Philosophy (BA)
Learn how to think critically, question assumptions, and explore big questions about knowledge, ethics, justice, and the world around you.
Why choose this program?
Philosophy helps you explore some of life’s biggest questions while building skills you can use in any career. You’ll learn how to analyze ideas, build strong arguments, solve complex problems, and look at issues from different points of view.
Explore questions about knowledge, truth, ethics, justice, identity, the mind, science, artificial intelligence, and what it means to live a good life. Then connect these ideas to issues that affect people and society today, from healthcare and technology to politics, law, the environment, and social justice.
Through discussion, research, and writing, you’ll learn to think carefully, communicate clearly, and make thoughtful decisions. These skills can prepare you for many different careers and further study, including law, medicine, education, public policy, business, journalism, and research.
Careers
Philosophy builds skills in critical thinking, communication, research, and problem-solving that you can use in many careers. You’ll learn how to evaluate information, understand different points of view, build strong arguments, and work through complex questions.
Philosophy graduates use these skills in fields such as law, government, business, healthcare, education, communications, journalism, and research. Your degree can also prepare you for further study in areas such as law, medicine, health professions, or graduate studies in Philosophy, ethics, political theory, and related fields.
What you will learn
Explore questions about knowledge, ethics, justice, identity, science, and human experience while developing skills in critical thinking, writing, research, and logical reasoning.
Sample courses
- Legal Thinking
- The Good Life
- Act Like You Know
- Ethics in Science
- Ethics in Health Care
- Justice in Global Perspective
- Social, Ethical and Professional Issues in Computer Science
- Philosophy of Sex and Love
- Philosophy of Law
- Epistemology
- Philosophy of Biology
- Ethical Theory
- Philosophy of Race
- Theory of Rational Decision
- Topics in Health Care Ethics
- Philosophy of Medicine
Philosophy is about more than reading and writing. You’ll learn through conversations, debates, research, and writing while working through challenging ideas with your classmates and professors. You can also connect with faculty research and attend philosophy talks and events.
Learn beyond the classroom
Dal Arts students can apply for the FASS Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Pilot Program, which offers a one-semester paid work term where you put what you learn in the classroom into practice, build career-ready skills and gain experience in the workplace.
Students can take also take their learning beyond the classroom through the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences’ experiential learning program.
Participate in internships, community-based projects, research opportunities and career-focused experiences that help you apply what you learn, explore your interests and prepare for your future.
Hear Philosophy in action
Attend public lectures from visiting philosophers and explore new ideas, questions, and perspectives beyond the classroom.
Customize your degree
Customize your degree through a major, double major, honours, combined honours, or minor.
Philosophy pairs well with many subjects, including Political Science, History, English, Psychology, Sociology, Biology, and Computer Science.
Major
Double Major
Honours
Combined Honours
Minor
- Minor in Philosophy
- Minor in Applied Ethics
- Minor in Bioethics
Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science
Ethics
Justice and Politics
Philosophy of Science
Logic and Reasoning
Philosophy of Law
Race and Gender
Health Care Ethics
Knowledge and Truth
Add Philosophy to another degree
Students in other disciplines can add a philosophical perspective to their studies through a Minor in Philosophy, Applied Ethics, or Bioethics. These options are open to students in all disciplines, except those already pursuing a Philosophy major or honours degree.
Admission requirements
Minimum admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this program, you must meet minimum academic criteria:
- Completion of secondary school (Grade 12)
- Achievement of the minimum average for your program of choice.
- Completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent course).
Admission to many Dalhousie programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Program-specific admission requirements
Minimum overall average: 70%
Academic English 12
Four additional academic subjects
