Philosophy Department
The Department of Philosophy engages students with fundamental questions of existence, knowledge, and value, to encourage students to examine critically a variety of beliefs, attitudes, and social structures, and to foster creative thoughtfulness and self-reflection.
Studying philosophy teaches students to read and write critically, to analyze concepts and problems carefully, and to express solutions and arguments clearly and forcefully. Thus, studying philosophy prepares students for many different career paths: business, law, medicine, teaching, and post-graduate research in the humanities and sciences.
Philosophy majors are admitted to law school and medical school at a higher rate than any other major. Philosophy majors also outperform most other majors on the LSAT, GMAT and GRE. Their mid-career salaries are the highest in the humanities, and even higher than those of accounting, business management, and marketing majors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Department Info
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Washington Hall
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, Virginia 24450
Dominique Lamb ’08 to Deliver Lecture on Housing Equity
The Nov. 13 lecture on W&L’s campus is free and open to the public.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Will Dudley
The Washington and Lee University president discusses his role as an educator and the ways in which a liberal arts experience crafts an interesting mind.
Eight W&L Students Awarded Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad
This round of recipients marks a record-setting Gilman Scholar cohort for W&L.
A SHECP internship solidified Smith’s career path to become an advocate for those in need.
W&L Student Team Named Runner-Up at VFIC Applied Ethics Bowl
Five students from Washington and Lee University participated in the annual statewide competition in February.
W&L Ethics Bowl Team Qualifies for National Competition
The team secured its place with a third-place finish at the APPE Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl regional competition in Chicago.
This neuroscience major takes advantage of W&L’s beautiful natural surroundings, including walking the back campus trails.
Lawyer and Historian Paul Lombardo to Deliver Lecture on Buck v. Priddy Court Case
The Nov. 18 lecture is open to the public and marks the centenary of the case argued in Amherst County, Virginia.
Bernstein discovered a passion for coding at W&L and has sought out every opportunity to get involved with technology on campus.
Chris Gavaler and Nathaniel Goldberg Publish Paper in the Canadian Journal of Philosophy
The professors co-authored an article that investigates the different ways comics are ordered.
Professors Chris Gavaler and Nat Goldberg to Discuss Their New Book, ‘Revising Reality’
The discussion will be held Wednesday, Oct. 2 in the Harte Center Gallery.
W&L Alumni Receive Omicron Delta Kappa Scholarships
Three Washington and Lee University graduates received scholarships from the National Leadership Honor Society to support graduate and professional study.