Kristen Taylor ’26
I decided to major in philosophy after I took my second philosophy class at Pomona, Philosophy of Gender, with Professor Ellie Anderson. This class made me realize that there are so many different modes of thinking which philosophy opens you up to. Philosophy pushes you to question your values, your morals, and why you hold the beliefs about the world that you do. It has been challenging but so rewarding to gain a deeper understanding of myself, the world, and the interconnected nature of how our experiences and identities shape our societies. Philosophy has helped me to grasp different methods of conceptualizing and understanding the world. The Pomona Philosophy Department is wonderful and I’ve enjoyed finding a community of curious students who are always willing to question their beliefs with me!
Andy Han ’23
I first visited Pomona as part of the Perspectives on Pomona (POP) program. We had the opportunity to sit in classes, and I chose Professor Tannenbaum’s Ethical Theory class. Although my high school had no philosophy classes, I was still fascinated by that ineffable allure that the discipline exerts on us: the guiding lights of wisdom moderated by the lampshades of rigorous thought and intellectual humility. That glimpse of college philosophy motivated me to choose Pomona and to choose this major. Little did I know that the next year, I’d return to that same class — this time, every Monday and Wednesday. Philosophy is for those who enjoy learning for its own sake; it’s for those who dragged their parents to the library, questioned authority, and asked that beautiful question “why”. Philosophy is for the curious, the careful, and most of all, those who want to discover (and challenge!) what it is to be human.
Jenna Lange ’23
I was initially planning to focus on the hard sciences because those majors work well with the pre-health requirements that I need. After taking two or three philosophy courses, though – and seeing how phenomenal the professors are – I just couldn't imagine doing without it. The careful, critical thinking about important questions, particularly of what it means to live a good life and of what is required of us ethically, is exactly what I want from my liberal-arts education. The study of philosophy is training me in the analysis of challenging texts, logical and analytical thinking, and the precision of language necessary for the clear communication of complex ideas.