Philosophy resembles mathematics, in its complexity; history, in its exploration of people and ideas across time; and literature, in its celebration of articulate expression.
Majors > Philosophy
Hear from professors and students about what makes JBU's philosophy program great.
The full-time and adjunct faculty at JBU have published extensive research in philosophy and maintain research projects in addition to teaching full-time.
Each year JBU students present papers at national academic conferences like The Southwest Conference of the American Academy of Religion.
JBU’s pre-law minor can be taken as a way to develop the verbal, written, and analytical skills necessary for law school while maintaining academic rigor in a liberal arts major.
JBU’s graduates are getting their graduate degrees from schools like Princeton, Duke, Denver Seminary, and Dallas Theological Seminary.
Associate Professor of PhilosophyDirector of Center for Faith and Flourishing
Dr. James (Jay) Bruce writes and lectures on philosophy, theology, politics, and economics—sometimes all at once. His first book, Rights in the Law, explores the relationship between God and morality in the thought of Francis Turretin (1623–1687). Dr. Bruce is currently writing a book on Christianity, justice, and equality. In 2014, he received JBU’s Faculty Excellence Award.
Dr. Bruce has presented papers at the American Philosophical Association, the American Academy of Religion, the Society of Christian Philosophers, the Evangelical Philosophical Society, and the Evangelical Theological Society, and he has commented on papers at both the American Philosophical Association and the Southwestern Philosophical Society.
In addition to his academic work, Dr. Bruce has written for Acton Commentary, Law and Liberty, The Gospel Coalition, WORLD magazine, and The Wall Street Journal​. Though he doesn’t own a television, he has succumbed to the lure of social media. You can follow him on Twitter @JamesEBruce. He blogs at JamesEBruce.com.
In 2010, he delivered the Logos Lecture at Dartmouth College; in 2011, the Balzer Lecture at JBU; since 2014, he has lectured each June at the Acton Institute’s Acton University. Unlike many of his regular lectures at JBU, Dr. Bruce actually wore proper dress shoes when he delivered these (so he says).
Dr. Bruce’s academic work has taken him throughout the United States and to Scotland, France, and China—greatly helped (or hindered) by his working fluency in English, his meager competency in French, and his almost total ignorance of Chinese.
Passionate about teaching, Dr. Bruce was awarded a Rookie of the Year award for the first year in which he was eligible (2009), and, for the academic year of 2010–2011, he was named the JBU Student Choice Awards Professor of the Year.
Dr. Bruce, his wife, and their four children live near downtown Siloam Springs. Ordained a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America in October 2018, Dr. Bruce and his family delight to be a part of Covenant Church (PCA) where he serves as an assistant pastor. He (sometimes) walks to work, hates television, and loves coffee.
"The opportunity to study theology at Duke Divinity School came largely at the hands of the men and women who taught me to think deeply and critically about my faith and helped me grow in the love and grace that sustains it. Upon completing my M.Div., I hope to enter a doctoral program in theology and teach at a Christian liberal arts university."
The ability to think and write clearly, to analyze and present arguments, is highly valued in the law profession. Philosophy majors have one of the highest rates of acceptance at law schools.
Medical schools look favorably upon candidates with a liberal arts degree, especially from philosophy departments.
If politics has captured your interest, a major in philosophy will give you a solid foundation for a variety of jobs in government.
A degree in philosophy gives you a broad foundation, the ability to think critically and make decisions, all benefits to leaders in the business world.
Apply Now
Schedule a Visit