Philosophy
About Philosophy
Our Program and Courses
Philosophy is a major and minor at F&M. You’ll deep-dive and analyze seemingly everyday questions, examine the historical traditions of philosophy, and explore a broad range of contemporary philosophical issues and topics — all while cultivating skills in critical thinking and philosophical argument. All philosophy majors share a common core of coursework and complete the major by exploring current work in philosophy, during which leading scholars in the field will visit and share their current research.
Curious what philosophy courses are like? Explore our course catalog to discover the types of classes available to you.
Learning Outside the Classroom
Our highly committed professors actively seek to engage you in cutting-edge scholarship, discussion, and research. They’re dedicated to tailoring your education to your interests and goals, and helping you to discover independent study and study-abroad opportunities that will broaden your understanding of the discipline.
Research Opportunities
If there’s a philosophical area or idea you’re eager to explore, you won’t have to
wait until graduate school to launch your investigation. Every student at F&M has
extraordinary opportunities to work closely with professors in faculty-led research
or engage in an independent research project.
Explore research at F&M
Off-Campus Study
Off-campus study, in the U.S. and internationally, is encouraged. Previous philosophy
majors have studied abroad in England, Italy, Japan, Germany, and have even spent
a semester at sea.
Explore off-campus study at F&M
Success Beyond F&M
What do philosophy majors typically do after college? Philosophical skills can be applied to any subject, issue, challenge, or topic. Many of our graduates go on to enjoy successful careers in a wide range of professions and attend excellent graduate programs.
Graduate School
Philosophy majors frequently go on to study in graduate programs, pursuing a wide range of advanced degrees at institutions such as Columbia University, Stanford University, Princeton University, New York University, Yale University, Georgetown University, and Carnegie Mellon University. Our graduates have gone on to study:
- Philosophy
- Law
- Philosophy of Education
- Medicine
- Psychology
- Creative Writing
- Cinematic Arts
- Business
Career Paths
The ability to think critically about multiple views and communicate your perspective clearly will serve you well in just about any career you choose. Philosophy graduates are prepared for a wide array of careers, including in law, education, business, medicine, and government. They hold positions such as:
- Professor of Psychology
- Professor of Philosophy
- Department Chair of Philosophy
- Teacher
- Law Associate
- Attorney
- Assistant Prosecutor
- Assistant General Counsel
- Assistant District Attorney
- Federal Prosecutor
- Senior Bibliographic Specialist
- Physician
- Director of Mental Health Services
- Creative Director
- Project Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Director of Sales
- Software Developer
F&M Certificates: Explore Innovative Fields of Study
Certificates are supplemental educational pathways you can pursue at F&M. Certificates are not tied to your major or minor, but can be added to your resume to demonstrate a specialized level of training and education in a particular area. Philosophy is a major component of several of F&M’s certificates: Diversity and Equality in Education, Legal Studies, Health Humanities, Data Science, and Language and Communication.
Learn more about F&M certificates »
How do minds fit into the natural world? When you study cognitive science at F&M,
you’ll employ intellectual tools from several disciplines to understand the nature
of the mind and how it works, functions, and behaves. What leads people to engage in selfless — or selfish — acts? Study moral psychology
at F&M and investigate the psychological processes of humans in moral contexts through
a blended lens of science and humanities. F&M’s Department of Government has earned a reputation as one of the finest in the
country. Study government at F&M and examine power, politics, justice, equity, and
change while developing skills in language, economics, mathematics and philosophy.Course Spotlight
F&M Students Take Philosophy to High School Classrooms
The internship-for-credit course Philosophy at McCaskey gives F&M students the opportunity
to visit the nearby McCaskey High School throughout the semester to lead discussions
on philosophy. The discussions cover a variety of subjects — from player safety in
the NFL to ghosting — and aim to apply philosophy to everyday scenarios. “We always
try to pick issues that are accessible for high school students,” said Professor of
Philosophy Lee Franklin, who teaches the course. Taking philosophy into high school
classes gives F&M students a new way of engaging with the material they’re studying,
shifting the dynamic and putting them in charge of planning lessons. To do so effectively,
they need to deeply engage with the material and understand how to make it accessible
to others. It also reminds students of the practical applications of what they’re
studying. “I wanted to give our students the opportunity to see how philosophy could
be applied meaningfully in the community and outside of an academic context,” Franklin
said.
Read More »Alumni Spotlight
Studying Hope, Solidarity and Cognition
Maceo Whatley '22 is drawn to the “existential, phenomenological approach to looking
at human existence,” he said. In particular, Whatley examined the conditions of hope
and solidarity. His research — which drew on methods and literature from moral psychology,
philosophy and cognitive science — surrounded agency (the capacity for individuals
to make their own free choices) and the influence that structures such as social class
and ethnicity have on such agency.
Read More »Related Fields of Study
Cognitive Science
Moral Psychology
Government
A Glimpse at Philosophy at F&M
July 3, 2024
F&M Students Take Philosophy to High School Classrooms
As part of an internship-for-credit course, F&M students visit McCaskey High School throughout the semester to discuss philosophy and ethics with Lancaster students.
March 22, 2022
'A Little Medicine, A Little Philosophy'
An F&M professor and his former student — now a doctor — teamed up to explore an ethical puzzle: What if a patient's current best interests conflict with their past living will directives?
October 14, 2021
Research Fair: Senior Studies Hope, Solidarity and Cognition
Moral psychology major Maceo Whatley '22 worked with Assistant Professor of Psychology Elana Cuffari and George Fourlas, visiting assistant professor of philosophy and government, on individual projects and an ongoing, joint project centered around microagressions, implicit bias and anti-racist ethics.