. Moreover, through the exposure to some of the great minds in human history and the discussion of their ideas with their professors and peers, students develop the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills that are essential to a human being. In the words of the American Philosophical Association, the study of philosophy serves: to develop intellectual abilities important for life as a whole, beyond the knowledge and skills required for any particular profession. Properly pursued, it enhances analytical, critical and interpretive capacities that are applicable to any subject matter, and in any human context. It cultivates the capacities and appetite for self-expression and reflection, for exchange and debate of ideas, for life-long learning and for dealing with problems for which there are no easy answers. It also helps to prepare one for the tasks of citizenship. Participation in political and community affairs today is all too often insufficiently informed, manipulable and vulnerable to demagoguery. A good philosophical education enhances the capacity to participate responsibly and intelligently in public life. Students choose the Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy for various reasons. Most enjoy the intellectually provocative and challenging nature of philosophical thinking that opens their minds and has relevance for their personal lives. Some study philosophy in order to go to graduate school and eventually teach philosophy or to enter other professional fields, such as law. And others take philosophy as a second major since it is a good complement to virtually any other major. In all cases, the study of philosophy is personally enriching and develops skills that are transferable to a variety of occupations. Philosophy majors should be able to: 1. Comprehend complex philosophical texts (content and structure). 2. Write clear, succinct, well-organized essays that demonstrate understanding of the topic and critically evaluate the claims and arguments for them. 3. Express complex ideas and arguments clearly, succinctly and respectfully in both discussion and presentations. 4. Comprehend and apply formal techniques of reasoning. 5. Recognize, create and/or respond to reasoned objections to an argument using relevant and convincing evidence and arguments. 6. Contextualize and evaluate arguments relative to major philosophical movements and developments. Bachelor of Arts Major in Philosophy Students must complete a minimum of 124 units with a Pacific cumulative and major/program grade point average of 2.0 in order to earn the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in philosophy.