• Philosophers investigate the underlying assumptions and methods of other major academic disciplines in order to address issues about the nature of these subjects and the contributions they make to human understanding.
  • Philosophy majors find that their rigorous training in critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and written expression prepares them well for any career. Many have become philosophers in their own right; others have entered graduate or professional school in philosophy, law, or business. Career choices of UC Davis graduates include computer programming, government service, teaching, the ministry, and social work.
  • The philosophy major is designed to allow students great flexibility in choosing their courses, both within the department and from complementary disciplines. Students’ lower-division courses will cover such areas as critical thinking, ethics, logic and the history of philosophy. At the upper division, students will study more specialized topics, such as philosophy as applied to specific academic disciplines, metaphysics, theory of knowledge and the works of individual philosophers.