Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts College of Letters & Science
Philosophy addresses problems and questions that arise in all areas of human thought and experience and in all disciplines. Recurring questions about the nature of value, the good life, right conduct, knowledge, truth, language, mind, and reality are central to philosophical study. Philosophy also investigates the methodologies and assumptions of the major disciplines in the university in order to deepen our understanding of the sciences, of mathematics, art, literature, and history, and of religion and morality. It leads us to address issues about the nature of these subjects, about the methods of reasoning characteristic of them, and about the contributions they make to our understanding of ourselves and our world.
Philosophy contributes to the liberal education of its students. The department emphasizes an analytic approach to philosophical questions, which trains students to understand and evaluate arguments and to think and write precisely and clearly. These skills are of immense value in a variety of careers.
The Program
The Department of Philosophy offers its majors a choice among three options. The General Emphasis provides a broad view of the field of philosophy. It includes a breadth requirement at the lower division level while providing students wide choice in more advanced courses. The Pre-Law and Pre-Med Emphases include courses that provide philosophical perspectives on law and medicine respectively and that also provide important preparation for professional school.
The Department offers courses in most areas of contemporary analytic philosophy including the theory of knowledge, metaphysics, logic, ethics, and political philosophy. In addition, upper division courses are offered in oral and political philosophy, and aesthetics, and in the philosophy of religion, of mind, of language, of mathematics, of law, and of the physical, biological and social sciences. The problems of philosophy have important roots in past. The history of philosophy is important not only as part of the heritage of educated persons, but also because it is relevant to contemporary issues. For these reasons, the department places great emphasis on the history of philosophy, providing courses on the major figures and traditions of western philosophy.
Major Advisor
Staff advisors are located in Young Hallphiladvising@ucdavis.edu, schedule an academic advising appointment, or
Faculty Advisor
Rohan French, Ph.D.
Career Pathways
Students of philosophy learn to understand and evaluate arguments and to think and write precisely and clearly. These analytical skills are assets in any career. Many of our majors have pursued graduate study in philosophy and have become philosophers in their own right. Others have pursued academic careers in related disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. Philosophy majors are well prepared for law, business, or other professional schools and have found careers in computer programming, government service, teaching, the ministry, and social work. Those wishing to attend law school or medical school should consider pursuing the Pre-Law and Pre-Med emphases, respectively.
Honors Program
The department offers an honors program, which gives qualifying majors the opportunity to work closely with faculty and graduate students. Information can be obtained on the Honors Program page of the Philosophy Department website.
Courses for Non-Majors
Students majoring in most disciplines in the university will find courses relevant to their educational or career goals. PHI 001 is the introductory course for both majors and non-majors. PHI 005 teaches critical thinking. The following PHI courses are recommended:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Pre-Law | ||
| PHI 012 | Introduction to Symbolic Logic | 4 |
| PHI 014 | Ethical & Social Problems in Contemporary Society | 4 |
| PHI 024 | Introduction to Ethics | 4 |
| PHI 030 | Introduction to Philosophy of Science | 4 |
| PHI 102 | Theory of Knowledge | 4 |
| PHI 112 | Intermediate Symbolic Logic | 4 |
| PHI 115 | Problems in Normative Ethics | 4 |
