Philosophy

Philosophy is the study of fundamental ideas about the world we live in, about what would constitute a good life in such a world, and about 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 that they themselves may have reached concerning foundational questions, but they are also expected to try to understand some of the influential conclusions that others have reached. Furthermore, it is essential that students try to understand what reasons people have had for reaching those conclusions. Thus, we require students to study the theory of reasoning (logic) as a core topic.

The following are other areas of study which 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 investigates the principles which underlie the structure of a good society.

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 doing philosophy. Thus for any discipline there is an area of study appropriately described as the philosophy of that discipline. There is 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. Philosophers can also attempt to integrate different disciplines, at a foundational level, into a coherent overall world-view.

Thus, the focus of philosophical concerns varies enormously. Consequently we provide a wide range of options for study while at the same time attempting to ensure that every student has some acquaintance with the central problems and traditions in philosophy.

For an indication of some of the most central issues in current philosophy, read What does it all mean? by Thomas Nagel, OUP, 1987.

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