Philosophy investigates fundamental questions concerning knowledge and belief (epistemology), the nature of reality (metaphysics), and morality and aesthetics (value theory). The department offers courses that relate traditional questions to contemporary work in literature and the social and natural sciences. In addition, the department offers several courses that make a careful study of ancient and modern philosophical texts.

Learning Experience

Students of philosophy can pursue a broad range of topics of historical, intellectual, and personal interest. Philosophy majors should emerge with the following knowledge and skills:

✔ An ability to argue cogently for a philosophical point and to analyze and criticize the arguments of others.

✔ A familiarity with the central concepts and key debates in the core areas of contemporary philosophical thought, including ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology.

✔ A familiarity with the works of the major figures in the history of philosophy.

✔ A familiarity with formal logic, including the ability to carry out proofs within symbolic formal systems.

✔ An ability to think critically and creatively about a broad range of conceptual issues and questions.

Course Requirements

Students must have taken or currently be enrolled in at least one lower-division philosophy course in order to declare the minor. Students declare by contacting the undergraduate advisor, who will develop an individual academic plan and complete a Petition for Major/Minor Declaration form. Students should contact philadvi@ucsc.edu in order to declare.

A minor in philosophy consists of seven of the 11 courses required for the major, and will meet the following distribution requirements.