Academic Programs

The liberal arts were developed during the middle ages and were based upon ancient forms of educational practice. They are composed of seven fields of study, grouped under two headings, the "trivium" (or verbal studies) and the "quadrivium" (or rational/mathematical studies).

The trivium is composed of these three areas of study: grammar, rhetoric, and dialectic. (Philosophy gives students a fine education in all three.)

The quadrivium is composed of these four: arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. While philosophy does not address these fields directly, it does serve the goals to which they aspire. Through the study of logic and other philosophy courses, one gains sharply-honed skills in deductive reasoning—just as one does in arithmetic and geometry. Like some music, many forms of philosophy work to bring harmony and balance to one's life. Like astronomy, many forms of philosophy are concerned with the nature and composition of the universe, with developing solid forms of science, and with—dare we say it—"higher" things.

Be liberally educated! Think well! Be a philosophy student!

The point of the liberal arts is to develop ways of thinking and living which are, literally, liberating. Philosophy makes it possible for you to think openly, to consider issues from many different angles, and to do so in a disciplined fashion. In contrast to liberal forms of thinking and living are what might be called "slavish" forms—forms of life and thought that are like those of a slave. Whether enslaved to a parent, to one's friends, to the commercials one sees on tv, to custom, or to some other commanding voice, the slavish think and act principally on the basis of coercion, bribery, ignorance, habit, and simple authority.

Liberal thinkers, by contrast, are free from ignorance and blind submission to others' beliefs. When they commit themselves to a set of beliefs, they do so as the result of careful, informed, deliberate, and uninhibited thought. They know when to believe, when to doubt, and when to withhold judgment. They are open, tolerant, curious, respectful, and understanding. While the liberal arts, contrary to common myth, offer a fine preparation for income-producing careers, they also serve a more important function, that of helping to develop free beings.

Be free! Be a philosophy student!

Contrary to what many believe, philosophy graduates are exceedingly successful at building rewarding careers after they leave university.

Get a great job! Be a philosophy student!

Philosophy students are exceedingly successful at gaining admission to medical school.

Indeed, the complexity and rapid change characteristic of medicine today make a strong background in ethics imperative.

See Transylvania's special page devoted to Philosophy as Preparation for Medical School.

Be a sophisticated physician! Be a care giver! Be a philosophy student!

Philosophy is simply unsurpassed as preparation for careers in the law.

Be an attorney! Be a judge! Be a legislator! Be a philosophy student!

Ok, so maybe we're exaggerating a bit—a bit! But, really, you will find in the Transylvania philosophy faculty professors of significant accomplishment who love philosophy and Transy. Because at Transylvania teaching is of paramount importance, the Transylvania philosophy faculty all make special efforts to ensure that each and every student may receive individual attention.

Enjoy great teaching and personal attention! Be a philosophy student!

"Philosophy" literally means the "love of wisdom," and the Greek word for wisdom is "Sophia." The Philosophical Society (now also known as "Sophia") is the oldest club at Transylvania University. Since the early 19th century, it has maintained a noble tradition of presenting speakers, publishing philosophical treatises, and sponsoring discussions, as well as promoting sociability and good fun among the philosophically inclined at Transylvania and in Lexington. Today the society organizes get-togethers at professors' homes, films, parties, outings to good restaurants and coffee houses, and, of course, philosophical discussions.

Members of the society also commonly obtain subscriptions to The Philosophers' Magazine. Their subscriptions are almost entirely subsidized by the coffers of the Transylvania philosophy program.

Have fun! Enjoy interesting company! Be a philosophy student!

Steve Martin was a philosophy major at California State University Long Beach. You may have noticed that he quotes a philosopher at least once in each of his films—a personal signature.

Pope John Paul II held a doctorate in philosophy from Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, and was a professor at the University of Lublin. He taught social ethics at Krakow Seminary and published articles on phenomenology.

Woody Allen was a philosophy major at New York University. Many of his films contain philosophical themes and references.

Need we say more? Be a philosophy student!

Well, here's more anyway: In July of 1999, Hewlett-Packard Co., the computer giant, announced the appointment of its new C.E.O., Carleton Fiorina. Interestingly enough, Ms. Fiorina's university education was not in business. The 1976 bachelor's degree she took from Stanford University was in (you guessed it) philosophy and medieval history. Prior to her appointment with HP, Fiorina held one of the chief posts with Lucent Technologies.

Another high achieving philosophy major is investor Carl Icahn. Icahn took a bachelor of arts in philosophy from Princeton University.

NBC Today show weather presenter, Willard Scott, took a bachelor's degree in philosophy from American University.

The proper question is not, "Why should one study philosophy?" Rather, it is, "How can one not study philosophy?"

Be excellent! Be a philosophy student!