Overview of Philosophy
Your philosophy is your fundamental way of thinking about the universe and yourself. It is your worldview.

Your philosophy consists in your answers to certain very basic questions that at times confront all people. These are the questions that arise when we think about the nature of the universe, our own nature, and our relationships to the world and to one another. What makes for a morally right act or a just society? What sorts of things can we really claim to know? Is there a god? What is mind, and what is its relation to matter? Are we really capable of free choice or is our every act determined by past events? These are the kinds of questions that are addressed by philosophers.

In philosophy, one address these questions by identifying and evaluating basic assumptions, by analyzing concepts, and by critically examining the arguments for and against different positions on philosophical issues.

Thus, the study of philosophy not only involves one immediately in discussing the big questions of life, but it also helps develop the reasoning and critical thinking skills that are crucial for success in all professions and all areas of study.

The Department of Philosophy at Washington State University offers a broad range of undergraduate courses. For more information, visit our Academics page.

Bryan Hall, home to the Department of Philosophy