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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Rapoport Service Scholarship

University of Texas, Austin, College of Liberal Arts

Up to $30,000 February 01, 2025 See Details

Description

The Rapoport Service Scholarship is available to freshmen enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. You must have a desire to perform community service, agree to perform at least 200 hours of community service each summer, and take coursework that provides an intellectual foundation for your experience in...

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Rapoport Service Scholarship

University of Texas, Austin, College of Liberal Arts

award

Up to $30,000

deadline

February 01, 2025
See Details

Description

The Rapoport Service Scholarship is available to freshmen enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. You must have a desire to perform community service, agree to perform at least 200 hours of community service each summer, and take coursework that provides an intellectual foundation for your experience in...

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Jefferson Scholars Graduate Fellowship

Jefferson Scholars Foundation

$30,000 February 01, 2025 See Details

Description

The Jefferson Scholars Graduate Fellowship is available to graduate students at the University of Virginia. You must demonstrate academic merit, scholarship potential and eagerness to share important ideas with a broad audience to qualify for this award.

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Jefferson Scholars Graduate Fellowship

Jefferson Scholars Foundation

award

$30,000

deadline

February 01, 2025
See Details

Description

The Jefferson Scholars Graduate Fellowship is available to graduate students at the University of Virginia. You must demonstrate academic merit, scholarship potential and eagerness to share important ideas with a broad audience to qualify for this award.

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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, 2025 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, 2025
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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James R. East Scholarship

Indiana University - Indianapolis

$10,000 February 01, 2025 See Details

Description

The James R. East Scholarship is available to students entering the School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis. You must be a former member of the Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolis and have at least a C or higher high school grade average to be eligible for this award.

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James R. East Scholarship

Indiana University - Indianapolis

award

$10,000

deadline

February 01, 2025
See Details

Description

The James R. East Scholarship is available to students entering the School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis. You must be a former member of the Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolis and have at least a C or higher high school grade average to be eligible for this award.

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Einar and Eva Lund Haugen Memorial Scholarship

Norwegian-American Historical Society

$7,500 December 01, 2024 See Details

Description

The Einar and Eva Lund Haugen Memorial Scholarship is available to outstanding doctoral candidates who have completed pre - dissertation requirements within the preceding year. The dissertation shall treat a Scandinavian or Scandanavian - American topic. Based on evaluation of the applicant's academic record, three references, thesis proposal...

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Einar and Eva Lund Haugen Memorial Scholarship

Norwegian-American Historical Society

award

$7,500

deadline

December 01, 2024
See Details

Description

The Einar and Eva Lund Haugen Memorial Scholarship is available to outstanding doctoral candidates who have completed pre - dissertation requirements within the preceding year. The dissertation shall treat a Scandinavian or Scandanavian - American topic. Based on evaluation of the applicant's academic record, three references, thesis proposal...

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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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Humanities Scholars Program - University of Maryland, Baltimore County

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Up to $22,000 January 15, 2025 See Details

Description

The Humanities Scholars Program is open to incoming freshmen at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. You must major in: Africana or American studies, English, history, modern languages, linguistics, philosophy or any interdisciplinary humanities program to be eligible for this award.

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Humanities Scholars Program - University of Maryland, Baltimore County

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

award

Up to $22,000

deadline

January 15, 2025
See Details

Description

The Humanities Scholars Program is open to incoming freshmen at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. You must major in: Africana or American studies, English, history, modern languages, linguistics, philosophy or any interdisciplinary humanities program to be eligible for this award.

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