Philosophy is an ancient subject, whose origins can be traced back in excess of two thousand years, to the great civilizations of Greece, India, and China.  Most of the philosophy written and taught in the Western world, however, belongs to the tradition that begins with Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, who represent the pinnacle of classical Greek Thought.

Traditionally known as "the Queen of the Sciences," philosophy continues to occupy the center of humanities and liberal arts curricula, worldwide, and is an ongoing field of active research and scholarship. There is no distinctive philosophical subject-matter, for philosophy has always brought its unique brand of thought -- one that involves formal and informal reasoning, linguistic analysis, and related cognitive tools -- to bear on the full spectrum of subjects, including religion, mathematics, natural science, ethics, politics, language, art and many others.

About Philosophy
Answers to common questions about the study of philosophy, plus information on careers and how to major or minor in the discipline.

Philosophy Faculty
The Philosophy Department has six full-time faculty members, making it one of the larger philosophy faculties at a state university in Missouri, yet small enough to allow plenty of personal contact with students and professors. The faculty represent a variety of philosophical and topical interests, many of whom have received university awards for both teaching and scholarship.

Philosophy Scholarships
Philosophy Scholarships are awarded in the Spring Semester each year. Check here for qualifications and procedures.

News from the Department
Click here to learn the latest news from the department.

Alumni News
To all of our alums out there, if you have news about recent changes in your career or location, please be sure to let us know. Take a minute to send us an e-mail at Philosophy@missouristate.edu. We'd love to hear from you!