Philosophy Major Philosophy Major Philosophy is the original home of critical thinking, rigorous analysis, and systematic argumentation. Its work demands clarity, objectivity, sound reasoning, fairness, and good writing. The study of philosophy builds conceptual skills exportable to any branch of the Army and to all professions, skills essential to leadership. Breadcrumb philosophy major Majors-and-Minors-left MENU Explore Academic Majors and Minors Academic Majors American Politics Major Applied Statistics and Data Sciences Major Chemical Engineering Major Chemistry Major Civil Engineering Major Computer Science Major Cyber Science Major Defense and Strategic Studies Major Economics Major Electrical Engineering Major Engineering Management Major Engineering Psychology Major English Major Environmental Engineering Major Environmental Science Major Foreign Area Studies: Africa Major Foreign Area Studies: East Asia Major Foreign Area Studies: Eurasia Major Foreign Area Studies: Europe Major Foreign Area Studies: Latin America Major Foreign Area Studies: Middle East Major Foreign Language: Arabic Major Foreign Language: Chinese Major Foreign Language: French Major Foreign Language: German Major Foreign Language: Persian Major Foreign Language: Portuguese Major Foreign Language: Russian Major Foreign Language: Spanish Major Geography Major Geospatial Information Science Major History Major International Affairs Major Kinesiology Major Law and Legal Studies Major Life Science Major Management Major Mathematical Sciences Major Mechanical Engineering Major Nuclear Engineering Major Operations Research Major Philosophy Major Physics Major Sociology Major Space Science Major Systems & Decision Sciences Major Systems Engineering Major Academic Minors Aeronautical Engineering Minor America in the World Minor American Foundations Minor Applied Statistics Minor Cyber Security Minor Diversity and Inclusion Studies Minor Engineering Management Minor General History Minor Geography Minor Grand Strategy Minor Network Science Minor Nuclear Science Minor Photonics Minor Regional Studies Minor Robotics Minor Space Science Minor Systems Engineering Minor Terrorism Studies Minor War Technology and Society Minor Guidance on Choosing an Academic Major Overview Courses Enrichment The philosophy major pushes cadets to investigate the very nature of human knowledge; the relationship between mind and matter; and fundamental principles of the kind that underlie religion, science, and politics. The study of philosophy also has a significant cultural dimension. It challenges cadets to understand attitudes, beliefs and arguments from other societies. West Point's philosophy major is designed to ensure breadth and to encourage depth. Majors will learn to do the following:analyze and construct philosophical argumentsshow competency in logic and other core areas of philosophybecome familiar with major historical areas, figures, and problems of philosophyunderstand philosophical ideas within their historical and cultural contextsthink and write in a rigorous and precise manneruse critical thinking skills to provide original or innovative approaches to philosophical problemsapply philosophical methods in a variety of contexts at the personal and social levelsapply philosophical methods across disciplinary boundaries to a broad range of issues in the modern world The intellectual skills and experience the philosophy major fosters are beneficial to the Army and will be an asset to any branch. This major offers an honors track. To learn more about this area of study, visit the Department of English and Philosophy. Required CoursesPY300 PHILOSOPHICAL METHODSPY305 LOGICAL REASONINGPhilosophy Core Area Course (Choose 1)PY310 REALITY AND KNOWLEDGEPY320 ETHICS Sample ElectivesPY325 MILITARY ETHICS PY326 CYBER ETHICS PY329 TOPICS IN ETHICS PY330 POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY PY345 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION PY350 PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE PY355 PHILOSOPHY OF MIND PY360 ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY PY369 EASTERN THOUGHT PY370 17TH & 18TH CENTURY PHILOSOPHY PY375 KANT & 19TH CENTURY PHILOSOPHY PY380 20TH CENTURY PHILOSOPHY PY390 INTER-DEPARTMENT SEMINAR PY395 SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY PY495 INDEPENDENT STUDY: PHILOSOPHY XH400 INTERCOLLEGIATE SEMINAR This major offers an honors track. To learn more, view the full Philosophy Major Curriculum. Philosophy majors have a number of enrichment opportunities including: Philosophy Forum guest lectures, travel to competitions and part of the Philosophy Ethics Debate Team, attendance of the Mid-Hudson Philosophy Society Annual conference, participation in the Ethics of War Annual Conference Partnership with Villanova University, presentations at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs Panel , as well as the opportunity to present work at various undergraduates conferences or in journals. Honor Societies:Golden Key - International Honour SocietyPhi Kappa Phi - Oldest and Largest Collegiate Honor SocietyTo learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of English and Philosophy or the center associated with this department/area of study.