About the Philosophy Department
The Philosophy Department at UMass Lowell is distinguished by its commitment to applied philosophy, where we bring traditional inquiry into conversation with contemporary social and scientific issues.
Areas of Research Strength
Among our primary strengths is the intersection of:
- Ethics and technology, where faculty and students investigate the moral dimensions of data privacy, artificial intelligence, and digital life.
- Social and political philosophy, examining the foundations of democracy, human rights and global justice in an interconnected world.
- Science and mind, exploring how we understand the physical universe, our own consciousness and the intersection of biology and politics.
- Environmental philosophy and sustainability, addressing the ethical responsibilities we hold toward the planet and future generations.
By focusing on these critical areas, we ensure that our curriculum remains relevant and impactful, providing you with the specialized knowledge needed to contribute meaningfully to the most pressing debates of the 21st century.
UMass Lowell’s Philosophy Department’s expertise extends across a wide variety of areas, including:
- Feminist philosophy
- American pragmatism
- Ethics
- Philosophy of religion
- Public philosophy
- Philosophy of race
- Philosophy of law
- Philosophy of science, technology and artificial intelligence
Philosophy Faculty
Our faculty publish scholarly books and papers and teach undergraduate coursework across these areas with an eye toward philosophy’s public impact and the importance of writing, rhetorical and critical thinking skills required for informed civil engagement.
Among the courses we offer are pop culture, sex and love, environmental philosophy, eastern religions, race and gender, philosophy of sports, science and religion, topics in bioethics and much more.
