The pursuit of wisdom, truth, and knowledge.

The Department of Philosophy at New Mexico State University welcomes students interested in studying life’s most fundamental questions: What exists? How do I know? Does life have a purpose? What is right and wrong? How should we live? Do we have free will? What is justice?

Throughout history, people have sought answers to these questions. In fact, most of us already hold assumptions about these questions. Philosophy invites further reflection, encouraging students to engage in careful examination of these assumptions. Studying philosophy equips students with the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate and construct sound arguments, communicate ideas clearly, navigate ethical dilemmas, and reason effectively in everyday situations.

Philosophy provides students with the analytical and logical skills that are highly valued in law, medicine, public service, business, and education. Philosophy majors frequently score higher than all other humanities majors on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), and the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

New Mexico State University offers students the following opportunities: Philosophy Major; Philosophy Minor; Justice, Political Philosophy, and Law (JPPL) Major; JPPL Minor; and Ethics Minor.