Philosophy is, as its etymology suggests, 'the love of wisdom', the search for answers to the great questions that have inspired wonder throughout millennia of human speculation. As such, studying philosophy serves to enrich our lives not only by leading us onto the path to finding those answers—since by nature we all desire to know them—but also by cultivating in us the habits of moral reasoning and virtuous practice, qualities indispensable for any member of society to contribute to the common good.
At the same time, the study of philosophy is an exceptional preparation for almost any professional career. The student of philosophy uniquely develops his or her intellectual abilities by receiving focused training in constructing and analyzing arguments, critically reading dense texts, and clearly expressing substantive ideas. As a result, the student of philosophy can be depended upon to approach reflectively any problem he or she encounters and to have the intellectual wherewithal to solve it. It is no wonder, then, that employers and graduate schools have more and more come to recognize the great value of a philosophical education.
So browse our website. Take a look at how philosophy majors excel on standardized tests such as the LSAT, the GRE, and the GMAT. The numbers will surprise you. Consider some famous and influential people who were students of philosophy. The names will surprise you. Peruse our course offerings; learn about our student organizations; get to know our faculty. You'll soon get a sense of why the growing excitement about the study of philosophy at Providence College is surprising a lot of people.