Due to the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak, MSU is suspending face-to-face instruction in lectures, seminars, and classroom settings and moving coursework to virtual instruction effective March 11, 2020.
For updates and more information visit
Engaged in the Contemporary World
MSU Philosophy aspires to be a pluralist department that supports a wide range of approaches to doing philosophy. As a department, we pursue this work through attention to our core values: accountability, responsibility and respect.
By pursuing these values, we commit to taking the actions necessary to develop a departmental culture that sustains safety, inclusivity, and equity. These actions include self-reflection, open conversation, and focused workshops
Accountability
Responsibility
Respect
Academics
Our program offers traditional and practical areas in
environmental philosophy & ethics
social and political thought
socially engaged philosophy of science
We offer
Small Class Sizes & Flexible Scheduling
Individual attention from award-winning faculty, staff, and advisors in classes offered on campus and online – create your own path through a major or minor
Philosophy That Matters
Philosophical methods, resources, and elements of traditional areas of philosophy to help address practical issues of concern to society at large and to disciplines outside of philosophy
Philosophy Beyond the Classroom
Senior Thesis, Philosophy Club, Fellowships, Distinguished Philosophy speaker series, experiential learning, career preparation
Degree areas
Philosophy BA
Philosophy BA critically examines the most basic beliefs about the world and the place of people in it.
Philosophy Law Major
Philosophy BA-MA
Admission to the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s program allows the application of up to 9 credits toward the master’s program
Philosophy MA
The Philosophy MA program may choose from the following areas: Philosophy and Ethics of Health Care, Social and Political Thought, Ethics and Development, Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
Philosophy PHD
Philosophy and Ethics of Health Care, Social and Political Thought, Ethics and Development, Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
Philosophy Minor
Philosophy Law Minor
Philosophy BA
Philosophy BA critically examines the most basic beliefs about the world and the place of people in it.
Philosophy BA-MA
Admission to the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s program allows the application of up to 9 credits toward the master’s program
Philosophy MA
The Philosophy MA program may choose from the following areas: Philosophy and Ethics of Health Care, Social and Political Thought, Ethics and Development, Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
Philosophy PHD
Philosophy and Ethics of Health Care, Social and Political Thought, Ethics and Development, Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
Philosophy Minor
Philosophy Law Minor
How Can Philosophy Impact Communities?
Chayse Hurley ‘19
Student
What Unique Skills can Philosophy Provide?
Victor Draine ‘12
Alumni
Chase Hurley ’19
Victor Draine ’12
undergraduate experience
CHANGING THE WORLD WITH ENGAGED PHILOSOPHY
Through the creation of the Engaged Philosophy Internship Program (EPIP), MSU’s Department of Philosophy is hoping to change how the world views philosophy.
“What we do in the Toolbox Dialogue Initiative is use philosophy to structure a dialogue among collaborators in complex projects that focus on real-world issues like climate change or invasive species.”
Michael O’Rourke
Professor of Philosophy
Director of the Toolbox Dialogue Initiative, an NSF-sponsored research initiative
featured News
Public Philosophy Journal Publishes First Issue
The Public Philosophy Journal (PPJ), led by Christopher P. Long, Dean of the College of Arts & Letters, and Dean Rehberger, Director of Matrix, has just released its first issue.
Legacy Continues through Endowed Chair
As a philosopher and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Whyte came to Michigan State University in the hope of addressing climate change and environmental issues, specifically within communities and tribal nations.
Professor John Grey wins Sanders Prize
Congratulations to Professor John Grey for winning the prize with his paper, “The Metaphysics of Natural Right in Spinoza”!
Youjin Kong wins Somers Teaching Excellence Award
The Somers Award recognizes graduate student instructors who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence, innovation and creativity in undergraduate teaching.
connect with Us