The Undergraduate Major in Philosophy & Economics

For a Major in Economics-Philosophy

Advisor for the Economics-Philosophy Major:

Professor Jessica Collins, 714 Philosophy Hall, [email protected].

Please read Regulations for Economics Majors, Concentrators, and Interdepartmental Majors in the Economics section of the Bulletin.

The Joint Major in Economics and Philosophy is an interdisciplinary one which, while introducing students to the basic methodologies of economics and philosophy, stresses areas of particular concern to both. These include subjects such as rationality and decision making, justice and well-being, freedom and collective choice, and the nature of empirical scientific theories.
There are two advisers for the Joint Major, one in the Department of Economics and one in the Department of Philosophy. Please note that the economics adviser can advise only the economics requirements and the philosophy adviser can advise only on the philosophy requirements.

Prospective majors are strongly advised to discuss the major early in their sophomore year. Each major is expected to meet with the departmental advisers in the middle of their junior year and at the beginning of their senior year.


Philosophy Requirements for the Joint Major:

1.    An Introductory course. Most often this will be PHIL UN1010 Methods and Problems of Philosophical Thought.

2.    PHIL UN3411 Symbolic Logic

3.    One 3000-level course in moral, political, or social philosophy. (PHIL UN3701 Ethics satisfies this requirement, as do various other courses offered by the Department from time to time. Consult with the Philosophy adviser if you are in any doubt here.)

4.    One 3000-level course in epistemology, the philosophy of science, or in the philosophy of one of the particular sciences. (PHIL UN3551 Philosophy of Science and PHIL UN3960 Epistemology both satisfy this requirement, as do various other courses offered by the Department from time to time. Consult with the Philosophy adviser if you are in any doubt here.)

5.    PHIL GU4561 Probability and Decision Theory.

6.    ECPH UN4950 Senior Seminar in Economics and Philosophy.