2007-08 Undergraduate Catalog
Majors
Philosophy addresses the most fundamental problems that arise in reflecting on the nature of the world and our place in it. Philosophers ask such questions as: What can we know? What are the most general features of reality? What is the relation between mind and body? How ought one to live? Philosophical examination of problems is primarily conceptual rather than empirical, in that philosophers work at developing conceptual accounts adequate to the phenomena they want to understand. The study of philosophy equips one to address difficult issues in a wide range of areas. It fosters critical thinking and sound reasoning, skills essential to effective thought and communication.
The philosophy major provides excellent preparation for professional schools in law, business, medicine, and journalism, and for careers in the private and public sector. For more information, refer to the Undergraduate and Career Handbooks on the department website.
The philosophy major requires a minimum of 33 hours of course work in philosophy. Of these,
Area requirements and courses:
The remaining required hours are fulfilled by electives. Full course descriptions are available on the department website prior to advanced registration for the semester in which the courses are to be offered.
* PHH 3100 and 3400; PHI 3650 and 3300
| Philosophy |
| College: Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Degree : Bachelor of Arts |
| Hours for Degree: 120 |
| Minor: Yes |
| Combined-Degree Program: No |
| Website: web.phil.ufl.edu/ |
Philosophy addresses the most fundamental problems that arise in reflecting on the nature of the world and our place in it. Philosophers ask such questions as: What can we know? What are the most general features of reality? What is the relation between mind and body? How ought one to live? Philosophical examination of problems is primarily conceptual rather than empirical, in that philosophers work at developing conceptual accounts adequate to the phenomena they want to understand. The study of philosophy equips one to address difficult issues in a wide range of areas. It fosters critical thinking and sound reasoning, skills essential to effective thought and communication.
The philosophy major provides excellent preparation for professional schools in law, business, medicine, and journalism, and for careers in the private and public sector. For more information, refer to the Undergraduate and Career Handbooks on the department website.
Courses
The philosophy major requires a minimum of 33 hours of course work in philosophy. Of these,
- 27 hours must be at the 3000 level or above, with at least six hours at the 4000 level, excluding PHI 4905 and PHI 4912.
- No more than 15 hours in transfer credit can count toward the degree and no more than three hours of individual work (PHI 4905 or PHI 3905) can count toward the required minimum.
- A 3000-level philosophy course or department permission is required to enroll in a 4000-level philosophy course.
Area requirements and courses:
| Area | Courses |
| Logic | PHI 3130 Symbolic Logic |
| Writing | PHI 3950 Philosophical Writing |
| History | PHH 3100 Ancient Greek Philosophy and PHH 3400 Modern Philosophy |
| Ethics | PHI 3650 Moral Philosophy |
| Epistemology | PHI 3300 Theory of Knowledge |
The remaining required hours are fulfilled by electives. Full course descriptions are available on the department website prior to advanced registration for the semester in which the courses are to be offered.
Critical Tracking and Semester Plan
Semester 1:
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
Semester 2:
- Complete 1 philosophy course
Semester 3:
- Maintain course work from semester 2
Semester 4:
- Complete 1 additional philosophy course with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking course work
Semester 5:
- Complete 1 additional philosophy course (1 of the 3 courses must be at the 3000 level) with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking course work
Suggested semester-by-semester plan
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| A 2000-level philosophy course (GE-H) | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 4-5 |
| Electives | 4-3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| PHI 3130 Symbolic Logic (GE-M) or PHI 3950 Philosophical Writing (GE-C) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 3-5 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Electives | 6-4 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| PHI 3130 Symbolic Logic (GE-M) or PHI 3950 Philosophical Writing (GE-C) | 3 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Elective (or foreign language, if 4-3-3 option) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| Required 3000-level philosophy course (GE-H) * | 3 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| Required 3000-level philosophy course (GE-H) * | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Science laboratory (GE-P or GE-B) | 1 |
| Electives | 9 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| Required 3000-level philosophy course (GE-H) * | 3 |
| Philosophy elective (3000 level or above) | 3 |
| Electives | 9 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| Required 3000-level philosophy course (GE-H) * | 3 |
| Philosophy elective (4000 level, excluding PHI 4905) | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 9 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| Philosophy elective (3000 level or above) | 3 |
| Philosophy elective (4000 level, excluding PHI 4905) | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 9 |
| Total | 15 |
* PHH 3100 and 3400; PHI 3650 and 3300