Philosophy

A philosopher is a lover—a lover of wisdom—and wonder is where this love begins. If you find yourself awestruck by the world around you—by its beauty and brutality—curious to grasp the significance of your place in it, you are already moved by the love that seeks wisdom. Philosophy opens the door to wonder. Wonder about yourself, your world and God. To open this door is to take a step toward examining your own commitments as a human being and as a person of faith and to open yourself to the possibility of transforming your mind and with it your life. 

As a philosophy major at Gordon College, you’ll come to see how wondering about fundamental things is a central part of Christianity. You’ll also pair that wondering with academic investigation and discussion. By the time you graduate, you’ll have cultivated an intellectually rigorous mindset and learned to effectively express your desire to understand so you can help others seek wisdom, as well. 

Hone your studies with one of five concentrations: Justice, Peace and Conflict, Languages and Linguistics, Philosophy and Religion, Political Theory or Pre-Law. 

Why study philosophy at Gordon? 

Our faculty will provide you with wide-ranging exposure to the major philosophy movements in history and figures like Socrates, St. Augustine and Kierkegaard. As you study, you’ll improve your ability to think and write clearly, uncover hidden assumptions, explain complexity, make connections and construct strong arguments—skills essential for any vocation.  

What can Christians bring to philosophy?  

We serve the God of wisdom, and it’s the Christian’s calling to ponder and explore the world He created. As Christians, we understand that God has called us to seek wisdom and to not shy away from questioning. Christian philosophers who’ve dedicated their studies to exploring life’s tough questions can engage others and lead them to a better understanding of God and the world.