Grappling with the big questions.

What is the nature of morality? What is the difference between knowing and believing? Is beauty subjective? What is justice? The answers aren’t easy to discover, but the intellectual journey helps us find purpose and meaning in our lives and work. The discipline also encourages rigorous thinking, clarity and precision in thought and language, and the ability to analyze and solve problems. Explore UVM Philosophy and how it poises students for success.

Career preparedness

The ability to communicate precisely, think logically and solve problems are among the transferrable skills our students develop--skills that are in high demand in any profession. UVM philosophy majors go on to have incredible and fulfilling careers in a wide range of fields.

Variety of Course Offerings  

Philosophy has deep roots at UVM. Housed in a historic house (built c. 1866) on the western edge of campus, the department is home to roughly one hundred majors and one hundred minors. You'll discover a wide range of course offerings spanning ethics, Chinese philosophy, logic, philosophy of religion, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, aetaphysics, continental philosophy, social and political philosophy, philosophy of law, and ancient and modern philosophy.

Expert Scholars, Expert Teachers

Faculty in UVM's Philosophy Department are actively engaged in new philosophical research, but teaching is a very high priority. All classes are taught by members of our faculty, and each professor also serves as a student advisors. At UVM you have the opportunity to forge close relationships with instructors who are renowned for their philosophical research, but who take pride in their commitment to excellent undergraduate teaching. You will discover a  rigorous and intimate learning environment in the context of a large research university.

 

Meet UVM Philosophy Alumni

Philosophy: Fundamental to Fulfilling Careers

Eric Lipton portraitEric Lipton '87, longtime reporter for the New York Times and a philosophy major at UVM, received a Pulitzer Prize in 2015 for investigative reporting.

"UVM offered a place in the philosophy department where I was forced to think. The honors thesis I did at the time was one of the hardest things I did in my life. Analytical thinking, storytelling and writing are all things you can learn well here if you apply yourself."

Read more of Eric Lipton’s story