Philosophy at UMass

Our department has a long and distinguished history of producing cutting-edge research and academic excellence. Our community includes scholars at all levels who engage with each other and the world outside to produce philosophy that is rigorous and meaningful. We believe the skills acquired through philosophical training at the college level are valuable whatever one's ultimate career turns out to be.

Memorial Service for Vere Chappel [UPDATED]

June 21, 2019

A memorial service for Vere Chappel (1930-2019), Distinguished Professor Emeritus, will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2019 in the Old Chapel at UMass Amherst, from 2pm to 4pm.

Julia Jorati Coming to UMass

April 05, 2019

We are very happy to announce that Professor Julia Jorati will be joining our faculty beginning Fall 2019. Professor Jorati received her Ph.D. from Yale University in 2013 and has been on the...

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Events

Sep

Speaker Series: Branden Fitelson, Northeastern University

South College E470
3:30 pm

Oct

Speaker Series: Jamie Dreier, Brown University

South College E470
3:30 pm

Nov

Speaker Series: David Chalmers, NYU

South College E470
3:30 pm

More Events »

Major

Why Philosophy?

Whatever your career aspirations, the study of philosophy can help in strengthening your preparation, through developing your capacities to think and reason well, to deal critically and analytically with the ideas, the concepts, the problems, and the methodologies central to your chosen profession. Yet the study of philosophy equips you not just with skills for a trade or profession; it equips you with an important skill for living.

Learn about the major