The Department of Philosophy gives students and faculty the space to explore fundamental questions. A foundation of key thinkers, from Plato to the present day, is coupled with a commitment to interdisciplinary thought and openness to cutting-edge modes of inquiry. Our faculty includes a wide range of experts in ancient philosophy, epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, philosophy of mind and the sciences of the mind (cognitive science, neuroscience, psychology), philosophy of religion, philosophy of science (of specific sciences like biology), and more. Plus, we regularly host experts from around the globe to share their ideas and insights through intimate and accessible colloquia, talks, and other events. Philosophy courses at Washington University provide opportunities to gain deeper knowledge of the history of philosophy, from the work of the ancient philosophers Plato and Aristotle through key thinkers such as Descartes and Kant to the present. Students can study the interface between philosophy and other disciplines (such as psychology, environmental studies, women's studies, law and political science), they also can examine the methods of inquiry and underlying conceptual frameworks of scientific work itself.