| PHI 116 | Ethical Theories | 4 |
| PHI 118 | Political Philosophy | 4 |
| PHI 119 | Philosophy of Law (especially) | 4 |
| (2) Pre-Medical | ||
| PHI 014 | Ethical & Social Problems in Contemporary Society | 4 |
| PHI 015 | Introduction to Bioethics | 4 |
| PHI 030 | Introduction to Philosophy of Science | 4 |
| PHI 038 | Introduction to Philosophy of Biology | 4 |
| PHI 108 | Philosophy of the Biological Sciences | 4 |
| PHI 114 | History of Ethics | 4 |
| PHI 115 | Problems in Normative Ethics | 4 |
| PHI 116 | Ethical Theories | 4 |
| (3) Business | ||
| PHI 014 | Ethical & Social Problems in Contemporary Society | 4 |
| PHI 102 | Theory of Knowledge | 4 |
| PHI 112 | Intermediate Symbolic Logic | 4 |
| PHI 114 | History of Ethics | 4 |
| PHI 115 | Problems in Normative Ethics | 4 |
| PHI 116 | Ethical Theories | 4 |
| PHI 117 | Foundations of Ethics | 4 |
| PHI 118 | Political Philosophy | 4 |
| PHI 119 | Philosophy of Law | 4 |
| (4) Social Policy | ||
| PHI 014 | Ethical & Social Problems in Contemporary Society | 4 |
| PHI 024 | Introduction to Ethics | 4 |
| PHI 101 | Metaphysics | 4 |
| PHI 102 | Theory of Knowledge | 4 |
| PHI 114 | History of Ethics | 4 |
| PHI 115 | Problems in Normative Ethics | 4 |
| PHI 116 | Ethical Theories | 4 |
| PHI 117 | Foundations of Ethics | 4 |
| PHI 118 | Political Philosophy | 4 |
| PHI 119 | Philosophy of Law | 4 |
| PHI 120 | Environmental Ethics | 4 |
| (5) Social Sciences | ||
| PHI 012 | Introduction to Symbolic Logic | 4 |
| PHI 030 | Introduction to Philosophy of Science | 4 |
| PHI 031 | Appraising Scientific Reasoning | 4 |
| PHI 032 | Understanding Scientific Change | 4 |
| PHI 101 | Metaphysics | 4 |
| PHI 102 | Theory of Knowledge | 4 |
| PHI 103 | Philosophy on Mind | 4 |
| PHI 109 | Philosophy of the Social Sciences | 4 |
| PHI 118 | Political Philosophy | 4 |
| PHI 131 | Philosophy of Logic & Mathematics | 4 |
| (6) Physical Sciences | ||
| PHI 012 | Introduction to Symbolic Logic | 4 |
| PHI 030 | Introduction to Philosophy of Science | 4 |
| PHI 031 | Appraising Scientific Reasoning | 4 |
| PHI 032 | Understanding Scientific Change | 4 |
| PHI 101 | Metaphysics | 4 |
| PHI 102 | Theory of Knowledge | 4 |
| PHI 107 | Philosophy of the Physical Sciences | 4 |
| PHI 112 | Intermediate Symbolic Logic | 4 |
| PHI 131 | Philosophy of Logic & Mathematics | 4 |
| (7) Biological Sciences | ||
| PHI 030 | Introduction to Philosophy of Science | 4 |
| PHI 031 | Appraising Scientific Reasoning | 4 |
| PHI 032 | Understanding Scientific Change | 4 |
| PHI 038 | Introduction to Philosophy of Biology | 4 |
| PHI 101 | Metaphysics | 4 |
| PHI 102 | Theory of Knowledge | 4 |
| PHI 108 | Philosophy of the Biological Sciences | 4 |
| PHI 120 | Environmental Ethics | 4 |
| (8) Humanities & the Arts | ||
| PHI 014 | Ethical & Social Problems in Contemporary Society | 4 |
| PHI 021 | Philosophical Classics of the Ancient Era | 4 |
| PHI 022 | Philosophical Classics of the Modern Era | 4 |
| PHI 024 | Introduction to Ethics | 4 |
| PHI 101 | Metaphysics | 4 |
| PHI 102 | Theory of Knowledge | 4 |
| PHI 103 | Philosophy on Mind | 4 |
| PHI 105 | Philosophy of Religion | 4 |
| PHI 114 | History of Ethics | 4 |
| PHI 116 | Ethical Theories | 4 |
| PHI 118 | Political Philosophy | 4 |
| PHI 123 | Aesthetics | 4 |
| PHI 141-PHI 175 | 4 | |
| (9) Agricultural & Environmental Science & Policy | ||
| PHI 005 | Critical Reasoning | 4 |
| PHI 014 | Ethical & Social Problems in Contemporary Society | 4 |
| PHI 024 | Introduction to Ethics | 4 |
| PHI 030 | Introduction to Philosophy of Science | 4 |
| PHI 031 | Appraising Scientific Reasoning | 4 |
| PHI 114 | History of Ethics | 4 |
| PHI 115 | Problems in Normative Ethics | 4 |
| PHI 116 | Ethical Theories | 4 |
| PHI 118 | Political Philosophy | 4 |
| PHI 120 | Environmental Ethics | 4 |
Department Activities
The Philosophy department sponsors a lecture series with well-known philosophers who present papers in their fields of expertise. The department also operates ongoing faculty and graduate student workshops. Undergraduate students are welcome to attend and join these discussions. Information can be obtained on the department website.
