Philosophy

A philosopher is a lover of wisdom. If you find yourself awestruck by the world—by its beauty and brutality—and curious to grasp your place in it, you are fueled by the love that seeks wisdom. Philosophy opens the door to wonder about yourself, the world and God. To open this door is to take a step toward examining your commitments as a human being and a person of faith, opening yourself to the possibility of transforming your mind and life. 

As a philosophy major at Gordon College, you’ll experience how wondering about fundamental things is a central part of faith. You’ll pair that wondering with academic investigation and discussion. By the time you graduate, you’ll have cultivated an intellectually rigorous mindset and learned to effectively express your understanding so you can help others seek wisdom. 

Hone your studies with one of five concentrations: 

• Justice, Peace and Conflict: Explore how to engage in conflict resolution through careful and critical reflection, ensuring justice for all.
• Languages and Linguistics: Combine the study of foundational logic and the history of philosophy with key issues and theories in linguistic theory.
• Philosophy and Religion: Connect the higher thinking of philosophy to the grounding foundations of faith to explore life’s hardest questions.
• Political Theory: Deepen your understanding of fundamental issues in political philosophy, from its earliest thinkers to contemporary theories.
• Pre-Law: Study the philosophy of law, constitutional law, formal logic and economics, equipping you with skills for success in law school and beyond.    

Why study philosophy at Gordon? 

Our faculty will provide you with wide-ranging exposure to the major philosophy movements in history and thinkers like Socrates, St. Augustine and Kierkegaard. You’ll improve your ability to think and write clearly, uncover hidden assumptions, explain complexity, make connections and construct strong arguments—skills essential for any vocation.  

What can Christians bring to the field of philosophy?  

We serve the God of wisdom, and Christians are called to ponder and explore the world he created. As Christians we understand that God has called us to seek wisdom and not shy away from questioning. Christian philosophers dedicated to exploring life’s tough questions can engage others and lead them to a better understanding of God and the world.