Philosophy is about asking big, timeless questions and using sharp reasoning to explore them. What makes life meaningful? How do we define justice? Can machines ever truly think? These aren't abstract musings; they're challenges that are actively shaping society, technology, and human progress. 

Philosophy bridges the humanities and sciences, offering fresh perspectives on both. As a philosophy major, you'll wrestle with moral questions about justice, law and ethics, investigate scientific puzzles about the mind and quantum mechanics, and explore how words shape meaning and truth. But philosophy is more than a set of big questions—it's a way of thinking. It uses logic and reason to break down complex ideas, revealing new insights about the world and our place in it. 

As a philosophy major at Illinois, you'll sharpen your critical thinking, logic, and communication skills—tools that can't be automated and are essential in a world that's constantly evolving. 

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Why study philosophy at Illinois?

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Philosophy is an interdisciplinary field of study and the foundation of a broad range of disciplines, which is reflected in the diverse expertise of our world-class faculty. As a philosopher, you can contribute to fields such as physics, psychology, natural science, computer science, mathematics, political science, law, and more. And you can easily pair a major in philosophy with a major or minor in these disciplines. Our program is multi-faceted and allows you the flexibility to follow your interests.

We offer a variety of courses in ethics; metaphysics; epistemology; the history of philosophy; philosophy of religion; political philosophy and philosophy of law; philosophy of science, mathematics, computation, artificial intelligence, and physics; philosophy of mind; philosophy of class, gender, and race; and more. Our rich curriculum will prepare you for a wide range of careers and graduate studies and teach you to think clearly, creatively, rigorously, and with great flexibility, so you can adapt easily to a rapidly changing world. 

You can also participate in philosophy workshops, attend talks by leading figures in philosophy, conduct independent research with a professor on a topic that excites you, publish your research in our undergraduate journal, join the philosophy club, or start your own student group.

Our Program

Philosophy Major

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The flexibility of the philosophy major allows students to customize their path through the curriculum and follow their interests. In small, discussion-centered classes you’ll be part of a supportive atmosphere both inside and outside the classroom. You'll learn how to think critically and rigorously, communicate difficult ideas, identify faulty assumptions, make sound arguments, and engage in debate over complex issues—skills that will set you up for success in a diverse range of careers. 

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CS + Philosophy Major

The CS + Philosophy major will prepare you to navigate and push the frontiers of computing where researchers and practitioners often face the same type of questions—from foundational to ethical—that philosophers have tackled for ages. Acquire skills in formal methods, philosophical analysis, and computer programming, all while learning from award-winning faculty invested in the relationship between computer science and philosophy. 

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Philosophy Minor

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The philosophy minor is an excellent complement to majors in the sciences and humanities. Students can hone their critical thinking, reading, and writing skills and improve their ability to analyze complex issues—skills that will enhance their career success. 

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Ethics of AI Certificate 

Employers are actively seeking employees who have experience grappling with the risks and ethical questions of artificial intelligence. The Ethics of AI Certificate teaches students the core skills and knowledge they need to understand how to mitigate the risks of artificial intelligence while harnessing its benefits.

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What can you do with a degree in philosophy?

Our graduates are innovators and leaders in a wide range of fields including business, law, technology, education, public policy, the diplomatic corps, and more. They also have among the highest salaries of any non-STEM majors and excel on entrance exams for law school, medical school, and graduate school.

At Illinois, 99% of 2022-2023 philosophy graduates secured a first destination right after graduation, with an impressive median starting salary of $76,000. 

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