Philosophy
People are always asking philosophical questions, but are unaware of it. What should I be doing with my life? What is the ethical thing to do in this situation? Is it reasonable to believe in God? Do computers really think? What is the proper role of government in family life? The study of Philosophy will help you to formulate questions like these clearly, examine assumptions logically, propose reasoned answers and defend your position coherently. These are valuable skills in any walk of life. You will learn about and critique what some of the greatest minds in the past have said about such questions, and you will come to realize that Philosophy is the broadest and most comprehensive of all the fields of study.
The Major
For those seeking a career in philosophy, teaching at the university level is an attractive but highly competitive option. There is also an emerging demand for experts in applied ethics, especially in the areas of medical ethics, business ethics and environmental ethics. If you plan to go to seminary, the Philosophy major is an excellent choice. A solid foundation for law school also can be built by this major, since the skills it takes to prepare good briefs and successfully argue cases are similar to those developed in Philosophy courses.
Double Majors
Philosophy combines well with a variety of disciplines, including political science, psychology, literature, physics and classics. Clarity of analysis, cogency of reasoning and development of valid generalizations will enhance your study of other majors such as management or economics, which aim toward a specific career.
Religious Studies
Besides offering a minor in Philosophy, the department, in conjunction with other departments, offers a minor in Religious Studies. The Religious Studies minor is designed to help students understand religion and world religious traditions by exploring them in an intellectually disciplined and rigorous way.
Faculty
The five full-time faculty members contribute many specialties to the Philosophy curriculum, including history of philosophy, logic, philosophy of science, philosophy of religion, philosophical psychology, metaphysics, medical ethics, aesthetics, political philosophy, Indian philosophy, contemporary philosophy and feminist philosophy. The Philosophy Department’s service activities include sponsoring an annual lecture and discussion series at the UNC Asheville Kellogg Center in Hendersonville. The series, which invites the public, features a different topic at each meeting, facilitated by UNC Asheville faculty experts.
Employment Opportunities
If you have no specific career plans at this time, the acquisition of a wide range of skills, interests and knowledge will add to your enjoyment and appreciation of yourself, your society and your world. This breadth should make you a more literate, better organized and more adaptable person in whatever job you may choose. Our graduates are now successfully working in fields as diverse as business, journalism, military intelligence and social work.
From Our Graduates
“In UNC Asheville’s Philosophy Department. I learned to think with precision, and I developed a passion for learning. It is a superb program.”
-Andrew D’Onofrio ’01
“The Philosophy Department at UNC Asheville is truly a class act, one that I would recommend to any aspiring young philosopher. The lessons that I learned progressing through the curriculum have changed my life for the better and have made me a better person.”
-John Sgalio ’98
More Information
Department of Philosophy
215 New Hall, CPO #2830
UNC Asheville
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804-8520
828.251.6272