"The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet." -  Aristotle 

St. Paul’s Cathedral Mission College, Kolkata, has a glorious history of more than a hundred and fifty years, beginning in 1865. The college received its affiliation from the University of Calcutta as early as 1865. Considering the importance of this subject and realizing the demands of the students, the University of Calcutta granted affiliation to the Philosophy honours course and the department of Philosophy was founded in 1917. 

Philosophy is an activity of critical inquiry and a comprehensive process of thought. It involves testing and evaluating positions, uncovering assumptions and examining philosophical systems. Philosophy, being a rational inquiry, sharpens our thinking, enriches our understanding and expands our intellectual horizons. The Department of Philosophy is a dynamic space for intellectual exploration, critical engagement, and transformative learning. Rooted in the pursuit of knowledge, our department encourages students to challenge ideas while cultivating their own philosophical perspectives. Our vision is to help students to enhance the power of independent and rational thinking so that they can apply their thought in daily life to develop themselves as good human beings. To be a leading our department, promoting critical inquiry, and social responsibility.

The syllabus of U.G. courses is framed by Calcutta University, and the topics that are mainly taught are: Indian Philosophy, Western Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind, Ethics, Philosophy of Indian and Western languages, Philosophy of Religion, Social and Political Philosophy, Western Logic, Peace studies, Man and Environment. Our Department aspires to Value-Education; the highest professional and academic standards in personal development and satisfaction offered to our students. We are committed to promoting excellence in teaching and research, teamwork based on respect, trust and integrity, and innovation to promote human values for all.

Our department is committed to providing such an enabling environment wherein young minds can gain good exposure to different areas of philosophy and can learn methods of philosophical inquiry. We also emphasize the necessity of systematic, critical, logical, ethical and rational inter-faith thinking and practices among students and teachers.