Philosophy majors develop their analytical, critical, speaking and writing skills by engaging with and evaluating the arguments and views of some of the most influential and powerful thinkers who have ever lived. There is no better major than philosophy to prepare you to think clearly and critically about difficult things, not least, the direction and course of one?s own life.

Philosophy is a method for thinking clearly about everything.

This is demonstrated by the wide variety of subjects philosophers study: science, ethics, mind, art, language, politics, and metaphysics, among many others. The philosophy professors at SUNY Potsdam have varied interests and areas of expertise, but they all teach the philosophical method by encouraging students to read closely and carefully, to evaluate ideas and arguments, and to present their own views in a convincing way.

Students can develop these skills further by taking part in the many extracurricular activities that the Department supports, including the very active Philosophy Forum student group. Philosophy students are familiar with logic, the history of ideas, and the complex relationships between various fields.