Philosophy Minor
Fostering critical thinking and depth of understanding, philosophy is an excellent complement to any major field of study at Southern Oregon University.
Philosophy – Academic Minor
Philosophy, Minor
Offered as a Secondary Discipline Minor
The word “philosophy” derives from two Greek words, ‘philo’ and ‘sophia,’ meaning “love of wisdom.” Wisdom is not comprised of only knowledge, but a sense of what knowledge is all about. Philosophy gives us insight into the hidden presuppositions underlying the way we look at ourselves and the rest of the world. Philosophy is an activity people undertake when they seek to understand themselves, the world they live in, and their relationship to the world and each other.o the world and each other.
The study of philosophy has always been of serious interest to human beings. In addition, in any field – from teaching, to business, to medicine, to law, to computer programming and public service – the ability to think clearly and creatively as well as the capacity to solve problems is central to professional success and personal satisfaction.
Of course, while taking one or two philosophy classes does not guarantee success, a philosophy class is one of the best ways to work on the acquisition and development of:
- Critical thinking skills – The ability to identify key issues in decision-making or problem-solving; and to identify various related problems and solutions.
- Skills in argumentation – The ability to proceed in a valid and sound way from premises to conclusions; to rationally persuade others; to more rigorously seek reasoned self-understanding.
- Communication skills – The ability to summarize the content of a message clearly and objectively (for example, to differentiate fact from value); to explain complex ideas and principles.
While honing the skills noted above with one or two elective philosophy classes can help advance a wide variety of personal and professional goals, adding philosophy to your undergraduate program in a more significant way will allow for the time and practice necessary to develop them. Every reason for taking a philosophy course is a reason for minoring in philosophy. Philosophy covers a very broad range of academic and professional concerns: whatever your major or your personal or your career interests, you can be sure that philosophy touches upon them in some way. A minor in philosophy gives you the opportunity to further explore the connections between philosophy and other disciplines.
Degree Fit
Program Preparation
The Philosophy and Ethics minor degrees are a good fit for students who are majoring in another discipline and would like to complement their professional skills with training in critical thinking, philosophical argumentation, and written and verbal communication.
Degree Roadmap
The Philosophy and Ethics minors are designed for students who have philosophical talents and interests and are prepared to learn in a formal academic environment. The Philosophy and Ethics minor degree programs at SOU will prepare students to pursue a major in philosophy elsewhere, or simply to engage in other intellectual endeavors with greater clarity and depth of understanding.
Degree Integration
Many students are delighted to find that a Philosophy minor complements their major. Whether a student is getting a degree in Business, Environmental Science, or Education, a Philosophy minor degree can enhance a wide range of field-specific studies, make a graduate more agile and competitive on the job market, and prepare students for Graduate/Professional school standardized tests, such as the GRE, the LSAT, and the GMAT.
Career Opportunities & Outlook
Section Contents: Philosophy Programs
Contact the Philosophy Program
SOU Philosophy Program
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6181
– Questions About Philosophy? –