Nationally Known Scholars
OWU Philosophy Professor, Dr. Shari Stone-Mediatore, guest lectured at the University of California, Berkeley, on creative approaches to teaching about diversity.
Philosophy
Philosophy is integral to a person’s education, and certainly integral to the mission of a liberal arts college like Ohio Wesleyan University.
About the Major
Philosophy majors develop important skills through detailed textual analysis and lively intellectual debates that prepare them for careers in business, law, medicine, teaching, and the ministry. A low student-faculty ratio provides for a variety of carefully supervised individual research projects.
You’ll explore theories of idealism, materialism, utilitarianism, pragmatism, and existentialism, and you’ll study the world’s great philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Kant, Hegel, Mill, Nietzsche, Arendt, and Beauvoir.
You will learn to analyze, evaluate, and construct arguments in defense of particular views. There also is considerable attention paid to writing, with the aim of producing better, more precise, and persuasive writers.
Related Minors
Think Big
Every philosophy major works with a faculty mentor to complete a senior research project. In the form of an evolving research paper, students present their work to the class, revise it in light of collective critique, and build the paper into a finished project.
Excellence in Coursework
As a senior, Daniel Sweet '16 (left) won the Loyd D. Easton Award for "superior overall work in philosophy."
Go Global
From your first year on campus, you can get off campus—with Travel-Learning Courses. Journey to a distant land and immerse yourself in another culture. Learn how classroom theory truly connects with real-world experience.
Inspired Teaching
OWU faculty are outstanding scholars and researchers—and passionate teachers. They will push you, challenge you, inspire you, and work with you on your own research and creative projects.
They can even pack a 3-minute lecture with ideas, insight, and imagination. Check out our unique I³ lectures.
Highlights
Senior Research
Present your senior research project to the campus community at the annual Spring Student Symposium, or during the end-of-the-year Philosophy senior capstone presentations.
Honor Society
Participate in Phi Sigma Tau, the international philosophy honor society. Students can be eligible by their Sophomore year if they've completed two semesters of Philosophy courses and rank in the upper thirty-five percent of their class.
Environmental Ethics
Visit local farms and environmental projects in the Environmental Ethics class. This class is popular among students of all majors, especially students in the environmental and life sciences.
Graduate Outcomes
Joe Kirincic '16
A Philosophy and Mathematics double-major, Joe is a data analyst at OnShift, a computer software company in Cleveland, Ohio.
Headlines
Diverse Honor
Ohio Wesleyan’s Karlyn Crowley Named One of 25 Outstanding Women in Higher Education
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2021 Delaware Great Decisions
Virtual Discussions Begin March 12, Advance Registration Required
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A Look at Philosophy
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Department Contact Info
Location
Phillips Hall 114
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH 43015
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH 43015
Department Contact
Chair: Dr. Scott Calef
Professor of Philosophy
Phillips Hall 114
740-368-3791
swcalef@owu.edu
Academic Assistant: Kandi Akers
Phillips Hall 52
740-368-3802
kjakers@owu.edu
Professor of Philosophy
Phillips Hall 114
740-368-3791
swcalef@owu.edu
Academic Assistant: Kandi Akers
Phillips Hall 52
740-368-3802
kjakers@owu.edu