Philosophy literally means the love of wisdom. To love wisdom is to take seriously your most profound questions, to refuse to accept blindly the appearances of things and to reflect on the standards offered to you by the surrounding culture, and to live an examined life in pursuit of the Truth that sets one free. A major in philosophy teaches you to read, think, and converse at the highest and deepest levels. It liberates you from being intimidated by difficult ideas. It also puts you into contact with some of the greatest minds of our own and other cultures, while also promoting your capacity to discover new thinkers and ideas beyond the classroom. Finally, philosophy is at the heart of the Catholic intellectual tradition, for, as St. John Paul II put it, "faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth."
Saint Vincent provides opportunities to double major, minor, or earn additional certificates to enhance your education and marketability. Philosophy majors often combine their studies with the following:
Housed in the Department of Philosophy, the Thomistic Institute Saint Vincent College Chapter regularly hosts dinners and lectures given by visiting scholars on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.
Traveling Monastery Fall Backpacking Trip is a travel course that explores the philosophical foundations of outdoor leadership through study, practical training, and a 35-40 mile backpacking trip on the Laurel Highlands Trail. Students embrace Benedictine traditions, focusing on collaboration, fellowship, and problem-solving.
Our majors gain invaluable experience in tutoring their fellow students and in serving as research assistants to faculty members. An important ongoing project is the development of a special collection in the Dale P. Latimer Library that serves American and international scholars. Philosophy majors working on this project learn important research skills that prepare them for advanced studies and employment opportunities in a variety of fields.
Combine your philosophy major with a classical thought minor to deepen your understanding of ancient philosophy, logic, the Great Books, and the classical education movement. With classes in Latin, classical education and Roman politics, this interdisciplinary approach enriches your studies and broadens your intellectual horizons.
Philosophical training hones critical thinking, reading, and writing skills, which are highly valuable for careers in business, ministry, education, and politics. Philosophy majors consistently earn some of the highest scores on graduate school entrance exams. Those who choose to pursue a career directly after college thrive in a wide variety of workplaces.
Recent alumni have been admitted for graduate or law school at such prestigious institutions as:
"Socrates said that the unexamined life is not worth living; I'm not sure he's 100% correct, but I certainly know the fulfillment that studying philosophy has brought me. The ability to parse through ideas logically, to think with clarity and precision through ethical quandaries, and the appreciation for the great minds whose shoulders we stand upon: these things are great gifts given to me by my studies at SVC. I also think that there have been tremendous benefits to my professional work from my philosophy studies. My work as an administrator in inner-city elementary education constantly requires of me the mental acuity that I formed during my studies at Saint Vincent. I will be forever grateful to my philosophy professors there."
Head of School, Central City Ministry of Toledo
“To paint with a broad brush, philosophy, theology, and political science deal overlappingly with what we know of ourselves, what we know of God, and what we seek to do in response to this knowledge. Taking classes in all three majors instilled the beginnings of a belief that there should be a unity between all three fields. All that we say and do should stem from and flow into what we believe.”
US Naval Chaplain, Archdiocese for the Military Services, US
"Because the word 'philosophy' is Greek for 'love of wisdom,' studying philosophy well is more than just learning subject material—it entails engaging with great ideas that intimately inform how one understands the world around him, how he should live his life, and his relationship with his Creator. In this regard, the goals of philosophy share the same goals of an authentic college education in forming both the minds and hearts of its students. I can proudly say that I graduated from Saint Vincent College as a better critical thinker who has succeeded in graduate studies in bioethics and in the workplace and, more importantly, as a lover of wisdom whose pursuit of the true, good, and beautiful has been greatly aided by his studies and mentorship within the SVC philosophy department."
Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture
Major - 36 credits
Required Courses (30 Credits)
Elective Courses - Plus 2 courses from the following (6)
Minor - 18 Credits
Required Courses (6 Credits)
Elective Courses (12 Credits)
Justice and Charity: This course explores the virtues of justice and charity, essential for securing the common good. Through St. Thomas Aquinas’ virtue theory, students will study these virtues’ roles in moral, economic, and political life, and apply Aquinas’ insights to contemporary issues and Catholic Social Teaching.
Ethics and Technology: This course examines moral questions arising from technological advancements. It covers the history and philosophy of technology, ethical theories, and their application to cybertechnology, surveillance, new media, robotics, AI, and biotechnology. The goal is to evaluate moral frameworks for guiding actions amidst increasing automation.
Philosophical Anthropology: This course explores the question, “What does it mean to be a human being?” It examines leading views of human existence over the past 24 centuries, focusing on our capacity for independent action and the influence of historical, linguistic, and cultural elements. The course reflects on the character of human nature.
The Saint Vincent Center for Catholic Thought and Culture (CCTC) is an invaluable resource for philosophy majors at Saint Vincent College. Established in the spirit of Boniface Wimmer’s mission, the CCTC fosters interdisciplinary academic inquiry rooted in the Catholic Intellectual and Benedictine Wisdom Traditions. It offers programs in theology, philosophy, marriage and family, politics, economics, rhetoric, art, and science, demonstrating the intellectual rigor of Catholic thought and its impact on personal and community well-being.
The Writing Center, located in the Dale P. Latimer Library, offers support to enhance writing skills. Trained consultants provide 1:1 tutorials, group sessions, and workshops, guiding students through all stages of writing. Rooted in Benedictine Hallmarks, the center fosters a welcoming and constructive environment, celebrating individuality and collaboration to help students become confident, independent writers.
