Benjamin Yelle is a Philosophy professor at Northeastern University rated 3.96/5 on Rate My Professors by 48 students, with 3.3/5 RMP difficulty and 65% who would take them again (RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated October 2026).
Benjamin Yelle professor reviews and ratings: 3.96/5 from 48 RMP ratings at Northeastern (65% would take again). RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
Super awesome guy, take the class. One presentation, research project is a lot of reading but its worth it. Super interesting.PHIL1101 2026-05-03 23:09:56 +0000 UTC
very enthusiastic and energetic lectures which are more recaps of the readings followed by class discussions. was expecting him to be a difficult grader but all you have to do is be engaged with the material and opinionated about the content, which isn't that hard given that there are multiple relevant contemporary case studies discussed each week.PHIL1145 2026-04-29 01:38:47 +0000 UTC
Ethics of Food was actually really fun! We got to cook during one class. His lectures are discussion heavy and there is a good amount of reading assigned. He can be out of pocket, but it's not that bad. Good amount of group work too.PHIL1185 2026-04-18 16:07:10 +0000 UTC
I took Prof. Yelle for his Philosophy and Literature class but it wasn't available here. Professor Yelle is very cool, funny and open. There is definitely a lot of reading and a good amount of writing, given it is a mix of philosophy and literature course, but it's super interesting and he gives great guidelines. Be ready to contribute in class!PHIL2143 2025-12-17 01:38:33 +0000 UTC
Unlike other subjects, it takes a solid understanding of philosophy and morals to be a good teacher and prof Yelle is extremely qualified. His lectures hosted some of the most thought-provoking conversations I've ever heard & I feel I'm better off for taking his course. As long as you read the passages and take notes, you'll be fine. Amazing class.PHIL1102 2018-04-11 10:37:19 +0000 UTC
Most amazing teacher I ever had! Had class at 8 am but it was a pleasure to come, he makes everything very interesting, and the classes are just discussions around ethical concepts. All exams are take home, and as he gives great feedback it pushes us to give our best. Plus he gives extra credit if you wanna give a presentation. Take him!PHIL1170 2016-12-15 14:44:21 +0000 UTC
Lectures were always enjoyable, and Prof Yelle always made an effort to ensure discussions were inclusive. The topics we went over were interesting. He's not as tough a grader as other people here make him out to be, but be prepared to spend a good amount of time on the final paper.PHIL1101 2025-04-25 22:28:25 +0000 UTC
Only professor that I've looked forward to going to lectures to. Super funny and makes the material interesting to learn. You have to talk occasionally in his class, but I found myself engaging beyond just to get a participation grade. Would take again.PHIL1145 2026-04-02 19:59:05 +0000 UTC
Food Ethics with Ben was a MISTAKE. He was not an expert on the topic. Thankfully class discussions were typical, but he would still cut off meaningful thoughts to return to his poor slides. And assignment sheets were sloppy and not representative of how he graded. If Ben graded his own materials like he graded student papers, he would fail BAD.PHIL1185 2024-11-03 16:14:56 +0000 UTC
Prof Yelle is a G. He has very particular ideas about how assignments should be completed, but if you're willing to talk to him, he tends to be more forgiving in his grading. The discussions felt unfortunately prefabricated- he has a predetermined outcome for each conversation, regardless of whether students agree with the readings being discussed.PHIL2143 2025-12-12 17:02:21 +0000 UTC
Usually would hate the idea of any class with pop quizzes, but besides the fact that they're usually easy to see coming, you'll want to be at every class anyway and as long as you briefly look over the readings they're pretty easy. Professor Yelle is really an amazing, young professor who cares about his students and also makes you think.PHIL1102 2017-04-11 21:59:33 +0000 UTC
If you are serious about philosophy, don't take his class. He has a strong tendency to avoid tough questions. He grades erratically and too harshly. Essays can only repeat his ideas rather than yours. And must be extremely straightforward, otherwise he will "not detailed enough" and give low marks for any rhetorical questions, irony, and intimationPHIL1101 2025-01-31 18:07:27 +0000 UTC
About 3-4 assignments as week, each having over 10 pages of reading and analyzing. Discussion boards, Perusall, random books, but uses it to fuel a discussion every class so you have to read it. Grades tough despite the class being required for NuPath. No technology in class, and the first philosophy class that you struggle to maintain an A in.PHIL1145 2026-03-03 22:24:53 +0000 UTC
I had for PHIL2143 (philosophy for children) not PHIL1185, Yelle was a great, energetic professor who fully engaged his students. You're not allowed to have your laptop out/open in class, which actually really helps focus, and I would love to take his class again.PHIL1185 2023-12-21 20:17:01 +0000 UTC
Professor Yelle was one of the best professors I had. He was always welcoming and inclusive and completely unbiased. His classes were always engaging and funny and I made some amazing friends because of it. I don't know how anyone could leave a bad review, his classes are awesome. He's a harsh grader but college grades barely matter anyways.PHIL1101 2024-12-09 22:09:01 +0000 UTC
Benjamin Yelle is rated 3.96/5 on Rate My Professors from 48 ratings. 65% of RMP reviewers said they would take them again.
Benjamin Yelle's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.3/5 on Rate My Professors.
Benjamin Yelle has taught PHIL1145, PHIL2143, PHIL1185, PHIL1101, PHIL3460, PHIL1112, PHIL1000, PHIL1102 and 1 more at Northeastern.
Data updated October 2026.