Why study philosophy?
Philosophy comes from the Greek words philein (love) and sophia (wisdom), referring to a fraternal love shared by those bounded by the same pursuit of attaining wisdom. This should not mean that the emphasis is solely on the end since, and more importantly, the process of wisdom's disclosure is made possible by critical thinking, objections, and discourses.
Philosophy is a dialogical activity--struggling with a concept, struggling with another person's view to know wisdom's whole.
In a world where dissent is silenced and critical views are shunned aside, Philosophy perseveres in its noble task of forming minds and hearts.
Choose Philosophy. Choose UST.
Proceed below for the undergraduate degree
while discover the MA Philosophy and PhD Philosophy degrees offered at the UST Graduate School
Bachelor of Arts, major in Philosophy
Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts and Letters
Why an AB Philosophy at UST?
As a discipline that seeks the truth and is a guide for life, the program aims to analyze the different aspects of reality, to see their intentions, and to combine them into a systematic whole. The study of Philosophy involves not only the objects under investigation, but also the subject who investigates not only the thought, but also the thinker. More importantly, the study teaches the students to think analytically and critically to enable them to provide deeper insights into the nature of being human, of things, and of values to live by.
Informed by the Vision and Mission of the UST Department of Philosophy and the Faculty of Arts and Letters, the A.B. in Philosophy curriculum is one of the most comprehensive in the country; as such, the Program Intended Learning Outcomes projects a Thomasian Philosophy graduatewho:
Demonstrates critical thinking and ethical consciousness. The teaching of “General Education Courses” will introduce philosophy students to the basic philosophical branches and sub-branches, to develop their critical reasoning skills, and make them cognizant of socio-politico-ethical issues relevant to human beings and society.
Evaluates and articulates various philosophical positions and theories. The teaching of “Professional Courses” to philosophy students will familiarize them with philosophical issues, from the most rudimentary to the most complex, gleaned from the various traditions in the global history of philosophy (East and West). Through this, students will be firmly grounded in the various complex philosophical debates which, in turn, become the foundation of comparison, criticism, and defense of these philosophical theories.
Contributes to the development of philosophical discourse. It is the ultimate aim of the AB in Philosophy program to instill the value of philosophical research among the students. With a comprehensive mastery of various philosophical theories, students are guided by mentors to explore and foster key areas of strength of the Department (Filipino Philosophy, Oriental Thought and East-West Comparative Philosophy, Aristotelian-Thomistic Philosophy and Scholasticism, Continental European Philosophy, and Anglo-American Philosophy). Philosophy students are exposed to more complex philosophical issues and new philosophical trends via “Seminar Courses.” Moreover, as a final requirement of the program, students contribute to the exploration and fostering of these key areas of strength by conducting and submitting their own research through “Research Courses.” This training will then prepare the students for graduate studies in philosophy.
Applies critical competencies in other professional areas and industries. In addition to intensive training in key areas of strength of the Department and in philosophical research, it is an important aim of the AB in Philosophy program to prepare its students for other professions, such as religious, legal, and government, inter alia.
Careers after AB Philosophy
Taking Philosophy as a Bachelor's degree opens a wide future for each graduate. Philosophy is a sought-after discipline as it provides a good foundation for various career opportunities. Numerous alumni have flourished in their respective fields such as:
Academe (teaching and research)Legal/Paralegal professionCivil serviceCorporate positionsJournalismPublishingHuman resource managementArts and culture
Get involved!
The undergraduate Philosophy community is lively with a University-recognized organization, Concilium Philosophiae, that spearheads events and caters to the various needs of each member be it academically or through community extension.
The Concilium Philosophiae is the organization of the Philosophy majors of the Faculty of Arts and Letters of the University of Santo Tomas. It is officially the Concilium Philosophiae Sancti Thomae Aquinatis Manilensis (The Philosophy Council of St. Thomas Aquinas of Manila) and may also be referred to as “The Philosophy Council” or “The Concilium.” In the university, the Concilium is officially recognized by the Office of Student Affairs and is a part of the Student Organizations Coordinating Council (SOCC). As a college-based organization, it is an active member of the Board of Majors of the Faculty of Arts and Letters. It is also a founding member of the Council of Filipino Philosophers (COFPHI), the only association of undergraduate philosophy students representing the universities/colleges in the country. Concilium Philosophiae also enjoys the recognition of national philosophical organizations, namely the Philosophy Circle of the Philippines (PCP), and the Philippine Academy of Philosophical Research, and the Philosophical Association of the Philippines (PAP).
The undergraduate community hosts a philosophy journal, TALISIK, that aims to bridge research thrusts from faculty members to the youngest members of the UST Philosophy community.
TALISIK is a Filipino word. It is a contraction of “Talas” [Keenness] and “Saliksik” [Search]. TALISIK then means “Katalasan ng isip na umunawa ng anuman” [Keenness of the mind to understand anything] and “Malaliman at matalinong pagdalumat sa kahulugan ng anuman” [In-depth and intelligent search for the meaning of anything]. Based from the definition of TALISIK, the journal's editorial board intends to demonstrate the acumen of undergraduate students of philosophy through their research undertakings. The journal is an undergraduate laboratory journal of Kritike, the Department's journal, that primarily caters to the works of the UST undergraduate students of philosophy, but also welcomes contributions from other fields and institutions.