A problem may be called "philosophical" when it has depth and universality, far-reaching theoretical ramifications, human importance, and no easy solution. Philosophical problems constitute the subject matter of philosophy.

Academic courses in philosophy have the value of introducing the crucial problems in a systematic way, exposing students to fruitful methods for attacking them, to models of solid, hard-hitting argumentation, and to a literature ranging from Plato's Dialogues to current professional journals. The relevance of philosophy is nowhere better exhibited than in the distinctions ignored, the arguments overlooked, and the errors repeated by persons unfamiliar with that literature.

Programs

Philosophy Courses

NameRankDegreeSchoolGraduate FacultyEmeritus Faculty
Margaret L. Atherton Distinguished Professor PhD No Yes
Miren Boehm Associate Professor PhD University of California-Irvine Yes No
William Bristow Associate Professor PhD Harvard University Yes No
Peter van Elswyk Associate Professor PhD Rutgers University Yes No
Bernard L. Gendron Professor PhD No Yes
Carl G. Hedman Professor PhD No Yes
Stanislaus Husi Associate Professor PhD Rice University Yes No
John L. Koethe Distinguished Professor PhD No Yes
Stephen Leeds Distinguished Professor PhD No Yes
Michael N. Liston Associate Professor PhD University of California-San Diego Yes Yes
Walter G. Neevel Jr. Professor PhD No Yes
Blain Neufeld Associate Professor PhD University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Yes No
Nataliya Palatnik Assistant Professor PhD Harvard University Yes No
Robert A. Schwartz Distinguished Professor PhD No Yes
Julius O. Sensat Professor PhD No Yes
Joshua Spencer Associate Professor PhD University of Rochester Yes No
Richard Tierney Associate Professor PhD Columbia University Yes No
Raymond L. Weiss Professor PhD No Yes