About Philosophy
What is philosophy? Why Study Philosophy? Here are just a few of the many reasons.
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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.
Department Highlights
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
Every year, the Amherst Lecture in Philosophy brings a distinguished philosopher to campus for a public lecture.
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Our History
The teaching of philosophy has a rich history at Amherst College.
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Alumni
Meet our alumni, including those teaching philosophy at colleges and universities around the world.
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Current Courses
PHIL 111
Philosophical Questions
Description
Explore issues pertaining to religious conviction, knowledge, mind, freedom, ethics, and value through critical engagement with written work in the philosophical tradition.
PHIL 217
Ancient Greek Philosophy
Description
An examination of the origins of Western philosophical thought in Ancient Greece, with particular attention paid to questions about the nature, sources and limits of human knowledge.
PHIL 373
Seminar: Speech & Harm
Description
How might harm arise when speech goes awry? What limits might justifiably be put on our freedoms of speech?