Philosophy

Philosophy explores central aspects of the human condition, of our world and of our relation to that world.

The Department of Philosophy at Amherst welcomes all students, from those who would like to sample a course or two, to those who would like to major in the discipline and perhaps even study the subject in graduate school.

Upcoming Events

“Martin Luther King Now”

Brandon Terry (Harvard Universtiy) will give the fourth and final talk of the 2017-2018 Forry and Micken Lecture Series on “Racial Justice and Injustice” on Thursday, April 26, 2018. The title of his talk is “Martin Luther King Now” and will be presented in Pruyne Lecture Hall (Fayerweather 115) at 5:00pm.  The event is free, open to the public, and handicapped accessible. For further information, please contact the Philosophy Department at Amherst College 413-542-5805 or djbrace@amherst.edu.

 

More Events

Martin Luther King Now

Brandon Terry (Harvard Universtiy) will give the fourth and final talk of the 2017-2018 Forry and Micken Lecture Series on “Racial Justice and Injustice” on Thursday, April 26, 2018. The title of his talk is “Martin Luther King Now” and will be presented in Pruyne Lecture Hall (Fayerweather 115) at 5:00pm.  The event is free, open to the public, and handicapped accessible. For further information, please contact the Philosophy Department at Amherst College 413-542-5805 or djbrace@amherst.edu.

 

More Events

Department Highlights

Philosophy lecture

About Philosophy

What is philosophy? Why Study Philosophy? Here are just a few of the many reasons.

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philosophy class

About the Major

An Amherst philosophy education conveys a sense of wonder about ourselves and our world, through exploration of philosophical texts and personal engagement with philosophical issues.

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lecture in philosophy

Lecture in Philosophy

Every year, the Amherst Lecture in Philosophy brings a distinguished philosopher to campus for a public lecture.

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About Philosophy

Our History

The teaching of philosophy has a rich history at Amherst College.

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list of alumni

Alumni

Meet our alumni, including those teaching philosophy at colleges and universities around the world.

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Philosophy Courses

Current Courses
PHIL 341

Freedom and Responsibility

Description

Address questions such as: What is it to be morally responsible for an action? Do we possess the freedom necessary for moral responsibility? And is this freedom compatible with causal determinism?

Position Announcement: Visiting Assistant Professor

The Amherst College Department of Philosophy invites applications for a one-year visiting assistant professorship in philosophy beginning July 1, 2018. The area of specialty is open. Given Amherst College’s commitment to cultivating a rigorous and inclusive educational environment, we seek candidates who can teach, mentor, and inspire students of different sexual orientations, genders, races, ethnicities, nationalities, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds...

Read more and apply online