- For the love of it
- To develop reasoning, reading, and writing skills
- To grapple with ‘big picture’ issues
- Because philosophy majors are among the highest scorers on the LSAT, GRE, GMAT and MCAT
- As preparation for law school
- As preparation for life
- For one’s entire career (not only the start)

Philosophy
Students often select majors based on career prospects, but sometimes students simply fall in love with a particular discipline, like philosophy. They feel the excitement of comparing different visions of the good life, or debating how to make sense of beauty or considering how much science can explain about human behavior. So they choose philosophy, sometimes as a second major, for the love of it.
Many who do double major find intriguing connections between the two. Thus they develop culminating projects that incorporate philosophical insights related to their other major. One student wrote a senior thesis on democracy that counted toward international relations and philosophy; another’s thesis on the concept of moral responsibility will join neuroscience and philosophy. Sometimes students simply use philosophical insights and methods in other areas. One applied philosophical discussions of human rights in a thesis for international relations and Asian studies.
For those who have experienced the joys of philosophical reflection, none of this is surprising. As our Philosophy Mission proclaims, the Lake Forest College Philosophy Department seeks not only to develop the critical reasoning skills essential for most careers but to foster creativity so that students can develop their own insights and arguments. Philosophical reflection plays central role in the liberal arts—and thus in human life. But philosophy also has a subversive role, raising, as Socrates did long ago, essential questions that challenge complacency and encourage reflection on personal and community problems.
In our coursework, we emphasize the variety of philosophical visions. To be sure, the traditional Western theories remain a focus, but we also cover Asian approaches and Africana outlooks. Philosophy courses also relate to many other subjects on campus, from law to business to science to art. We explore a range of human challenges, from social justice to neuroscience. Further, the major is designed to allow flexibility, so that students can, in their undergraduate studies, make connections to other interests.
Though philosophy does much more than prepare students for careers, the skills and insights sharpened through philosophical training are invaluable in most professions. Find out about opportunities after graduation.
Who Studied Philosophy?
The list includes Stephen Colbert, Harrison Ford, Steve Martin, Susan Sontag, Elie Wiesel, Studs Terkel, and Phil Jackson.
News

September 27, 2023
Assistant Professor Paul Henne ’11 publishes peer-reviewed papers

September 18, 2023
Lake Forest takes top spot on U.S. News ‘Social Mobility’ ranking

September 07, 2023
Wall Street Journal, Forbes rank Lake Forest College one of top in nation
Related Programs
CONTACT US
Daw-Nay Evans
Associate Professor of Philosophy
Chair of Philosophy
Durand Art Institute 102
847-735-5185
daevans@lakeforest.edu
Karla Finley
Department Assistant
Durand Art Institute 207
847-735-5181
finley@lakeforest.edu