Philosophy major

Probe life’s most complex questions

Illustration of logical ordering in a flow chart-type drawing on a piece of paper against a white background to represent our Philosophy major

A philosophy degree is one of the most versatile, and consistently underestimated, credentials in higher education. It builds the skills that competitive programs and employers across every field are actively looking for: the ability to construct a rigorous argument, identify what's actually being assumed, read difficult material closely, and write with precision and clarity.

At Fort Lewis College, you'll develop those skills in small seminars, with doctoral faculty who know your work, through traditions spanning the Western canon and far beyond it.

The numbers

Philosophy majors outperform students from nearly every other undergraduate major on the GRE, including English majors on the verbal section. They post the highest LSAT scores of any undergraduate major, according to the Law School Admission Council.

Mid-career earnings for philosophy majors exceed those of business, biology, psychology, English, sociology, journalism, and anthropology majors. FLC philosophy graduates have gone on to earn advanced degrees in law, medicine, theology, education, and philosophy.

  • Philosophy Major
  • Philosophy Minor
Philosophy Major

The Philosophy major provides deep grounding in the history of philosophy alongside contemporary theory, covering the full range of the discipline:

  • Metaphysics and epistemology
  • Ethics and value theory
  • Logic and philosophy of science
  • Philosophy of mind
    Environmental philosophy
    Feminist philosophy
    Social and political philosophy
    Philosophy of religion

Courses span both Western and non-Western traditions — including indigenous worldviews and Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Taoist, and Confucian philosophy — reflecting FLC's distinctive place in the Four Corners region and its commitment to genuine intellectual breadth.

Learn about the Philosophy Major requirements

Philosophy Minor

The Philosophy minor complements almost any area of study. Pre-law and pre-med students regularly add the minor for the analytical edge it provides on the LSAT and MCAT. It pairs naturally with political science, psychology, business, biology, and the humanities — and the skills it builds transfer to every field.

Many FLC students double-major, pairing philosophy with biology, political science, or business to build a distinct profile for competitive programs.

Learn about the Philosophy Minor requirements

Sophie Schwartz, Philosophy major & Political Science, ‘21

"FLC’s Philosophy Department is so unique thanks to our philosophy professors. They bring compassion, excitement, enthusiasm, and thoughtfulness to the practice of philosophy and critical thinking."

Sophie Schwartz
Philosophy & Political Science, ‘21
Benjamin Brewer, Philosophy major, click for video

Benjamin Brewer, Philosophy Major

Why some laws should be followed and others are questionable.

Discussion at the core

In and out of class, discussion is at the root of philosophy. You'll dive into the deepest recesses of human thought in coursework and, should you choose, in the Philosophy Club. These are just some of the ways you'll explore the human condition.

Course highlights

Some of the courses you might enjoy as a Philosophy include:

  • Environmental Ethics
  • Mind, consciousness, and Language
  • Philosophy and the Nature of Reality
  • God, Faith, and Reason
  • Philosophy of Science
See more courses in the catalog

Philosophy Club

Tackle difficult questions on meaningful topics with guest presenters, faculty, and fellow students. Look at notions of justice with questions like, “What’s unjust about the gender pay gap?” Consider egalitarianism through the lens of “left-libertarianism.” The Philosophy Club meets twice each month for presentations and discussion.

More on the Philosophy Club

Experience philosophy

See and feel how philosophy shapes the places we live as you explore destinations such as Spain, Greece, Costa Rica, Italy and India. Join classmates and professors as you learn about the philosophies of the region you’re in, discuss issues relevant today, and even intern or volunteer with local organizations.

FLC Philosophy majors in Italy; a lesson from FLC professor Justin McBrayer