Philosophy

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

Obituary of Phillip Daniel Cummins

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Professor Carrie Figdor awarded the status of Honorary Professor at the University of Edinburgh, School of Philosophy, Psychology, and Language Sciences

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Kristopher Phillips, a 2014 UI Philosophy PhD graduate, has won the 2023 Prize for Excellence in Philosophy Teaching!

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Kristopher Philips, a University of Iowa Philosophy PhD graduate, won the 2023 Prize for Excellence in Philosophy Teaching.

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Think beyond the ordinary

Why Iowa?

Develop your fundamentals

Advance your academic work

Learn from experts

Why Philosophy?

"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."

News and announcements

Obituary of Phillip Daniel Cummins

Professor Carrie Figdor awarded the status of Honorary Professor at the University of Edinburgh, School of Philosophy, Psychology, and Language Sciences

Kristopher Phillips, a 2014 UI Philosophy PhD graduate, has won the 2023 Prize for Excellence in Philosophy Teaching!

Events

CANCELLED Colloquium: Jovana Davidovic, University of Iowa

Bergmann Lecture and UIGPS Keynote Lecture: Şerife Tekin, SUNY Upstate Medical University

Colloquium: Stephanie Patridge, University of Iowa

Hall Lecture: Nomy Arpaly, Brown University