Philosophy | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Student wearing Hawkeye sweatshirt walking out of EPB

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

students in classroom at computers discussing topics

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

grad students in a discussion with outher students

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

Professor Davidovic has published a paper in the Journal Nature on “Rethinking human roles in AI warfare”

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

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.

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Events

Colloquium: Katarina Perovic, University of Iowa

Friday, February 13, 2026 3:30pm to 5:00pm

English-Philosophy Building

Katarina Perovic, University of Iowa

Hall Lecture: Robert Gooding-Williams, Yale University

Friday, February 27, 2026 3:30pm to 5:00pm

Old Capitol Museum

Robert Gooding-Williams, Yale University

One Day for Iowa | The University of Iowa's Annual Giving Day

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 (all day)

Virtual

One Day for Iowa returns on Wednesday, March 25, marking 10 years of Hawkeyes coming together to support what matters most at the University of Iowa.

Our 24-hour online giving day is a chance for alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends to make an impact—supporting scholarships, research, health care, the arts, student experiences, and more. With special matching and unlocking opportunities throughout the day, every gift has the power to go further.

Celebrate a decade of generosity. Be part...

Iowa Care Lab Distinguished Senior Scholar Lecture

Friday, March 27, 2026 3:30pm to 5:00pm

Old Capitol Museum

Lori Gruen, Wesleyan University

"Empathy’s Role in Care Ethics"

Supported by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, The Office of the Vice President for Research, the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies, the Philosophy Department, the Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies Department, the Religious Studies Department, and the Psychiatry and Early Neurobiological Development Lab.

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