The Department of Philosophy embraces a diverse range of approaches to some of the most fundamental questions of human life.  The department has an abiding interest in the interrelations of ethics, culture, and society.  Members of the department work primarily in value theory, the history of philosophy, contemporary analytic philosophy, African philosophy, and phenomenology.  Overlaps between Philosophy and Women's Studies, Pan-African Studies, Psychiatry & Medicine, the Humanities, and   Social & Political Theory are increasingly important to our faculty and students.

Philosophy Department

313 Bingham Humanities Building

University of Louisville

Louisville, KY  40292

phone:  (502)852-6811

   FAX:  (502)852-0459

What can you do with a degree in Philosophy?

Recent News

I am very sorry to have to report that our former colleague, Charles Breslin, died Friday, May 23, 2014.  All who knew Charles remember him fondly.    http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/louisville/obituary.aspx?n=charles-frederick-breslin&pid=171192413&fhid=4752

The Philosophy Department welcomed three new faculty members this semester... 

Dr. Lauren Freeman has published articles on the themes of recognition, autonomy, and selfhood. Her current research interests lie at the intersection of phenomenology, feminist philosophy, and bioethics.  Among other things, she is currently investigating certain epistemic injustices within the domain of pregnancy; developing a new model of physician-patient relationships, in which patients and physicians are, what she calls, epistemic peers. She is also trying to understand the temporality and phenomenology of trauma, and she is co-editing (with Professor Elpidorou) a special issue of Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences on the Phenomenology and Science of Emotion.  Professor Freeman is an obsessive runner (she's run three marathons), has a daily ashtunga yoga practice, and hopes to do an Ironman soon. When she's not running, doing yoga, or doing philosophy, she expends the rest of her energy trying to keep up with her wildly energetic toddler.

Dr. Andreas Elpidorou's research engages with a question that is perhaps as old as philosophy itself: "What is a mind?"  His approach combines three differing but ultimately complementing perspectives. From a metaphysical perspective, he considers the ontological status of the mind, its place in nature, and its relation to the body. From an experiential or phenomenological perspective, he investigates what first-person experience tells us about anticipation, frustration, and boredom. Finally, from an empirically informed or cognitive-scientific perspective, he takes up questions concerning the nature of explanation, the constitution and location of mental processes, and the relationship between philosophical theses and empirical findings. He is an avid soccer fan and a self-proclaimed coffee snob. He also enjoys listening to experimental and noise music. For more information, you can visit his website elpidorou.net. He can be reached at andreas.elpidorou@louisville.edu

Dr. Yujia Song is interested in ethics (normative and applied ethics in particular) and intersections between moral philosophy and psychology, epistemology, education, literature — the list keeps growing. Her personal interests/hobbies are writing, photography, zumba, and pancakes.

The University of Louisville Philosophy Department and Kentucky Epsilon chapter of Phi Sigma Tau present the Thirteenth Annual Steven Humphrey Student Philosophy Colloquium.  Friday, November 8, 2013, 9am-5pm.

Students from various universities will present papers from 9:00 am to 3:20 pm, with the keynote address ‘Reasoning with real People:  Lessons from Fiction’ by Prof. Eileen John of the University of Warwick to be presented at 3:45 pm.  (Flannery O'Connor's "The Barber" and Grace Paley's "The Loudest Voice" have been provided as suggested readings for interested students.)

For information on past year's events and general information about the Colloquium click here.  Take a look at our photo album for pictures of past colloquia. 

Additional Information about the department and undergraduate programs is available on the Blackboard site (Philosophy Students Advising & Info).

The Kentucky Epsilon Chapter of Phi Sigma Tau Philosophy honors society is active and inducting new members.