Organizations today are looking for people who can communicate effectively, think critically and ethically influence others. A background in philosophy is perfectly suited to build these skills that can benefit those in career paths from law to marketing and economics to education.
The undergraduate degree in philosophy is part of the College of Liberal Arts, which is about making connections freely—exploring human achievement, examining the past critically and discovering ways to build upon it, and understanding yourself and our diverse world in order to transform it.
Learn about the College of Liberal ArtsWith a philosophy degree from the Mount, you’ll be prepared to pursue careers that span numerous disciplines and fields. You’ll explore the foundations of philosophy, learning how to ask questions and evaluate answers concerning the nature of truth, the value of knowledge, the relationship between faith and reason, and the nature of human excellence.
Courses will cover logic and how to build persuasive arguments, and you’ll be challenged to think deeply about fundamental questions of human life. You’ll also study moral philosophy and learn to develop your own well-reasoned judgments on the critical questions you will face, both personally and professionally, and be prepared for complex, moral decision-making. The program concludes with a senior seminar, where you’ll read, analyze and discuss a philosophical work, then create a multi-draft research paper of publishable quality.
Upon graduation, you’ll be able to pursue a career as a public policy analyst with a government agency, join a nonprofit as an administrator, go into marketing, communication or education, or even be prepared for
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My philosophy major at the Mount was crucial to my development as a student and as a person. Philosophy helps you form critical thinking and logic skills that no other major can develop quite as well, and these skills were incredibly valuable to me in my undergraduate studies, continue to be valuable in my master’s studies, and in life in general.
Mount graduates with a degree in philosophy have joined organizations such as:
And are pursuing graduate degrees at institutions such as:
A philosophy minor from the Mount can pair with virtually any major, improving your critical thinking and ethical
The study of philosophy is central to a Catholic liberal-arts education, which is dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the formation of students in Christian humanism. Courses in the Philosophy Department seek (1) to cultivate critical reasoning skills, including the capacity to synthesize and integrate knowledge; (2) to impart knowledge of and foster respect for the history of philosophy; and (3) in conversation with the Catholic intellectual tradition, (i) to stimulate in students a love of wisdom, manifest in a desire to know themselves and engage in ongoing reflection on questions central to the human condition; and (ii) to prepare students to carefully reflect on and respond to the various cultural forces operating on them.
The goal of cultivating critical reasoning is addressed by a course in logic, by the teaching of the principles of logic in the core curriculum, and by an emphasis on the analysis of arguments in all philosophy courses. The goal of fostering an informed appreciation of the history of philosophy is addressed through the historically focused approach taken in core and elective courses. The goal of cultivating a love of wisdom and the habit of reflection on the human condition is fostered in all philosophy courses through reasoned examination of the nature of the human person, the goods humans appropriately value, the principles governing their conduct, and their relation to the wider world, their fellow human beings and God. Through its minor and major, the department further addresses these goals by providing opportunities for advanced course work and preparation for graduate studies.
In keeping with its central role in the liberal arts tradition, philosophy promotes the integration of learning by exploring its relationship to other academic disciplines and professional pursuits. By developing the skills of reasoning, reading, writing and dialogue, the department contributes to the achievement of foundational aims of the core curriculum and prepares students for responsible citizenship in a democratic society and global community.
Tolle Lege is a student journal of theology and philosophy published annually, at the end of the fall semester. Essays written by any student of the university on any topic in theology or philosophy are considered for publication. The journal takes both its name and its inspiration from St. Augustine, in whose thought theology and philosophy are merged in a unified search for truth.
Current Edition – 2023
View submission details, additional information and previous editions of Tolle Lege.
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