Philosophy has a long and proud history, and continues to have pervasive and widespread influence. The teaching program in philosophy makes available, to students in many disciplines, an acquaintance with influential writings and traditions, from ancient times through to the cutting edge of current work in the discipline. Courses are offered on a wide range of subject matter, and a wide variety of philosophers and traditions. For students who choose to major in the discipline, cumulative sequences of subjects are offered which aim to equip them with a deep and extensive mastery of current work and its historical perspective in different areas of the discipline.
Courses in philosophy aim to equip students not only with an acquaintance with a variety of world views but also with an understanding of the reasons which can be offered in justification of those views. Students are encouraged to develop capabilities of mounting and assessing coherent arguments for or against a position, discriminating among rival interpretations of difficult materials, and effectively articulating a viewpoint. They are also expected to acquire skills in the use of original sources and secondary literature. The courses aim to foster attitudes that are highly prized in a liberal society: a disposition to ask profitable questions and to adopt a positive but critical attitude to the answers, and to seek to understand not only what other people think but also what rational grounds can be given for their views.
Students are also encouraged to adopt a positive but critical stance towards their own positions, acknowledging any contributions of others, and seeking as far as possible to find or reach a measure of rational agreement.
Our wide-ranging teaching programs are designed to help students achieve these objectives by (i) concentrating on works of acknowledged importance, and striking a good balance between contemporary writings and influential historical contributions in the same area; (ii) aiming to give students prompt feedback on assessment tasks which are designed to develop relevant understanding, skills and attitudes; and (iii) providing cumulative sequences of subjects leading to a major in different areas of the discipline.
The objectives of the teaching program in philosophy are traditional for the discipline. Students are set achievable goals of recognised value in a rapidly changing liberal democracy. Pursuit of these goals is of personal value, in fostering a healthy balance of enthusiasm and rational scepticism, and in seeing other studies and pursuits in the wider perspective of fundamental, abiding human concerns.
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