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Utica University
Lenore Fleming - Philosophy in Classroom 0440

Philosophy

  1. Academics
  2. Our Programs
  3. Philosophy

About This Program

You’re fascinated by the big questions: Why are we here? What should we believe? What’s right and what’s wrong? You enjoy deconstructing problems in order to find solutions. You know that knowledge is more than a set of facts. Philosophy may be the major for you.

Department

Philosophy Department

Why Utica University

The philosophy major at Utica University enables students to develop crucial capacities that provide a basis for successful living. The ability to think clearly with insight is essential when evaluating the competing claims of alternative value systems and world views. Taught by a highly accomplished faculty, our programs cultivate ethical decision-making, critical thinking, effective communication, and a deeper level of insight.

Related Programs

  • Philosophy of Law (minor)

Contact Information

Office of Admissions

(315) 792-3006
admiss@utica.edu

Christopher Riddle, Ph.D.

Chair of Philosophy
(315) 792-3759
cariddle@utica.edu

General Information

Track

  • Major

Degree

  • B.A.

Location

  • Utica Campus
Utica Excellence, Utica Value

Philosophy at Utica

For no light matter is at stake; the question concerns the very manner in which human life is to be lived.

Plato Philosopher

Percentage of philosophy graduates employed within 6 months of graduation

93%

Career Opportunities

Philosophy majors develop knowledge and skills that can be applied to a broad range of career paths, including:
    • Law
    • Public Administration
    • Research
    • Corporate Administration
    • Teaching
    • And more!
Books Pencils Education Learning generic

Three Academic Minors

Utica University offers related academic minors in philosophy, healthcare ethics, and philosophy of law.
Woman Thinking Traveling Thought Philosophy generic

Always Thinking

Taught by a highly accomplished faculty, our programs cultivate ethical decision-making, clear and systematic thinking, effective communication, and a deeper level of insight.

What You'll Learn

The philosophy curriculum offers a thorough grounding in the history of philosophy, ethics, logic and critical thinking. An examination of the nature and historical development of the most fundamental ideas of Western philosophy is included, as is the systematic study of major theories of ethics and logical and epistemological principles. Students receive intensive training in the main subfields of philosophy:

  • ethics
  • logic
  • epistemology (theories of belief and knowledge)
  • metaphysics (theories of reality)
  • political philosophy (theories of justice)
  • history of philosophy
Full Philosophy Curriculum and Learning Objectives
Sunset Water Generic - Philosophy Meditation Wellness

Philosophy Faculty

Douglas Edwards_0023 smaller
Douglas O. Edwards, Ph.D.
  • Associate Professor of Philosophy
Dr. Leonore Fleming
Leonore Fleming, Ph.D.
  • Associate Professor of Philosophy
John Lawless
John C. Lawless, Ph.D.
  • Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Dr. Christopher Riddle
Christopher A. Riddle, Ph.D.
  • Professor of Philosophy

Adjunct Faculty

Robert M. Halliday, DPHIL
  • Professor of Philosophy
Michael S. Kocsis, Ph.D.
  • Adjunct Lecturer of Philosophy
Robert G. Umidi, Ph.D.
  • Adjunct Lecturer of Philosophy
Frederick P. Zammiello, Ph.D.
  • Associate Professor Emeritus of Philosophy

A Degree That Works

Philosophy majors develop knowledge and skills that can be applied to a broad range of career paths, including law, public administration, research, corporate administration, teaching, and more. Utica University philosophy alumni have taken leadership positions at:

  • Sun Life Financial
  • Wagner College
  • New York State Capital Defender's Office
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Utica College - DePerno Hall
David Cooney '20Play Video

Student Voices: David Cooney

History major, philosophy minor, and U.S. Army veteran David Cooney talks about his experience at Utica University and his passion for preserving the past for future generations.

Student Voices Anthony SokolowskiPlay Video

Student Voices: Anthony Sokolowski

A brief conversation with Anthony Sokolowski, a government and politics major with a minor in philosophy of justice. Anthony talks about his experience at Utica University, his professors, and his internship at the Office of the Oneida County District Attorney.

Utica University

The Applied Ethics Institute

Utica University is home to The Applied Ethics Institute, founded in 1986, promoting public discussion of contemporary ethical issues within the college, professional and civic groups, and the broader community.

LEARN MORE

Related Programs

Lenore Fleming - Philosophy_0285
Undergraduate
Philosophy (minor)
Lenore Fleming - Philosophy_0285
Undergraduate
Philosophy of Law (minor)
Students in Lenore Fleming Philosophy Class_0181
Undergraduate
Healthcare Ethics (minor)
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