Graduate Study
The Department of Philosophy offers programs of study leading to M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. Detailed information is available on our website, and may also be obtained by writing to the Graduate Advisor.
Graduate Advisor
Alyssa Ney, Ph.D.
The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. Respective of the Emphasis, the minimum number of units required for the Philosophy Bachelor of Arts are 52, 52, & 52.
General Emphasis
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Preparatory Subject Matter | ||
| PHI 012 | Introduction to Symbolic Logic | 4 |
| Choose one course each from any three areas: | 12 | |
| (a) General Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| (b) Ancient Philosophy | ||
| Philosophical Classics of the Ancient Era | ||
| (c) Early Modern Philosophy | ||
| Philosophical Classics of the Modern Era | ||
| (d) Philosophy of Mind | ||
| Minds, Brains, & Computers with Discussion | ||
| (e) Ethics | ||
| Ethical & Social Problems in Contemporary Society | ||
| Introduction to Bioethics | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| (f) Philosophy of Science | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy of Science | ||
| Appraising Scientific Reasoning | ||
| Understanding Scientific Change | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy of Biology | ||
| (g) Philosophy of Language | ||
| Language, Thought, & World | ||
| (h) Metaphysics | ||
| Metaphysics 1 | ||
| (i) Theory of Knowledge | ||
| Theory of Knowledge 1 | ||
| Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal | 16 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | ||
| Upper division units in Philosophy (100-199) | 36 | |
| Depth Subject Matter Subtotal | 36 | |
| Total Units | 52 | |
- 1
Note: PHI 101 and PHI 102 may not be counted toward both preparatory and depth subject matter units.
Pre-Law Emphasis
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Preparatory Subject Matter | ||
| PHI 005 | Critical Reasoning | 4 |
| PHI 012 | Introduction to Symbolic Logic | 4 |
| PHI 024 | Introduction to Ethics | 4 |
| Choose one: | 4 | |
| Ethical & Social Problems in Contemporary Society | ||
| Introduction to Bioethics | ||
| Philosophical Foundations of American Democracy | ||
| Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal | 16 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | ||
| PHI 112 | Intermediate Symbolic Logic | 4 |
| PHI 119 | Philosophy of Law | 4 |
| Philosophy of Law | ||
| Choose two courses from the following "Philosophy of Law" Group | 8 | |
| Theory of Knowledge | ||
| Ethical Theories | ||
| Political Philosophy | ||
| Bioethics | ||
| Rationality | ||
| Special Topics in Philosophy: Philosophy of Law | ||
| History of Philosophy | ||
| Choose one course from the following "History of Philosophy" Group | 4 | |
| History of Ethics | ||
| Socrates & the Socratic Dialogue | ||
| Hellenistic Philosophy | ||
| Christian, Islamic, & Jewish Philosophers of the Middle Ages | ||
| Plato | ||
| Aristotle | ||
| Descartes | ||
| Spinoza & Leibniz | ||
| Hume | ||
| Kant | ||
| Special Topics in Philosophy: History of Philosophy | ||
| Additional upper division elective units in philosophy (100-199). | 16 | |
| Depth Subject Matter Subtotal | 36 | |
| Total Units | 52 | |
Pre-Med Emphasis
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Preparatory Subject Matter | ||
| PHI 012 | Introduction to Symbolic Logic | 4 |
| PHI 015 | Introduction to Bioethics | 4 |
| PHI 038 | Introduction to Philosophy of Biology | 4 |
| Choose one: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy of Science | ||
| Appraising Scientific Reasoning | ||
| Understanding Scientific Change | ||
| Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal | 16 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | ||
| PHI 112 | Intermediate Symbolic Logic | 4 |
| PHI 121 | Bioethics | 4 |
| Philosophy of Science | ||
| Choose one course from the following "Philosophy of Science" Group | 4 | |
| Philosophy of the Physical Sciences | ||
| Philosophy of the Biological Sciences | ||
| Rationality | ||
| Special Topics in Philosophy: Philosophy of Science | ||
| Additional upper division elective units in Philosophy (100-199). | 24 | |
| Note: Admission to medical schools requires additional coursework not included in the Pre-Med Emphasis. Refer to Health Professions Advising for more information. 1 | ||
| Depth Subject Matter Subtotal | 36 | |
| Total Units | 52 | |