Philosophy | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

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Think beyond the ordinary

Develop clear, systematic thinking with a degree in philosophy from the University of Iowa.

Why Iowa?

Investigate some of the deepest and most important questions about the world and our place in it, with leading experts in philosophy, at a top writing university.

Study Here

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Develop your fundamentals

Learn how to think logically and independently, and communicate clearly and effectively. Position yourself for multiple possible career paths—in law, public policy, education, academia, journalism, consulting, and more.

Develop your fundamentals

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Advance your academic work

Build on your skills to be a researcher and teacher in academia. Publish your work and learn how to talk about it.

Advance your academic work

Learn from experts

Our faculty study and are published across the many focus areas in philosophy — from history, to ethics and politics, metaphysics, and beyond.

Learn from experts

Why Philosophy?

Studying philosophy will teach you how to think, argue, and communicate effectively—skills valued highly by employers, law schools and other graduate programs. Philosophy is also intrinsically rewarding, with the power to transform your perspective in deep ways.

Explore Careers

"As a philosophy student, I was able to alter my frame of thinking by learning new ideas about how the world works. Iowa's Department of Philosophy prepared me for law school; for the reading and writing I do daily, and taught me how to think outside the box."
- Sydney Schreiber, BA 2019

News and announcements

UI Philosophy, Ethics and Public Policy Student Scores Perfect 180 on Law School Admissions Test

Monday, October 6, 2025

Summer 2025, Cassie Finley successfully defended her dissertation "On the Unity of Moral and Intellectual Virtue”

Friday, September 19, 2025

Cassie Finley successfully defended her dissertation “On the Unity of Moral and Intellectual Virtue” this summer.

Asha Bhandary Promotion to Full Professor!

Thursday, May 1, 2025

The Department of Philosophy is delighted to announce that Asha Bhandary has been promoted to the rank of Full Professor, effective July 1, 2025.

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Events

Inaugural Law and Philosophy at Iowa Lecture: Joshua Knobe, Yale University

Friday, October 31, 2025 3:30pm to 5:00pm

Old Capitol Museum

Joshua Knobe, Yale University

“Experimental Jurisprudence”

Colloquium: Mihailis Diamantis, University of Iowa

Friday, November 7, 2025 3:30pm to 5:00pm

English-Philosophy Building

Mihailis Diamantis, University of Iowa

“The Corporate Artifact”

Lori Gruen: A conversation with Iowa Care Lab students

Thursday, November 13, 2025 2:00pm to 3:00pm

To be announced

Lori Gruen: A conversation with Iowa Care Lab students

Space is limited, people who wish to attend should contact Aura Qui aura-qui@uiowa.edu to reserve a spot and for details.

Iowa Care Lab Distinguished Senior Scholar Lecture

Friday, November 14, 2025 3:30pm to 5:00pm

Old Capitol Museum

Lori Gruen, Wesleyan University

"Empathy’s Role in Care Ethics"

Supported by the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies’ C. Esco and Avalon L. Obermann Endowment Fund, the Philosophy Department, and the Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies Department.

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