About Philosophy
The undergraduate program in philosophy provides students with a knowledge of key historical and contemporary philosophers and philosophical problems, together with a range of answers to those problems. They promote respect for clarity, truth, critical reflection and rational argument. Our program promotes independence of thought, rooted in a fair-minded understanding of opposing views, and strives to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the contemporary philosophical domain, competence at critical analysis, and the ability to write about abstract issues in a clear, nuanced and compelling manner. Both programs also seek to import an awareness of the application of philosophical thought to other academic disciplines or to matters of public interest, encouraging students to apply their philosophical skills more widely.
If you are interested in any of the following questions, then you are interested in philosophy: What is democracy and how can it be justified? Does the state have the right to limit the freedom of expression? What is the nature and extent of human knowledge? Can computers think? How can we tell the difference between right and wrong? Is it morally wrong to clone a human being? Do we have an obligation to protect the environment? Are there objective standards of artistic beauty? Are there good arguments for the existence of God?
There is a misconception that the only careers available to philosophy majors are in the academic field, as teachers in schools and universities. Nothing could be further from the truth. The majority move on to careers in other fields, and most of them find that their philosophical training gives them an important advantage in the various areas they end up working in.
This has to do with the nature of the subject and the kind of training that one gets as an undergraduate in philosophy. There is emphasis in philosophy on the development of critical thinking, rigorous reasoning, mastering abstract concepts, and expressing oneself lucidly and convincingly. Philosophy is a natural choice for an undergraduate looking for a broad-based liberal education.
Program Learning Outcomes
BA in Philosophy
Students majoring in philosophy are required to take a total of at least 36 credits of philosophy courses, which must include:
- PHIL 211
- PHIL 218
- One of PHIL 205, 206, 209 or 210 and
- Two of PHIL 212, PHIL 213, PHIL 214, and PHIL 225.
In addition, students must also take at least two of the seminar courses, which are numbered PHIL 250-262. One of those courses must be a Writing in the Disciplines (WID) course. Selected courses between PHIL 250 and PHIL 262 will be offered as Writing in the Disciplines courses.
Students should also choose, under the supervision of the department, a balanced program of systematic and historical courses. In addition, students must take the following University General Education Requirements.
For Students admitted before 2023
- English Communication Skills (6 credits)
- Arabic Communication Skills (3 credits)
- Humanities (12 credits including 6 credits of CVSP/CHLA);
- Social Sciences (6 credits: 3 credits in List I and 3 credits in List II);
- Natural Sciences (6 credits)
- Quantitative Thought (3 credits).
- One Writing in the Discipline course offered in the major.
For Students admitted since Fall 2023
- Understanding Communication (9 credits: 6 credits in English and 3 credits in Arabic)
- Quantitative Reasoning (3-6 credits)
- Writing in the Discipline (3 credits from within the major)
- Cultures and Histories (9 credits)
- Societies and Individuals (6 credits)
- Understanding the World (3-6 credits)
- Human Values (3 credits)
- Community-Engaged Learning (3 credits)
- Social Inequalities (3 credits from any designation)
- History of Ideas (3 credits from CHLA)
Minor in Philosophy
Students should consult the minor requirements that correspond to their year of admission at AUB
Students admitted before Fall 2019 wishing to minor in philosophy are required to take a total of 15 credits in philosophy, including two of the following three courses: PHIL 211, PHIL 212, PHIL 213, and PHIL 214
Students admitted since Fall 2019 (included) wishing to minor in philosophy are required to take a total of 15 credits in philosophy, including at least two of PHIL 211, PHIL 212, PHIL 213, PHIL 214, PHIL 225.
MINOR IN ETHICS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
The exponential growth of artificial intelligence (Al) has revolutionized various sectors like healthcare or social media, and increased productivity by automating tasks in industries. However, this fast progress also brings with it significant ethical dilemmas, particularly the potential for Al systems to perpetuate and even amplify existing biases, whether in decision-making, hiring practices, or law enforcement. The minor in Ethics of AI, housed in the department of Philosophy and offered jointly by the department of Philosophy and the department of Computer Science, provides students with the critical tools and frameworks necessary to navigate the complex ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence. By engaging with topics such as safety and security, privacy, transparency, accountability, and bias, students develop a deeper understanding of how AI technologies impact society. This minor encourages students to critically examine the broader consequences of AI systems, helping them explore issues like data privacy concerns, the risks of algorithmic bias, and the need for transparency in decision-making processes. It fosters an ethical mindset, empowering students to ask key questions about the fairness, accountability, and potential harm of AI applications, while also promoting responsible development and deployment of AI technologies in a way that safeguards human rights and societal well-being.
Students choosing to complete a minor in Ethics of Artificial Intelligence are required to take a total of 15 credits distributed among the following courses:
PHIL208A/CMPS 269 Ethics of AI
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PHIL 210 Ethics
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PHIL 221 Philosophy of Mind
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| PHIL228 Philosophy of Psychology
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CMPS 203 Programing for Everyone
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| CMPS 201 Introduction to Programming
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CMPS 260 AI for Everyone
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| CMPS 261 Machine Learning
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