# Department of Philosophy

**Source**: https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-arts/philosophy
**Parent**: https://catalogue.uottawa.ca/en/graduate/master-arts-philosophy/

Philosophy is the most fundamental academic discipline, having given birth over two millennia to logic, ethics, politics, physics, psychology or computer science.

## Welcome

Welcome to the Department of Philosophy Web site. By browsing these pages, you will find information about our programs of study, our course offerings, and our departmental activities organized during the academic year, such as our lecture series and reading groups. \
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You will also find out about the areas of specialization of our [professorial team](https://uniweb.uottawa.ca/network/profile/units/40/members). The Department takes both analytical and continental philosophy seriously, and offers students a wide selection of courses to choose from. \
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I invite you to browse the site and find out more about our Department. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

[Contact the Department](https://www.uottawa.ca/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bfccdadccddacbded6cdda91cfd7d6d3d0ccd0cfd7d6da92cfd7d6d3d0ccd0cfd7c691ccdadccddacbdecdc6ffcad0cbcbdec8de91dcde)

317

Undergraduate students

59

Graduate students

17

Professors

## Programs

Philosophy has multiple branches; to name a few: ethics, political philosophy, logic, philosophy of language and of mind, epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of the natural and social sciences, aesthetics. What seems to unite them is their concern with questions not normally answerable by science or empirical investigation alone; hence their reliance on abstract thought, and emphasis on conceptual and logical clarity.

Our programs are structured around three main areas: Value Theory (Ethics and Political philosophy), Metaphysics and Epistemology, and the History of Philosophy. These areas aim to acquaint students with the most important philosophical inquiries and with the philosophers who have made the most noteworthy contributions. The programs introduce students to works from the major Western traditions as well as the Eastern traditions. Students may complete their programs entirely in English or in French, or may choose to follow courses in both languages.

[Ethics and Political Philosophy (undergraduate)](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-arts/philosophy/undergraduate-ethics-political-philosophy)

[Philosophy (undergraduate)](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-arts/philosophy/undergraduate-philosophy)

[Graduate: Philosophy (MA or PhD)](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-arts/philosophy/graduate-philosophy)

## Student life

### Student experience

Whether you’re a future student or are currently enrolled, we’ve got you covered. With scholarships and bursaries to student associations and faculty events, we want you to get the most out of your time at uOttawa. Enrich your experience by checking out the following resources.

- [Scholarships and bursaries in Philosophy](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-arts/student-life-services/finance-your-studies)
- [Philosophy students associations](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-arts/philosophy/students-associations)
- [Health and wellness](https://www.uottawa.ca/campus-life/health-wellness)
- [Graduate courses offered](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-arts/department-philosophy-graduate-courses) (current and previous)

### Philosophical life at uOttawa

Studying philosophy at uOttawa offers a great opportunity to be part of a vibrant philosophical environment. There are diverse philosophical activities within the Department.  As well, Ottawa and the capital region host a rich variety of philosophical activities: lectures, conferences, workshops and collaborations with other philosophy departments.

- [Books from our faculty](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-arts/philosophy/new-books)
- [Colloquium lecture series](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-arts/philosophy/colloquium-series)
- [Philosophy reading groups](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-arts/philosophy/reading-groups)
- [philOttawa](http://philottawa.blogspot.com/): Everything about Ottawa's philosophical life

## News

The Philosophy Department is proud to host the fifth conference of the Canadian Aristotle Society, October 24th and 25th, 2025, on uOttawa campus.
The event, which welcomes speakers from around the w…

Next event:
Eleonora Alfano (McGill University)
"L'Anatomie comparée des sexes de Louise Dupin (1706-1799): une féministe au siècle des Lumières"
16 January 2026, 2:30pm, DMS 8161

## Events

No event to display.

## Quick links

[Register for courses](https://uozone2.uottawa.ca/)

[Fields of interest](https://uniweb.uottawa.ca/members?unit=philosophy)

[Current student resources](https://www.uottawa.ca/current-students/)

[Find a professor](https://uniweb.uottawa.ca/network/profile/units/40/members)

## Contact us

### Department of Philosophy

Desmarais Building, Room 8101\
55 Laurier Ave. East\
Ottawa, ON  K1N 6N5\
[**Map**](http://maps.uottawa.ca/?building=DMS)

Tel.: 613-562-5711\
Fax: 613-562-5135\
[[email protected]](https://www.uottawa.ca/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0d7d65647e686e4d786279796c7a6c236e6c)

### Office hours

Monday to Friday\
From 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m.\
From 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. \
(June to August: closed at 3:30 p.m.)

### Academic assistants

**Undergraduate studies**\
Simard Hall, room 128\
613-562-5134 \
[[email protected]](https://www.uottawa.ca/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#47263533340732283333263026692426)

**Graduate studies**\
Simard Building, room 416. \
613 562-5800 ext. 5439\
[[email protected]](https://www.uottawa.ca/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#75140701061207141135003a01011402145b1614)