Philosophy
Philosophy (from Greek φιλοσοφία, philosophia, literally "love of wisdom") is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. The term was probably coined by Pythagoras (c. 570–495 BCE). Philosophical methods include questioning, critical discussion, rational argument, and systematic presentation. Classic philosophical questions include: Is it possible to know anything and to prove it? What is most real? Philosophers also pose more practical and concrete questions such as: Is there a best way to live? Is it better to be just or unjust (if one can get away with it)? Do humans have free will?
Historically, "philosophy" encompassed any body of knowledge. From the time of Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle to the 19th century, "natural philosophy" encompassed astronomy, medicine, and physics. For example, Newton's 1687 Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy later became classified as a book of physics. In the 19th century, the growth of modern research universities led academic philosophy and other disciplines to professionalize and specialize. In the modern era, some investigations that were traditionally part of philosophy became separate academic disciplines, including psychology, sociology, linguistics, and economics.
Other investigations closely related to art, science, politics, or other pursuits remained part of philosophy. For example, is beauty objective or subjective? Are there many scientific methods or just one? Is political utopia a hopeful dream or hopeless fantasy? Major sub-fields of academic philosophy include metaphysics ("concerned with the fundamental nature of reality and being"), epistemology (about the "nature and grounds of knowledge [and]...its limits and validity" ), ethics, aesthetics, political philosophy, logic and philosophy of science.
Since the 20th century, professional philosophers contribute to society primarily as academics. However, many of those who study philosophy in undergraduate or graduate programs contribute in the fields of law, journalism, politics, religion, science, business and various art and entertainment activities.
* Description and images provided by Wikipedia under CC-BY-SA 3.0 license .
Scholarships for Philosophy Majors
Beinecke Scholarship - Dartmouth CollegeDartmouth College |
|||||
award $34,000 |
deadline Varies |
||||
DescriptionThe Beinecke Scholarship is open to juniors at Dartmouth College who plan to enter a master's or doctoral program in the arts, humanities or social sciences. You must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Marian Islands and demonstrate financial need to qualify for this award. In addition,... View Scholarship Details |
|||||
Nancy Shaw McKee ScholarshipClarion University of Pennsylvania, College of Arts and Sciences |
|||||
award Up to $22,030 |
deadline Varies |
||||
DescriptionThe Nancy Shaw McKee Scholarship is available to majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences at Clarion University. Your selection for this award will be based on academic performance and financial need. In order to be considered for this award, you must first be nominated by a faculty member. Once nominated, you will need to submit a "Goals... View Scholarship Details |
|||||
McAllaster Honors Scholarship - Greenville UniversityGreenville University |
|||||
award $20,500 |
deadline Varies |
||||
DescriptionThe McAllaster Honors Scholarship is available to incoming freshmen and transfer students at Greenville University. You must have a minimum GPA of 3.3 to be eligible for this renewable award. Additionally, you must live on-campus. This scholarship program nurtures excellent students who are especially gifted to serve God and neighbor through... View Scholarship Details |
|||||
Sturgis FellowshipUniversity of Arkansas |
|||||
award $20,000 |
deadline February 01, 2026 |
||||
DescriptionThe Sturgis Fellowship is available to incoming freshmen who plan on majoring in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas. You must demonstrate exceptional academic performance to be considered for this renewable award. In addition, you must have a minimum 30 ACT/1320 SAT score and a minimum 3.8 GPA to be... View Scholarship Details |
|||||
Willard J. Houghton Ministerial Scholarship - Houghton CollegeHoughton College |
|||||
award $5,000 |
deadline Varies |
||||
DescriptionThe Willard J. Houghton Ministerial Scholarship is available to students at Houghton College who are preparing for the Wesleyan pastorate. You must select a major from those offered by the religion and philosophy department (or pursue an approved pre-seminary program) and also be listed with your district's Board of Ministerial Development to... View Scholarship Details |
|||||
Emil A. Erickson Memorial ScholarshipMinnesota North College - Mesabi Range Virginia |
|||||
award $3,500 |
deadline Varies |
||||
DescriptionThe Emil A. Erickson Memorial Scholarship is open to full-time students at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College, Virginia Campus. You must be majoring in history, philosophy and science-related fields and have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be eligible for this award. View Scholarship Details |
|||||
Paez-Garcia-Schow Endowed ScholarshipWestminster College, Utah |
|||||
award $2,950 |
deadline Varies |
||||
DescriptionThe Paez-Garcia-Schow Scholarship is open to full-time students at Westminster College in Utah of Hispanic and/or Norwegian descent. You must major in either accounting or nursing or you must plan to enter the public health field. View Scholarship Details |
|||||
Thomas W. Satre Endowed ScholarshipSam Houston State University - College of Humanities and Social Sciences |
|||||
award $1,500 |
deadline August 20, 2025 |
||||
DescriptionThe Thomas W. Satre Endowed Scholarship is available to students at Sam Houston State University. You must be majoring or minoring in philosophy or be enrolled in at least one philosophy course and be deemed worthy by the coordinator of the program to be eligible for this award. View Scholarship Details |
|||||
Western Studies Elmer Keith ScholarshipBoise State University - College of Arts and Science |
|||||
award $1,000 |
deadline Varies |
||||
DescriptionThe Western Studies Elmer Keith Scholarship is open to students at Boise State University. To be considered for the award, you must be majoring in one of the degrees of study offered by BSU's College of Arts and Sciences. The award also requires you to submit an essay detailing your knowledge of marksmanship and/or horsemanship. View Scholarship Details |
|||||
McCarthy Humanities EndowmentTacoma Community College |
|||||
award $1,000 |
deadline Varies |
||||
DescriptionThe McCarthy Humanities Endowment is available to students at Tacoma Community College. You must be enrolled in the Humanities program, and have completed at least 15 credits in English, history or another humanities subject. You must also be enrolled for at least 10 credits per quarter and have at least a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award. View Scholarship Details |