Philosophy

The Philosophy Department hosts a wide range of events catering to a diversity of interests and backgrounds. At the Department Speaker Series, visiting philosophers give talks on their recent research.

Anyone interested in philosophical ideas, whether timely or timeless, is invited to the Guelph Lecture in Philosophy. Each year an accomplished philosopher presents original, provocative ideas in an accessible way.

Components of an application (deadline: January 10, 2025)

A complete application consists of the following documents (please see detailed explanations below):

Purpose and Function of the Association:

• To represent Philosophy graduate students in matters pertinent to their welfare.
• To try to effect cohesion and interaction amongst graduate students in the program.
• To raise money for the PGSA.

This is a portal page for our graduate students.
 

Graduate Forms

Department Conference Travel Grant Application form

MA Orientation & Information

PhD Orientation & Information

The Department of Philosophy is home to 16 faculty with a broad range of research areas and a thriving community of 44 graduate students ( 13 students in our Master’s program and 31 students in our Doctoral program). Our expertise spans history of philosophy, ethics, social and political philosophy, continental philosophy, feminist philosophy, epistemology, philosophy of mind, metaphysics, and philosophy of science. For more information on what we do here at Guelph, please see our Areas of Research page.

The best reason to study philosophy is that you love reading, writing and talking about philosophy! But let's elaborate a bit on what skills and knowledge you get out of this, and what value a philosophical education has in your career after University.

Philosophy has never been more important.

At a time when people are challenged to discern the real from the fake, the true from the false, where bias and prejudice make their way into popular discourse, philosophy provides you with the essential capacities for critical thinking, clear verbal and written communication, and problem-solving.

Philosophy teaches you to bring a critical viewpoint to what you read and hear, to consider things from various perspectives, to scrutinize your beliefs and your assumptions, and to formulate clear arguments.