Struggling with these questions is the everyday business of philosophers. At Southern, students of philosophy make it their business, too, taking on the tough questions of ethics, human worth, logic, and reality. Along the way they discover how brilliant thinkers through the years have asked these same questions. And they develop their own ability to examine a problem and argue a position logically and convincingly.

At Southern, philosophy majors jump feet-first into classic philosophical debates on the nature of reality, the workings of the mind, the meaning of the universe. But they also - and this sets Southern apart from many university philosophy departments - take on the tangle of questions and conflicts that characterize contemporary life: cloning, online privacy, abortion, affirmative action, deceptive advertising, and the death penalty.

And just what do philosophy majors do when they get out into the world? Many go on to graduate school, preparing for careers in college teaching, law, theology, medicine, government, and business. Nationally, philosophy majors are often among the top scorers on graduate and law school entrance examinations, because their rigorous training in logic, analytical thinking, and problem-solving provide intellectual skill and confidence. There is also an emerging need for people to help institutions develop policies in response to ethical challenges. These "staff ethicists" consider the moral implications of new technologies, research techniques and procedures, at hospitals, government institutions, and within the social services.

Of course, philosophy majors who want to head right out into the workforce find jobs in a wide range of areas that welcome liberal arts graduates with proven strengths in writing, problem-solving, complex analysis, critical thinking, and intellectual confidence. And people trained in philosophy often move easily into technology fields because of the connection between computers and the study of logic.

Throughout the program, Southern students trace philosophical thought from ancient times to the twenty-first century, delving into the works of Plato, Socrates, Machiavelli, Descartes, Kant, Nietzche and Kierkegaard, among many others. Students can also broaden their focus by drawing on Southern's diverse offerings, including study of Asian, Islamic, Jewish, and Christian philosophical thought.

Southern maintains a close connection to the worldwide philosophical community through Metaphilosophy, the noted international philosophy journal edited at Southern. The prestigious Research Center for Computing and Society, also based at Southern, produces multi-media course materials used in more than 300 universities. The Research Center is considered to be at the forefront of the international computer ethics discussion. Both the Center and Metaphilosophy have challenging opportunities for ambitious students who want to help develop and edit top-quality work.

Metaphilosophy, the noted international philosophy journal edited at Southern.

The prestigious Research Center for Computing and Society, also based at Southern, is considered to be at the forefront of the international computer ethics discussion.

For more information, contact the Department of Philosophy at (203) 392-6775.