The Department of Philosophy traces its origins to the Department of Classical Studies at Myeongnyun Academy, founded in 1948.
On December 1, 1951, Myeongnyun Academy was merged with Iri Agricultural College and Gunsan College to establish the foundation of Jeonbuk National University. With this reorganization, the Department of Classical Studies was transformed into the Department of Philosophy as one of the six departments of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
In its early years, the department was led by founding faculty members including Prof. Doohun Kim (Ethics, the first President of Jeonbuk National University), Prof. Wonbae Jeon (Ethics and German Philosophy), and Prof. Youngsoo Kim (Eastern Philosophy). Since its establishment, the department has developed by engaging with both Eastern and Western philosophical traditions.
Notable faculty members over the years include Prof. Sangdeuk Kim (Ethics), Prof. Sanggi Han (Epistemology), Prof. Gapyeon Hwang (Chinese Philosophy), Prof. Hoonseung Baek (Modern Western Philosophy), Prof. Yohan Kim (Ancient Western Philosophy), Prof. Junho Park (Contemporary Metaphysics), Prof. Eunseok Yang (Logic), Prof. Seongsoo Jin (Chinese Philosophy), Prof. Ilho Park (Philosophy of Science), and Prof. Jiwoong Yoo (Korean Confucian Philosophy).
Over the decades, faculty members of the department have published more than a hundred scholarly books and translations, along with hundreds of influential research articles. They have also contributed to founding national academic societies such as the Korean Philosophical Association and have played a significant role in both academic research and the cultivation of talented students.
Furthermore, the department established the Institute for Critical Thinking and Writing, which operates a certification program for writing education.