By extensively studying philosophy, students gain knowledge of foundational ideas that have shaped Western society (justice, logic, etc.). This knowledge equips the students to analyze the basic presuppositions and conflicts within culture. Also, the students become better able to read carefully challenging material and to think and write more logically. Finally, the students grow in the ability to sustain an informed inquiry and conversation about fundamental concerns (nature of reality, whether we can reason about God, and conflicting views of justice) and to continue to learn through the process.

Philosophically educated students learn to live with ambiguity about important issues such as God and evil, self-evident truth claims, and the nature of morality, yet such students seek to gain greater intellectual clarity about these kinds of issues. These students do not easily accept facile and untested answers about philosophically important concerns and, furthermore, endeavor to tailor carefully their choice of words and reasoning.