Introducing the Study of Philosophy at Clark
Why study philosophy?
Philosophy asks the most fundamental questions about existence, the nature of reality, knowledge, and how we should live. In addition to general courses on traditional philosophical topics—for example, history of philosophy, metaphysics, ethics and political philosophy—students may choose from a variety of courses dedicated to special areas of investigation, including environmental ethics, philosophy of law, existentialism, and philosophy of language.
Philosophy is an ideal liberal arts degree. Studying philosophy helps cultivate clear and focused writing, analytical and problem-solving skills, and, in general, disciplined and effective thinking. Majors perform exceptionally well on pre-professional examinations; and philosophy coursework is excellent preparation for advanced study in most other fields.
The philosophy faculty at Clark is made up of eight full-time professors and two part-time lecturers, all of whom are committed to excellence in teaching and working closely with individual students. Learn more about the department faculty and their areas of individual research and scholarship by visiting the "faculty" link in the menu above.
What does one do with a philosophy degree?
The philosophy degree is an ideal first step towards any number of professional occupations. We are quite proud of our alumni. Recent graduates of the department have gone on to professional studies in law, management, medicine, and public health, as well as to Ph.D. programs in philosophy, environmental science, mathematics, journalism, and linguistics.
If you are intrigued by philosophy, but have a different major in mind...
...don't worry. Not only is philosophy an ideal double-major, the philosophy department also offers two minor tracks and participates heavily in concentrations such as Ethics and Public Policy, Law and Society, and Environment and Society. But more importantly, philosophy is an excellent complement to all fields of study. You don't have to be a major or a minor to benefit from courses in philosophy.