Department of Philosophy

Philosophy underlies every human endeavor, from politics to education, from business to the arts.

Philosophy comes from Greek words meaning “love of wisdom.” Philosophy uses the tools of logic and reason to analyze human experience and meaning in life.

At Elmhurst, you’ll tackle the essential questions through an intensive series of courses that look closely at human values and value systems. Each course will introduce you to great thinkers from history to the present day—and each course will ask you to hold up your own values to scrutiny.

Learn with Timeless and Timely Topics

Elmhurst’s philosophy department is firmly rooted in practical issues as well as in the great philosophical questions. Courses speak directly to today’s most pressing issues, from debates over corporate practices and managed health care to global warming. Not only do we tackle the theory, we also grapple with the practices that confront us in the news or on campus. The essence of philosophy at Elmhurst is the incorporation of perennial issues into the fabric of our lives.

Prepare for Your Next Chapter Now

Students learn how to write clearly, and to read closely, with a critical eye; they are taught to spot bad reasoning, and how to avoid it in their writing and in their work. It is therefore not surprising that philosophy students have historically scored more highly on tests like the LSAT and GRE, on average, than almost any other discipline.

Many of our students go on to law school; many others find rewarding careers in the social sciences or teaching. The principles of logic, careful expression and clarity that underscore philosophical thought are important in any career.

Recent News

Dr. Katrina Sifferd, Genevieve Staudt Endowed Chair of the Department of Philosophy, recently appeared on the podcast Principle of Charity to participate in a discussion on the episode’s topic, “Do Criminals Deserve to be Punished?”

Listen to the Episode

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