Philosophy
Department of Philosophy
College of Arts and Sciences
132 Park Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4150
Phone: 716.645.2444, ext. 132
Fax: 716.645.6139
Web: wings.buffalo.edu/philosophy
Carolyn Korsmeyer
Chair
About the Department
Philosophy is a reasoned pursuit of fundamental truths, a quest for understanding, a study of principles of conduct. It seeks to establish standards of evidence, to provide rational methods of resolving conflicts, and to create techniques for evaluating ideas and arguments. Philosophy develops the capacity to see the world from the perspective of other individuals and other cultures.
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate: B.A., Minor
Concentrations: (within Minor) Arts, General Philosophy, Law, Logic, Science
Graduate: M.A., Ph.D.
About Our Degrees
Degrees in philosophy reflect wide-ranging study of the questions "What can we know?", "What ought we do?", "What can we hope?", and the proposed answers to these. The degrees provide competencies in considering issues from a variety of perspectives, seeking the essential questions involved, and developing both the criteria for successful answers to those questions, and the answers themselves--abilities valuable in every post-baccalaureate setting.
About Our Courses
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
One philosophy course with a minimum grade of "C."
Class Instructors
Many introductory courses and almost all advanced courses are taught by faculty.
Degree Requirements
See the Undergraduate Catalog.
For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Faculty
Philosophy faculty have a wide variety of interests and specializations, offering multiple perspectives on philosophical problems and issues. Professor Korsmeyer specializes in aesthetics, Professor Cho in contemporary European philosophies, Professor Corcoran in logic, Professor Dipert in American philosophies, Professor Gracia in medieval and contemporary metaphysics and Latin American philosophy, Professor Kearns in analytic philosophy, Professor Smith in contemporary ontology, Professor Barber in the history of modern philosophy, Professor Lawler in 19th century philosophy, Professor Yu in ancient philosophy and Chinese philosophy, Professor Hershenov and Professor Shockley in ethics, and Professor Baumer in professional and business ethics.
Several faculty have international backgrounds: Kah Kyung Cho from Korea, Jorge J.E. Gracia from Cuba via Canada, Barry Smith from Great Britain via Liechtenstein, and Jiyuan Yu from China (the People's Republic).
Many faculty have international reputations for their research and publications, notably: SUNY Distinguished Professor and Samuel P. Capen Chair Jorge J.E. Gracia, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Kah Kyung Cho, C.S. Peirce Professor of American Philosophy Randall Dipert, and Julian Park Professor and SUNY Distinguished Professor Barry Smith.
Special Academic Opportunities
Undergraduate majors in philosophy may pursue independent study of a particular topic or issue with a philosophy faculty member. Majors with very good grade point averages in philosophy may pursue honors, independent study, or a graduate seminar for undergraduate credit.
Majors may specialize in selected areas, including professional and medical ethics, philosophy of law, logic, and the history of philosophy.
The Steinberg Award is presented annually to the student who submits the best original work on a philosophical theme. Aulitionally, the Mary C. Whitman Scholarship is awarded yearly to an outstanding senior philosophy major.
Extracurricular Activities
The Philosophy Club is open to all philosophy majors and minors, providing opportunity for discussion with fellow undergraduates of issues and topics of current interest.
See the UB Student Association.
Complementary Programs and Courses
Majors that Complement Philosophy
- Computer Science
- English
- History
- Mathematics
- Natural sciences
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Social Sciences Interdisciplinary: Cognitive Science
Minors that Complement Philosophy
- Computer Science
- English
- History
- Mathematics
- Political Science
Courses Outside Philosophy that May Improve Employment Opportunities
- Education
- Foreign languages
- Management
- Marketing
- Technical writing
Advising Information
Majors, minors, and students considering a major or minor in philosophy are encouraged to discuss their interests and plans of study with:
Professor William H. Baumer, Director of Undergraduate Studies
136C Park Hall
Phone: 716-645-2444, ext. 134
E-mail: whbaumer@buffalo.edu
Career Information
Many philosophy majors go on to post-baccalaureate study in law, medicine, or philosophy. Philosophy majors pursue careers in teaching, medicine, law, business, social and natural sciences, arts, journalism and government.
Position titles for philosophy B.A.'s include, among others: research analyst, grant coordinator, underwriter, fund raiser, story analyst, employment interviewer, financial aid counselor, credit counselor, claims adjudicator, lobbyist and recruiter.
Salaries range widely. Philosophy majors can increase employment prospects with part-time or summer job experiences while a student, as well as with an occupationally related minor, e.g., computer science, finance, management, marketing, or technical writing.