Penn is routinely ranked among the top philosophy programs in the history of philosophy. Faculty who work in the history of philosophy include Karen Detlefsen (early modern), Sukaina Hirji (ancient), Daniele Lorenzini (contemporary, especially Foucault and Fanon), and Sabina Vaccarino Bremner (Kant and German idealism).

The Department’s faculty members have diverse research interests, covering the history of value theory, metaphysics and epistemology, and natural philosophy (or science). Many of their research interests connect with those of their colleagues working in contemporary philosophy. Penn is therefore well-situated to connect contemporary philosophical problems with their history. Penn has notable strengths in the history of core topics in metaphysics and epistemology (Detlefsen), the history of natural philosophy (or science) (Detlefsen and Vaccarino Bremner), the history of educational theory through to the present (Detlefsen), and the history of women working in philosophy and science (Detlefsen). Penn also has strengths in ancient Greek ethical thought (Hirji) and the epistemology and ethics of Foucault and Fanon (Lorenzini).

These research interests are complemented by related research of faculty in associated departments.