Philosophy engages the most deep, important and persistent questions, questions concerning the nature of the good life, why we believe and how we know, the nature of the self and its connection with the world and with society, and the foundations of justice. Philosophy engages such questions through critical analysis of textual evidence, clear and rigorous argumentation, and questioning of unexamined personal and cultural assumptions. The study of the history of philosophy is central to this pursuit. The BA in philosophy not only provides excellent preparation for graduate and professional school in a variety of areas; it also provides marketable skills in high demand and a broad range of employment opportunities.
UT Dallas benefits from an unusual structure in the School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology, which lacks traditional departments and has many levels of coordination and integration across programs, including our interdisciplinary humanities PhD program. Far from being an abstruse, removed, and self-contained subject, philosophy degree at UT Dallas is an engaged and interdisciplinary pursuit. It is particularly suited to the STEM excellence of UT Dallas, with a practical and theoretical emphasis on the philosophy of science, technology, and medicine. and the presence of the Center for Values in Medicine, Science, and Technology.