WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?

Philosophy is the one field of study that aims at a general understanding of the whole of reality. It draws on the insights of the great historical philosophers, on what has been learned in all other major fields of study, and on the rich perspectives embodied in ordinary ways of thinking. Philosophers address a diverse array of deep, challenging, and profoundly important questions. Examples: the nature of the self and of personal identity; the existence or nonexistence of God; the nature of time, mind, language, and science; the sources and limits of human knowledge; the nature of the good life; the foundations of state authority; the requirements of social justice; and the nature of art, beauty, and aesthetic experience. Philosophical questions are addressed not by reference to empirical information alone, but by means of analysis, synthesis, argument, and the construction and evaluation of philosophical theories.

                                            WHY STUDY PHILOSOPHY?

What attracts students to philosophy is the intrinsic interest of its subject matter. However, the study of philosophy has practical benefits as well. Philosophy majors and minors are practiced in the close reading of complex texts, in the careful analysis and evaluation of arguments, in original and creative thinking, and in the clear, precise, and persuasive communication of ideas. The skills thus acquired are not only a source of deep personal satisfaction, but a strong asset in any profession. That the study of philosophy is especially effective in enhancing academic skills is suggested by the fact that philosophy majors, as a group, receive exceptionally high scores on the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test), the GMAT (the admissions test for MBA programs), and the GRE (Graduate Record Exam). 

Consider, for example, the GRE General Test, administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test contains three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. ETS publishes many statistics concerning the test, including the average scores received in each section by test takers in each of 50 (intended graduate) majors. The latest published report, covering the 3-year period ending June 30, 2004, shows that philosophy ranks first in Verbal Reasoning and first in  Analytical Writing. In Quantitative Reasoning, philosophy ranks 15^th, ahead of all other non-mathematical fields. If the 50 fields are ordered according to the average of their three rankings, philosophy places first, followed by physics and astronomy. For details, see the link at the bottom of this page.

PHILOSOPHY AT IUPUI

The philosophy department offers a wide range of undergraduate courses, including courses in the often neglected areas of Eastern philosophy and American Indian philosophy. It also offers a master’s program, with tracks in bioethics (director: Jason Eberl, jeberl@iupui.edu) and American philosophy (director: Cornelis de Waal, cdwaal@iupui.edu). The department offers evening and off-campus courses, as well as the traditional daytime courses. It also offers an online course in symbolic logic. All students are welcome to participate in the meetings and other activities of the Philosophy Club.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit the department’s website: http://www.iupui.edu/~philosop/. Or contact the chair, Michael Burke (mburke@iupui.edu, 317-274-3957, CA 344B); the lead adviser, Luise Morton (lmorton@iupui.edu, 317-274-5388, CA 333A); or John Tilley (jtilley@iupui.edu, 317-274-4690).               

View GRE scores - listed by major