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.

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Scholarships for Philosophy Majors

Bullet name award deadline Link
 

Beinecke Scholarship - Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College

$34,000 Varies See Details

Description

The 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,...

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Beinecke Scholarship - Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College

award

$34,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The 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,...

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Nancy Shaw McKee Scholarship

Clarion University of Pennsylvania, College of Arts and Sciences

Up to $22,030 Varies See Details

Description

The 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...

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Nancy Shaw McKee Scholarship

Clarion University of Pennsylvania, College of Arts and Sciences

award

Up to $22,030

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The 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...

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McAllaster Honors Scholarship - Greenville University

Greenville University

$20,500 Varies See Details

Description

The 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...

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McAllaster Honors Scholarship - Greenville University

Greenville University

award

$20,500

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The 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...

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Sturgis Fellowship

University of Arkansas

$20,000 February 01, 2026 See Details

Description

The 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...

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Sturgis Fellowship

University of Arkansas

award

$20,000

deadline

February 01, 2026
See Details

Description

The 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...

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Willard J. Houghton Ministerial Scholarship - Houghton College

Houghton College

$5,000 Varies See Details

Description

The 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...

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Willard J. Houghton Ministerial Scholarship - Houghton College

Houghton College

award

$5,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The 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...

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Emil A. Erickson Memorial Scholarship

Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range Virginia

$3,500 Varies See Details

Description

The 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.

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Emil A. Erickson Memorial Scholarship

Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range Virginia

award

$3,500

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The 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.

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Paez-Garcia-Schow Endowed Scholarship

Westminster College, Utah

$2,950 Varies See Details

Description

The 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.

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Paez-Garcia-Schow Endowed Scholarship

Westminster College, Utah

award

$2,950

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The 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.

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Thomas W. Satre Endowed Scholarship

Sam Houston State University - College of Humanities and Social Sciences

$1,500 August 20, 2025 See Details

Description

The 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.

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Thomas W. Satre Endowed Scholarship

Sam Houston State University - College of Humanities and Social Sciences

award

$1,500

deadline

August 20, 2025
See Details

Description

The 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.

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Western Studies Elmer Keith Scholarship

Boise State University - College of Arts and Science

$1,000 Varies See Details

Description

The 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.

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Western Studies Elmer Keith Scholarship

Boise State University - College of Arts and Science

award

$1,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The 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.

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McCarthy Humanities Endowment

Tacoma Community College

$1,000 Varies See Details

Description

The 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.

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McCarthy Humanities Endowment

Tacoma Community College

award

$1,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The 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.

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