Philosophy strongly emphasises both creative thinking and argumentative rigor. Our students learn to think critically and creatively, and to clearly articulate and impartially evaluate their own ideas and those of others. These are highly portable skills that are broadly applicable in business, in the laboratory, and in the professions.

We offer classes in most of the major fields and historical periods of philosophy. In addition to its stand-alone value, our B.A. in Philosophy complements many other degrees as a second major. It is a particularly good choice for those interested in attending law school, but fits well with other degrees including psychology, political science, physics, computer science, and mathematics. At the graduate level, we offer distinct M.A. and Ph.D. programs.

PHILOSOPHY NEWS AND EVENTS

Spring 2025 Guest Speakers

on a pink background in a half circle across the top of the picture reads, "The Department of Philosophy Proudly Presents" with "Dr. Richard Moran, Harvard University" under that is another half circle of text curving up reading "The 2025 Kraemer Lecture" Beneath that is a set of text that reads "The Kraemer Lectures commemorate William S. Kraemer, who was chair of the Department of Philosophy from 1953-1976. The annual Kraemer lecture is a public lecture that presents cutting-edge research by a major philosopher to a wide audience; everyone is encouraged to attend." Beneath that to teh left is "Date: Thursday April 3rd, 2025 Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm" To the right it says "Location: Giffels Auditorium MAIN 201". under that in bold it reads "Self-Love: The Very Idea". Under that is an abstract from Dr. Moran over his lecture stating " It is often said, by philosophers and others, that our most fundamental motivation is egoistic, or as it is sometimes put, the ‘motive of self-love’. But it is in fact quite unclear whether such a claim is true, either about how we are or about what we have reason to do. In this talk I examine arguments against this assumption, bringing together Bishop Joseph Butler, John Rawls and Jean-Paul Sartre which enable us to see what is misleading in the very description ‘self-love’" at the very bottom of the page is a banner that says "For more information: email phildept@uark.edu or drop by our office at MAIN 318"      a lilac background with three boxes surrounded by yellow dots. Inside the top box, which is a darker purple, "The Department of Philosophy Presents" is written in white. Inside the second box above a set of happy and sad theatre masks states "Dr. David Shoemaker" in Bold, under that is, "Cornell university" with the talk title, "Finding Funny, Amusement, Anger, and the Wide-Ranging Power of Empathy" in italics. Inside the sad mask, which is a darker purple with light purple face says "Location: Giffels Auditorium, Old Main 201". Next to it, in the light purple happy mask with dark purple expression states "DATE: Friday March 7th, 2025 TIME: 3:30pm to 5:30pm". Inside the lowest box, also a darker purple, says "For more information: email phildept@uark.edu of drop by our office in MAIN 318."       Tan background with navy design on the top portion, inside design poster reads "Why do we die? Aristotle and Aquinas on death's cause. Dr. Christopher Frey, University of Tusla" in a separate darker tan box, it reads "Philosophy Department Speaker Series. Place: Giffels Auditorium MAIN 201, Time: 3:30pm to 5:30pm, Date: Friday January 31st." Underneath this is an abstract about the talk. In a black outlined box at the bottom of the poster reads "For more information, email phildept@uar.edu or drop by our office at MAIN 318." 

  

Fall 2024 Guest Speakers

Cream poster with black text stating: "The Department of Philosophy Presents. Kyla Ebels-Duggan. Northwestern University." Inside an olive box is the title "The Extremely Difficult Realization That Something Other Than One's Self Is Real" in the middle of the poster is an olive line with "All Students Welcome!" underneath. Inside a Olive outline it says "Giffels Auditorium (MAIN 201) Friday, Sept. 13th, 2024 3:00 - 5:00pm". At the bottom of the poster is an olive tag with black text that says "For more information contact phildept@uark.edu or drop by MAIN318"            A light blue background with navy accents that says "The Department of Philosophy Presents, A Lynne and James Spellman Lecture in the History of Philosophy, Professor Barbara Herman From UCLA "Why Kant's Kingdom of Ends Needs a Doctrine of Means" Underneath in a Navy outlined box reads "GRAD 163 (Grad Auditorium) Friday, November 8th, 2024 3:00 - 5:00 pm" Inside the Navy accents is a abstract about the talk. At the bottom of the poster it reads "for more information contact phildept@uark.edu or drop by MAIN 318."

 

Spring 2024 Guest Speakers

A blue and red poster that says "The Philosophy Department Presents." "Why Political Polarization Will Get Worse If People Are Reasonable." "Friday, April 5th, 2024. 3:30 - 5:30pm." "Giffels Auditorium. MAIN 201" In the middle of the page is an abstract about the talk." "Dr. Thomas Kelly. Princeton University." At the very bottom of the page it says "Learn more: email phildept@uark.edu or visit us: MAIN 318."

 

Spring 2023 Guest Speakers

wedgwood
CraverFlyer
Clardy

 

Spring 2023 Graduate Student Conference

Grad Conference
 
 

 

Fall 2023 Guest Speakers

Bob Fischer talk
Della Rocca Talk
ManonGarcia