The Philosophy Department at Georgetown University is a pluralistic department that contributes centrally to the University’s core commitments to “justice and the common good, our intellectual openness, and our international character.” We value and promote a variety of approaches to philosophical reflection, including traditional research in contemporary philosophical problems, the study of the history of philosophy, practically engaged and public-facing philosophy, all in both the Anglophone and international linguistic traditions. We have broad strengths in traditional fields of philosophical inquiry, including ethical theory and practical ethics (especially bioethics), social and political philosophy, philosophy of language, epistemology, and the Catholic philosophical tradition. We are currently building a focus in philosophical approaches to race, as well as philosophical traditions rooted in the thought of disadvantaged or marginalized racial groups.

News

Promotions & Tenure News

September 3rd, 2024

The Philosophy Department is excited to announce FIVE promotions this new academic year. This past year, Professors Sean Aas and Joel Michael Reynolds were promoted to associate professors with…

Upcoming Talks for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

August 22nd, 2023

The Department is excited to welcome a roster of exceptional philosophers as part of our Lecture Series this year. More details, including times, locations, and abstracts, will be released closer to…

Professor Mattingly Promoted to Professor

August 22nd, 2023

Professor James Mattingly has been promoted to the rank of (full) Professor, active this academic year. His most recent monograph, Information and Experimental Knowledge, explores “what it is…

Congratulations, Dr. Talhouk!

August 22nd, 2023

The Department wishes our most sincere congratulations to Omar Talhouk, who successfully defended his dissertation on August 10, 2023. His work is entitled: “The Functions of Metaphysics.” His…

Undergraduate Award Winners Announced

May 31st, 2023

The annual awards for undergraduate Philosophy majors were announced Friday, May 19, 2023, at the yearly graduation breakfast. Senior Alanna Cronk received the Ryan Medal, awarded to the senior…

Nanette Ryan Successfully Defends Dissertation

May 9th, 2023

The Philosophy Department offers our congratulations to Nanette Ryan, who successfully defended her dissertation, entitled “Self Respect and Childhood,” last fall. Congratulations, Dr.…

2023 Departmental Lecture Series Schedule

December 20th, 2022

We are pleased to announce the Spring 2023 schedule for our Departmental lecture series. We will be hosting talks from Professors James Klagge, Yitzhak Melamed, and Dee Payton. Abstracts will be…