Philosophy - Lewis & Clark
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Our beautiful campus is just minutes from downtown Portland. 

Our beautiful campus is just minutes from downtown Portland.

Our classes engage in the study and practice of philosophical inquiry. 
Our classes engage in the study and practice of philosophical inquiry.

Students love finding new places to study (or relax!) on our scenic campus. 
Students love finding new places to study (or relax!) on our scenic campus.

Academics
Philosophy
Philosophy
Studying philosophy will provide you with the necessary tools for thinking about the serious challenges facing us in the 21st century. You will earn a bachelor of arts degree while gaining expertise in writing, researching, critical analysis, and public speaking.
Majors
Art (Studio)
Art History
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biology
Chemistry
Classics
Computer Science
Computer Science and Mathematics
Data Science
Economics
Environmental Studies
French Studies
German Studies
Hispanic Studies
History
International Affairs
Mathematics
Music
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Religious Studies
Rhetoric and Media Studies
Sociology and Anthropology
Student-Designed Major
Theatre
World Languages
Minors
Art and Art History
Artificial Intelligence
Asian Studies
Chemistry
Chinese
Classics
Computer Science
Cybersecurity
Dance
Data Science
Earth System Science
Economics
Education
Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation
Environmental Studies
Ethnic Studies
French Studies
Gender Studies
German Studies
Health Studies
Hispanic Studies
History
Japanese
Latin American and Latino Studies
Law and Policy
Mathematics
Middle East and North African Studies
Music
Neuroscience
Philosophy
Physics
Political Economy
Political Science
Religious Studies
Rhetoric and Media Studies
Russian
Theatre
Why Choose a Degree in Philosophy?
Philosophy has been defined as the love of wisdom, the search for truth through reasoning, and a discipline that comprises aesthetics, epistemology, ethics, logic, and metaphysics. We believe such definitions have their purpose, but the only way to truly understand philosophy is to engage in the study and practice of philosophical inquiry. Through this work, you will build intensive research, informed critical analysis, and careful writing skills as preparation for a wide array of careers and fields, ranging from library science to social work, law to teaching.
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What You’ll Study
Our program offers a major and minor. As part of the curriculum, you’ll investigate many of the questions philosophers ask—What can I know? Who am I? What is justice? Does God exist? What is the nature of time?—and several others, as well. Our faculty cover the ideas of ancient philosophers, such as Plato and Aristotle; early modern philosophers, like Descartes, Conway, and Kant; 20th-century thinkers, such as Heidegger, Beauvoir, and Quine; and recent theorists, like Foucault, Kristeva, and Lewis. Topics include ancient Western philosophy, Indian philosophy, social and political philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and the philosophies of religion, science, race, mind, language, and law. Moreover, our emphasis on research and writing equips our students with skills appropriate to a wide range of pursuits. Many of our students earn course credit while on an
overseas program
Outside the classroom, our department hosts a vibrant
philosophy colloquium
featuring renowned philosophers from both here in the Northwest and across the country. We also joined with other philosophy departments in the Northwest to apply for and receive a Mellon grant to investigate the ways in which philosophy is integral to work on diversity and inclusion. This grant has enabled us to contribute to making the department, and Lewis & Clark as a whole, more diverse and inclusive.
Curriculum
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Favorite Class



Feminist Theory with Associate Professor Kim Brodkin



Feminist Theory introduced me to a wide range of literature in Feminist and Queer studies that I engage with in my other courses and in my life. There are pieces we read that I still think of new questions about to this day! This is a great class to take if you are interested in reading a wide range of contemporary and classic theory about gender and sexuality.




Grace Marchant BA ’25


Major: Philosophy

Minor: Gender Studies







Favorite Class



Poetry 1 with Jerry Harp



This class was through the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program and taught inside the Columbia River Correctional Institution. Half of the class were outside students, who commuted from the L&C campus, and the other half were inside students, who were incarcerated at the prison. I met some of the most creative people I’ve ever had the pleasure of being in a room with through the Inside-Out program. It was incredible to be part of a group dedicated to creating art in an environment built to be soulless.




Lola Ecker BA ’25


Major: English, Philosophy (double)







Favorite Class



Reality & Identity with Benjamin Westervelt



This class introduced me to some amazing literature and ideas that got me excited about being involved in academia and my college learning experience.




Sage E. Swegle BA ’27


Major: Philosophy

Minor: Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation




Complement Your Education With One of These Minors
The most popular minors for our philosophy majors are
Middle East and North African studies
religious studies
, and
rhetoric and media studies
What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark
Being a philosophy major, I have the opportunity to research and learn about important ideas that shape our society, and be able to put my ideas and arguments into them.
Sage E. Swegle BA ’27
Philosophy |  Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation | Conifer, Colorado
More about Sage
I find the philosophy major interesting because the courses span a wide selection of traditions and philosophers. The department also encourages students to explore topics that they are personally interested in.
Grace Marchant BA ’25
Philosophy | Gender Studies | Upland, California
More about Grace
English and philosophy are deeply intertwined.
It’s always fascinating to read authors and philosophers from the same area and time period, because they tend to express the same thoughts in different styles.
Lola Ecker BA ’25
English, Philosophy (double) | Boulder, Colorado
More about Lola
What Can You Do With a Degree in Philosophy?
Philosophy majors are one of the three highest scoring groups on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), second on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), and sixth on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Together with the relevant science courses, a BA in philosophy provides unique preparation for medical school. Public agencies and businesses seek individuals who possess the writing, critical thinking, public speaking, and analysis skills that are fostered by philosophy. Recent graduates have gone on to enjoy careers in social work, the ministry, management, library science, law, government, education, computer science, and communication. In addition, some of our recent graduates now hold faculty positions in higher education.
Dedicated Faculty
Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth.
Meet the Professors
Invest in Yourself
A private liberal arts education is often
more affordable than you think
. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate with their bachelor of arts degree in four years that if you don’t, we’ll
cover the extra semester of tuition.
Find Your People
Our students are active in the
Philosophy Club
and regularly attend colloquiums where visiting philosophers, philosophy faculty, and fellow students present papers and posit questions about the fundamental natures of society, life, and knowledge. These talks are always followed by lively discussion, giving you a great chance to engage with the ideas you’re exploring in class. There are also occasional movie nights, where we watch a film and then discuss its philosophical implications, and hikes through the nearby Tryon Creek State Park.
Philosophy Events
April 24
Where Should Moral Philosophy Begin? by Avram Hiller (Portland State University)
How should one live? Why be moral? These questions are commonly used as the points of departure for moral theorizing. Although they are of course deeply important, I argue that they misdirect moral theory. First, they focus primarily on agents—ones who act—rather than those who are acted upon. Second, they concern agents as individuals rather than collectives. I discuss how the individualistic agent-centered approach has had a distorting effect on moral theory, and propose an alternative methodology focusing on those affected by actions and institutions.
3:30-5:00PM PST
More News and Events →
Joel A. Martinez
Department Chair of Philosophy and Associate Professor of Philosophy
joel@lclark.edu
503-768-7735
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