The official facebook page for philosophy at ETSU

Our department is a dynamic group of faculty committed to excellence in undergraduate education. Through our courses and programs we cultivate in our students an appreciation for the life of the mind and the importance of thinking through difficult conceptual problems carefully and rigorously.

The study of philosophy is provocative, enlightening, and meaningful. It helps us understand that things are not always what they seem, it helps us learn about ourselves and the world, and it teaches us how to grapple intelligently with fundamental questions. For this reason philosophy is a central component of any liberal arts education. The methods of philosophy emphasize careful reasoning and the ability to critically evaluate arguments. These techniques are relevant to any field of study or endeavor, and the skills one develops in philosophy are highly sought after by employers who value creative and analytical thinking and the ability to communicate effectively in writing. The study of philosophy is also excellent preparation for professional and graduate studies.

The Department offers a traditional philosophy major, as well as a philosophy major with religious studies concentration. We also host minors in philosophy, religious studies, and humanities. We offer courses in core areas such as ethics and political philosophy, metaphysics and epistemology, and the history of philosophy, as well as specialty courses such as philosophy of law, philosophy of science, existentialism, bioethics, philosophy of art, philosophies of feminism, environmental philosophy, and philosophy of religion. Students in the religious studies program may also choose from an array of religious studies courses both in our department and in departments such as History, Sociology and Anthropology, and Literature and Language.