Engaged in the Contemporary World
MSU Philosophy aspires to be a pluralist department that supports a wide range of approaches to doing philosophy. As a department, we pursue this work through attention to our core values: accountability, responsibility, and respect.
By pursuing these values, we commit to taking necessary actions to develop a departmental culture that sustains safety, inclusivity, and equity. These actions include self-reflection, open conversation, and focused workshops.
Accountability
Responsibility
Respect
Academics
Our graduate program offers traditional and practical areas in
We offer
Small Class Sizes & Flexible Scheduling
Individual attention from award-winning faculty, staff, and advisors in classes offered on campus and online – create your own path through a major or minor.
Philosophy That Matters
Philosophical methods, resources, and elements of traditional areas of philosophy to help address practical issues of concern to society at large and to disciplines outside of philosophy.
Philosophy Beyond the Classroom
Senior Thesis, Philosophy Club, Fellowships, Distinguished Philosophy speaker series, experiential learning, career preparation.
Degree areas
Philosophy BA
Philosophy BA critically examines the most basic beliefs about the world and the place of people in it.
Philosophy Law Major
Philosophy BA-MA
Admission to the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s program allows the application of up to 9 credits toward the master’s program
Philosophy MA
The Philosophy MA program may choose from the following areas: Philosophy and Ethics of Health Care, Social and Political Thought, Ethics and Development, Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
Philosophy PHD
Philosophy and Ethics of Health Care, Social and Political Thought, Ethics and Development, Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
Philosophy Minor
Philosophy Law Minor
Philosophy BA
A Philosophy BA critically examines the fundamental beliefs about the world and the place of people in it. We offer THREE distinct majors: Philosophy, Philosophy and Law, and Philosophy and the Sciences.
Philosophy BA-MA
Admission to the linked Bachelor’s-Master’s program is currently suspended.
Philosophy MA
We no longer admit students to the MA program.
Philosophy PHD
The PhD program emphasizes a broad range of philosophical issues. Opportunities exist for interdisciplinary work, specializations, and concentrations.
Philosophy Minor
Philosophy Law Minor
How Can Philosophy Impact Communities?
Chayse Hurley ‘19
Student
What Unique Skills can Philosophy Provide?
Victor Draine ‘12
Alumni
Chase Hurley ’19
Victor Draine ’12
undergraduate experience
Our Philosophy major offers a you a personalized experience. We empower our students to think critically and examine the most basic beliefs about the world we live in.
CHANGING THE WORLD WITH ENGAGED PHILOSOPHY
Through the creation of the Engaged Philosophy Internship Program (EPIP), MSU’s Department of Philosophy is hoping to change how the world views philosophy.
“What we do in the Toolbox Dialogue Initiative is use philosophy to structure a dialogue among collaborators in complex projects that focus on real-world issues like climate change or invasive species.”
Michael O’Rourke
Professor of Philosophy
Director of the Toolbox Dialogue Initiative, an NSF-sponsored research initiative
Philosophy Professor Interviewed for the APA
Megan Dean discusses her work on the ethics of eating in a recent interview for the American Philosophical Association Blog.
Philosophy Department Recognized for the Engaged Philosophy Internship Program
The Daily Nous, a philosophy news site, recently recognized the department for excellence in preparing graduate students for non-academic career paths through the Engaged Philosophy Internship Program.
Fusing Ideas Through Philosophy: Center Elevates Collaborative Research Between the Arts and Sciences
“When we practice philosophy in C4I, we practice engaged philosophy. We apply principles and offer services that leverage the power of philosophy and help others understand why philosophy is important to the world.”
Philosophy Professor Recognized for Anti-Violence Research
Elena Ruíz’s anti-violence research has attracted the interest and support of advocacy organizations and philanthropic groups world-wide, including the Me Too Movement Organization for which she was named principal researcher for gender-based violence in January 2020.
featured News
Four MSU Faculty Honored with Fintz Award for Teaching Excellence
Four College of Arts & Letters faculty have been selected as this year’s recipients of the Fintz Award for Teaching Excellence in the Arts and Humanities in recognition of their exemplary Integrative Arts and Humanities (IAH) instruction. Presented each spring by the Center for Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities (CISAH), the Fintz Award, which is student nominated, recognizes outstanding faculty who engage students in arts and humanities ways of knowing while helping them develop critical thinking and effective communication skills.
Philosopher Heather Douglas Awarded Honorary Doctorate in Belgium
Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium — Prominent philosopher of science Heather Douglas was awarded an honorary doctorate this week by UCLouvain, recognizing her influential work on science, values, and public trust. The ceremony brought together leading scholars and guests, with Douglas sharing the stage alongside noted historian Olivette Otele. The honor was part of a broader series of academic events hosted by the university, where Douglas delivered multiple talks and engaged with faculty and students. Among her presentations was a lecture titled “Fostering Trustworthy Science,” delivered during a workshop on science and values organized by the Institute for Philosophy. She also spoke
MSU Philosophy Student Satyam Sinha Wins Zerby Prize, Earns U.S. Senate Internship
Michigan State University has announced that philosophy major Satyam Sinha is the recipient of this year’s Lewis K. Zerby Prize, awarded annually for the best philosophy paper written by an undergraduate student. Satyam has also received a summer legislative internship with U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) in Washington DC. He will be supporting the office’s overall operations and legislative capabilities by attending committee hearings and working with the other interns on a legislative project to propose a bill to the Senator for him to sponsor. “I’m really excited for this internship”, says Satyam, “because I will get to learn
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