Philosophy is unique among academic disciplines in the scope of its subject matter and in the truly fundamental importance of the skills it teaches. Philosophy has always had as part of its subject matter the deepest questions we ask as human beings. These are questions such as, "What is the nature of knowledge?" and "Can there be a rational argument for the existence of God?" In addition to pursuing these traditional questions, philosophers seek to clarify and evaluate the deep assumptions underlying other, more specialized fields of study, including psychology, history, and political science, as well as the natural sciences.

For more than two thousand years it has been one of the central tasks of philosophy to identify the forms of correct, as well as incorrect, reasoning, to instill the former in its students, and to equip them to recognize and avoid the latter. Though students may refine their communication and reasoning skills while pursuing other disciplines, it is only in philosophy that these skills hold a central place in the teaching and learning process itself. Because the skills developed in the study of philosophy are applicable to any profession, students who want to specialize in another field often choose a minor in philosophy to complement their major.

History & Philosophy Department Office:

701 Pray Harrold, Eastern Michigan University,
Ypsilanti, MI 48197. // Phone 734.487.1018 // Fax 734.487-6835

Philosophy Program Chair:
The Chair is rotated. For information about the Program, please contact any of the Philosophy faculty listed below:

Professor Brian Bruya (734) 487-0065 // bbruya@emich.edu
Professor Margaret Crouch (734) 487-0069 // mcrouch@emich.edu
Professor Jill Dieterle (734) 487-3393 // jdieterle@emich.edu
Professor Michael Jones (734) 487-2232 // mjones@emich.edu
Professor Kate Mehuron (734) 487-3393 // kmehuron@emich.edu
Professor Michael Reed (734) 487-0068 // mreed@emich.edu