B.A. in Philosophy

All Niagara University students are required to take three philosophy courses: Introduction to Philosophy, Ethics, and an upper-level elective. The introduction course familiarizes students with the philosophical method by means of surveying many of the important philosophical questions and proposed answers in past and contemporary times. The ethics course causes students to reflect upon the principles by which they do and will continue to live their lives. The upper-level elective allows students to choose one area of philosophy of particular interest to pursue at a deeper level. Students who wish to obtain a minor in philosophy can do so by taking two additional upper-level courses. Those who major in philosophy or study it as part of a double major gain a full appreciation of the field of philosophy while further developing their abilities to think clearly, reason critically and argue rationally and persuasively. Philosophy is the cornerstone of a liberal arts education. It asks and searches for answers to some of the deepest, most personal questions that all human beings have had, such as: “Is there a God and, if so, why does evil exist?” “Do we really have free will in our actions?” “What is the ethical thing to do?” “How do I know for sure that I’m not living in a dream? How can I know anything?” “Is ‘artificial intelligence’ possible?” “What are the metaphysical building blocks of the world?” “What counts as a logical, rational answer?” and “What is the meaning of life?” Moreover, philosophy will accept answers to these questions only if they can be rationally defended and are logically persuasive. As such, philosophy develops students’ critical thinking skills. Students who have had a firm grounding in philosophy are ready to enter the world as rational, freethinking, and critically reflective citizens and human beings.