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Department of

Philosophy

Department of Philosophy

Philosophy at Acadia

Philosophy tackles the most fundamental questions anyone can ask, such as

How should I live? What can I know? Does God exist? What rights and duties do I have? What makes a society just?

Studying philosophy not only bestows insight into questions like these but also develops skills of analysis, argumentation and clear expression. Philosophical questions underlie the theory and practice of every academic field.

The "Academics" page of the Acadia website begins with these words:

At Acadia, we teach you to question. Our faculty members will challenge you to think critically. To debate and engage. And to enjoy intellectually challenging academic programs.

No department at Acadia surpasses—and few departments approach—the Philosophy Department in focusing on critical thinking and the pursuit of intellectual challenge for the intrinsic rewards it offers. Our award-winning teachers and rigorous program produce highly successful graduates.

Recent students in our program...

  • won the Faculty of Arts Kirkconnell Essay Prize ($3000) three out of the four years they competed

  • served as ASU Vice-President Academic three years in a row

  • won the prestigious Presidential Graduate Fellowship at MIT

  • gained admission to graduate school at Brown, Carleton, Cornell, Dalhousie, Harvard, Indiana, Memorial, MIT, Ottawa, Princeton, Purdue, Toronto, Western Ontario, and York

  • gained admission to law school at Dalhousie, Osgoode Hall, and Wales

  • gained admission to medical school at Memorial

  • gained admission to the school of education at Acadia

  • won external fellowships totaling $217,500