Department of PhilosophyPhilosophy has been taught at the University of Pennsylvania since 1755, when the Bachelor of Arts degree was first offered. The first teacher of philosophy was William Smith, Provost of the newly founded Academy of Philadelphia. At that time, logic, metaphysics, moral philosophy, and natural philosophy formed the core of the College curriculum.
Philosophy at Penn
Tribute to Hilary Putnam, C’48, HON’85
Jonathan D. Moreno is the David and Lyn Silfen University Professor at the University of Pennsylvania where he is one of sixteen Penn Integrates Knowledge professors. At Penn he is also Professor of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, of History and Sociology of Science, and of Philosophy.
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Prof. Errol Lord Awarded 2025 Sanders Prize in Epistemology
January 12, 2026
The Philosophy Department is pleased to join the Marc Sanders Foundation and Oxford Studies in Epistemology in congratulating Prof. Errol Lord as the winner of the Sanders Prize in Epistemology for his paper “Aestheticizing Epistemology.” This paper will be published in Oxford Studies in Epistemology. More details about the prize and Prof. Lord's paper can be found here.
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Department History
Philosophy has been taught continuously in the University of Pennsylvania and its predecessors since 1755, when the Bachelor of Arts degree was first offered. The first teacher of philosophy was William Smith, first Provost of the newly founded Academy of Philadelphia. The various branches of philosophy, which included logic, metaphysics, moral philosophy, and natural philosophy, formed the core of the College curriculum.