Princeton University: Philosophy and Religion Department

Princeton’s Philosophy and Religion Department is one of the most intellectually rigorous and globally respected programs in the field. We work with students aiming for top humanities programs, and Princeton’s department is often at the top of their list—for good reason. Here’s what makes it so distinctive.

What Programs Does the Princeton University Philosophy Department Offer?

“Philosophy forces you to think in a way you’re generally unaccustomed to, and a way more suitable to problem solving and real life application”

– Reddit

The Princeton University Department of Philosophy offers strong undergraduate and graduate programs. Students study big questions about knowledge, ethics, logic, and reality. The department is known for its serious, analytic style and top professors.

Undergraduates can major in philosophy. They start with classes like Moral Philosophy or Logic, then move to topics like political philosophy. Students write one paper in junior year and a thesis in senior year. They can also:

• Get a certificate in values and public life
• Combine philosophy with math or cognitive science
• Join summer research or study abroad

Graduate students can earn a Ph.D. in philosophy. It takes 5-6 years and includes:

• Seminars in ancient philosophy, ethics, metaphysics, and more
• A general exam, dissertation proposal, and final thesis
• Teaching experience

Students often work with other departments like politics or religion. The department also hosts talks and reading groups.

Overview of Undergraduate Programs in Philosophy

Princeton’s undergraduate philosophy program helps students build strong thinking and writing skills while exploring big questions about life and reason. Students major in philosophy by choosing it as a concentration and can connect it with other fields like law or cognitive science. They start with beginner courses in:

• Ethics
• Logic
• Philosophy of science
• Ancient and modern philosophy

Later, they move to advanced topics like metaphysics, knowledge, political theory, and philosophy of mind or math. In junior year, students write a research paper with help from a professor. In senior year, they write a final thesis based on original research.

The program gives students freedom to choose many of their classes, but they must take:

• At least 8 philosophy courses
• A logic course (like PHI 201)
• One course in historical philosophy
• One in metaphysics or epistemology
• One in value theory (such as ethics or political philosophy)

The program mixes structure with flexibility, helping students go deep in areas they care about. Students can also pursue interdisciplinary tracks, such as:

Graduate Programs and Fields of Study

Princeton’s graduate program in philosophy offers a fully funded Ph.D. program, internationally recognized for its academic rigor and faculty mentorship. Key fields of study within the program include:

Graduate students are required to pass the general examination by the end of their fifth semester. This includes both written and oral components and ensures readiness to begin dissertation work. Students then submit a dissertation prospectus, outlining their research plan and methodology, before moving into full-time research and writing.

The department encourages students to collaborate across disciplines and often supports joint work with programs in:

• Politics
• Psychology and Cognitive Science
• Classics
• Religion
• Economics and Public Policy

Specialized Courses in Political Philosophy

Undergraduate courses include:

• PHI 306: Political Philosophy–Focuses on thinkers like Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Rawls.
• PHI 318: Nietzsche–Looks at morality and power, with links to political ideas.
• PHI 385: Topics in Ethics and Politics–Covers topics like immigration, justice, and civil disobedience.
• PHI 307: Systematic Ethics–Studies moral theories and political duties.

Graduate seminars go deeper. Topics change each year, such as:

• Theories of justice
• Democracy and reason
• Freedom and the state
• Race, gender, and inequality

Who Are the Faculty Members in the Philosophy and Religion Department?

Key professors in Philosophy:

• Kwame Anthony Appiah
• Gideon Rosen
• Elizabeth Harman
• Michael Smith
• Sarah-Jane Leslie.
• Alexander Nehamas
• Thomas Kelly
• Delia Graff Fara

In Religion:

• Eric Gregory
• Jeffrey Stout
• Leora Batnitzky

What Are the Admission Requirements for Graduate Students?

Admission to Princeton’s Ph.D. program in philosophy is highly competitive. Applicants must submit:

• A strong academic record in philosophy or a related field
• A writing sample (10-20 pages of philosophical argument)
• Three letters of recommendation
• GRE scores are optional but accepted
• A well-written statement of purpose

The admissions committee looks for applicants who are prepared for high-level research and who have clear intellectual goals. Deadlines typically fall in early December, and Princeton does not charge an application fee for students who request a waiver based on financial need.

How Does the Philosophy Department Foster Student Discussions?

“I am an undergrad running a book reading group for my philosophy department this summer. I want to look at it through both a political philosophy and ethical view and be approachable by incoming freshmen”

– Reddit

Princeton’s Philosophy Department encourages discussion through small seminars and public talks. Classes usually have 12-15 students, giving everyone a chance to speak, debate, and learn from each other. Students often lead sessions and respond to each other’s work. Outside class, there are student-run reading groups on topics like feminist theory or Kant. Faculty sometimes join as equals, not as lecturers. This makes conversations more open and relaxed.

The department also hosts weekly talks by visiting philosophers. Students attend these colloquia and ask questions after. It’s a great way to explore new ideas and connect with experts. Undergrads can join the Princeton Philosophy Forum, which hosts discussions on ethics, politics, and current topics like AI. Students help plan events and invite speakers. There are also writing workshops for major projects like junior papers or senior theses. Students share drafts and get feedback from peers and grad students.

Regular Discussion Groups and Reading Sessions

Reading groups meet once or twice a week and focus on one philosopher or theme, like Rawls, Kant, or feminist theory. Students pick the texts and lead the sessions. Both undergrads and grad students join, and professors sometimes stop by to listen or join the talk.

Recent topics include:

• Metaethics and normativity
• Philosophy of language
• Nietzsche and political theory

There are also workshops where students share drafts of papers or thesis chapters and get feedback. These sessions help improve arguments and writing.

Another way students discuss ideas is through the Philosophy Colloquium Series. Experts from other universities give talks, and students often start follow-up discussions or reading groups afterward.

Ethics and Political Philosophy Discussions

Courses like PHI 306 (Political Philosophy) and PHI 360 (Ethics) help students explore ideas from famous thinkers like Plato and Rawls, as well as modern voices like Elizabeth Anderson and Charles Mills. Students debate and learn to express and defend their views clearly. Outside class, Princeton holds talks and workshops with guest speakers from around the world. Topics include:

• Immigration and global justice
• Climate ethics
• Identity and nationalism
• Democracy and public reason
• Economic fairness and reparations

The University Center for Human Values (UCHV) supports much of this work. It runs events, reading groups, and a special program called Values and Public Life, where students apply ethics to real problems in law, politics, or society.

Student-Led Initiatives and Events

One of the most active student organizations is the Princeton Philosophy Society, an undergraduate-run group that hosts weekly discussions, guest lectures, film screenings, and informal debates. Topics range from classic philosophical problems—like free will or moral realism—to applied issues such as data ethics, AI governance, or climate justice. Meetings are open to all majors and often draw students from other disciplines who want to engage with philosophy in a low-pressure, conversational environment.

In addition to regular meetings, the society organizes larger events throughout the year:

• Undergraduate Philosophy Conference
• Philosophy Movie Nights
• Debate Nights

Graduate students also take the lead in coordinating workshops and reading groups that welcome undergraduate participation. Some of these include:

What Resources Are Available for Students in the Philosophy and Religion Department?

Students at Princeton can use many helpful resources for studying philosophy and religion:

• The University Center for Human Values
• The Firestone Library
• Teachers
• Programs like Medieval Studies or Cognitive Science

Outside of class, students go to discussion groups and events with guest speakers. There are clubs for watching films and talking about big ideas together

Alyssa Mendoza, AP Coordinator and College Prep Specialist

Sources: Princeton University, Reddit