Philosophy has a distinctive place in a university education. In philosophy class we ask, and try to answer, some of the deepest questions confronting us as human beings. For example: What is knowledge? What is justice? Who am I? What am I? Am I a physical thing, or something more? What makes me me? What sort of thing is an artwork? What makes an artwork good or bad? Where is the line between art and propaganda?

In order to address these questions, we learn certain reflective ways of thinking, arguing, and writing. We employ concepts and strategies of reasoning and explanation that have themselves been critically assessed within philosophy for their clarity, soundness and cogency. Our philosophical reflections are also guided by critical engagement with the views of great thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Quine, Kripke, and many others. Specialists, Majors and Minors can look forward to substantial interaction with these authors.

Philosophy class is not only for Specialists, Majors and Minors, however. It can have a much broader impact, in at least two ways. First, the different branches of philosophy span a broad range of subjects that intersect with topics studied in history, the arts, the social sciences, biology, physics, and mathematics, among others. Second, the intellectual skills and virtues acquired in philosophy class are extremely beneficial to our thinking generally, no matter what subject or issue we are thinking about. Philosophy cultivates general intellectual virtues of critical thinking, clarity of thought, writing and communication, and creativity in approaching difficult problems. As a result, the study of philosophy provides excellent preparation for graduate study in the intersecting fields mentioned above, and also for a variety of non-academic careers. Philosophy students go on to successful careers in law, medicine, journalism, government, technology, and business. Clear thinking and expression, and creative problem-solving, are essential to success in all of these fields.

Students should also review the Degree Requirements section prior to selecting courses

Program website: http://philosophy.utoronto.ca/utm/utm-philosophy-undergraduate