Philosophy - Faculty of Arts

Offered by the School of Philosophy and Bioethics

Philosophy is the study of fundamental ideas about the world we live in. It questions the nature of our world, asks what would constitute a good life in such a world, and asks what could be done to make it better.

Students are not expected to be persuaded by the doctrines of any one school or tradition. Rather, we seek to deepen the understanding of a variety of different world views. Students are encouraged to express any conclusions they themselves may have reached concerning foundational questions, but they are also expected to try to understand some of the influential conclusions others have reached. Furthermore, it is essential that students try to understand what reasons people have had for reaching those conclusions. Thus, we strongly encourage students to study the theory of reasoning (logic) if they intend to major in philosophy.

The following are some other areas of study that are central to philosophy. Metaphysics is the study of what sorts of things exist in the world, and how they are related: for instance, whether there is a mind or soul and if so, how it is related to the body. Epistemology is the study of what constitutes knowledge of the world, and of what methods can be used to obtain it. Ethics and aesthetics investigate what it is to make value judgements, and how such judgements can be justified. Political philosophy attempts to discover the principles that underlie the structure of a good society. Philosophy of language investigates the notions of meaning, truth and linguistic understanding. Philosophy of mind studies the nature of the conscious mind.

Every human inquiry rests on general assumptions, which we take for granted while we pursue more particular goals. At times however, in any discipline, foundational questions arise. Anyone facing such questions, in any discipline, is studying philosophy. Thus, for any discipline, there is an area of study appropriately described as the philosophy of that discipline, for example the philosophy of history, of psychology, of biology, of science, of law, of mathematics, and so on.

Sometimes these foundational questions within a discipline can profitably be explored by philosophers as well as by specialists in that discipline. Philosophers can draw connections between the foundational problems arising in one discipline and those arising in other disciplines. They can also attempt to integrate different disciplines, at a foundational level, into a coherent overall world view.

Because the focus of philosophical concerns varies enormously, we provide a wide range of options for study while at the same time attempting to ensure that students have some acquaintance with the central problems and traditions in philosophy. Philosophy provides skills in reasoning and argument that are applicable in a wide variety of professions as well as the opportunity to engage in a reflective appraisal of our place in the universe.

Year coordinators

Students wanting advice should first approach their tutors or lecturers in individual units. Students may also wish to approach the appropriate year-level coordinator. First, second and third year enquiries should be directed to the Undergraduate Coordinator (PhilBio.UGCoordinator@arts.monash.edu.au). Honours enquiries to Jakob Hohwy. Graduate coursework enquiries to Justin Oakley. Graduate research enquiries to Dirk Baltzly.

Resource-based teaching and flexible delivery

Sufficient philosophy units are offered in flexible mode to complete a major. All these units can be taken in any semester and are flexibly scheduled so that class commitments are kept to a minimum. Flexible learning mode units are also available in the summer and in off-campus learning mode. These units use materials prepared specifically for off-campus students, but there is also a tutorial support service operating by telephone, fax and email. These basic resources are usually supplemented by workshops. Attendance at these workshops is optional. The intention is that the flexible learning program should make philosophy units available to students whose work or other commitments make it difficult for them to attend regular classes on-campus. For more details on flexible learning units, contact room W905 in the philosophy office or visit its website.

Closely associated with resource-based teaching is an alternative assessment program. The Keller Plan is used in most of these units. In the plan, a series of assessment tasks are completed in a specified order. Typically, the series involves short exercises, an essay and tests. Each task has to be completed at a satisfactory standard before moving on to the next, but students nominate the standard to count as satisfactory (pass, credit or distinction) and can retry on any task until that standard is achieved.

A first-year sequence in philosophy is the normal prerequisite for later-year philosophy units. However, some later-year units have only one philosophy unit as a prerequisite, and some others have no philosophy prerequisite at all.

For information on the units required for a major or minor in philosophy, refer to the `Areas of study' section on the Arts faculty website at http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/current/coursework/study-areas/.

Relevant courses

• Diploma in Arts (Philosophy)
• Bachelor of Arts (and associated double degrees)
• Bachelor of Arts (Global)
• Bachelor of Letters

General inquiries

(Clayton): Room W907, West Wing, Menzies building; Telephone +61 3 9905 3209; Email philosophy@arts.monash.edu.au or visit http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/schools/plb/.