KU Department of Philosophy
About Us
The Philosophy Department of University of Kansas is home to the prestigious Lindley Lectures, which was established in 1954. We have hosted some of philosophy's most preeminent thinkers, including Philipa Foot, Bernard Williams, Derek Parfit and T.M. Scanlon.
Our faculty includes leading experts on a wide variety of philosophical topics, such as ethics, philosophy of science, metaphysics and more.
Our recent Graduate Program placement is listed on our alumni page. Most recent placements include Denison University (tenure-track) and Stanford University (post-doc).
Degree Information
Through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, we offer undergraduate programs leading to either the B.A. or B.G.S. degree.
At the graduate level, we have both an M.A. and Ph.D. program, with the possibility of full funding for each.
If you are interested, take a look at our courses.
Why Study Philosophy?
In philosophy we ask big, important questions. While asking such questions is easy, answering them is difficult. Because these questions are often abstract and vague, it is necessary to use precise reasoning and analysis to clarify what exactly it is we are asking. Only then can we attempt to develop answers. For example:
- What is the morally right thing to do?
- What is the nature of the mind?
- When can we know something, rather than merely believing it?
- Do the sciences exhaust what can be known about the natural world?
- What is justice?
- What assumptions do we make when we try to answer questions like these?
- Plus many, many others...
In studying philosophy, you will learn what others have thought about life's big questions. You will also learn to challenge those views, and to develop your own thoughts in a precise, logical manner. Philosophy will help you develop critical thinking skills, enabling you to analyze the underlying logic and assumptions in arguments about a variety of topics. This is a skill that generalizes to virtually every area of life.
As a result, philosophy majors outperform nearly all others in graduate test scores. Reports from GMAT and LSAT showed that philosophy majors occupied the top 4th spot for mean test scores in GMAT and 1st and 2nd spots for the LSAT.
Philosophy majors on average enjoy the highest salary growth out of all other majors according to a study in the Wall Street Journal, along with having the 4th highest average median salary in mid-career out of graduates without higher degrees.
Read more about the surprising benefits of studying philosophy here:
Why Study Philosophy?