Philosophy

Philosophy is the careful, reasoned engagement with fundamental questions about human existence, truth and knowledge, right and wrong, politics and justice, art, faith and reason. But you’ll do more than explore ideas with us. You’ll apply philosophy in real-world scenarios, examining philosophy’s role in addressing global, social and political challenges. Develop your skills in critical thinking and clarity of communication, and you can be confident of success in a very wide range of graduate roles.

Why Lancaster?

• Take the opportunity to engage in philosophy as an active practice, learning from philosophers who are involved in developing the research, ideas, and theory you will study

• Study a distinctive course that draws upon multiple philosophical traditions including, western, Chinese, and feminist thought

• Join a thriving community and take part in events organised by our Philosophical Society, including debates, essay competitions, and visits by guest speakers

• Gain valuable work experience with internship opportunities through the Richardson Institute for Peace Studies, known for its cutting-edge research

• Develop a strong portfolio of work, showcasing your philosophical reasoning skills, critical thinking skills and communicative abilities, valuable attributes that will open up a range of career prospects

Depth and breadth of philosophical knowledge

This course will provide you with rich and varied philosophical knowledge, through engaging with methodological and culturally diverse content across a broad range of topics. In your first year, you will study ethics, critical thinking and logic, metaphysics, epistemology, history of philosophy from a range of philosophical traditions, and political philosophy. You will develop strong foundational knowledge and confidence in key areas of the discipline.

In your second year, alongside core study in applied philosophy, philosophy of science and philosophy of mind, and a guided philosophy project, you will choose subjects from amongst these and others to study in greater depth, developing a rich picture of key questions and debates in philosophy. These may include:

• Language, Communication and Knowledge

• Continental Philosophy

• Philosophical Perspectives on Politics and Economics

This depth of knowledge and study will prepare you for your final year of the programme in which you will probe our specialist, cutting-edge research through your own independent research project and through topics ranging from philosophy and popular culture to the philosophy of global crises.

Understand philosophy’s impact on the world

Throughout your degree, you will consider philosophy’s relevance to and impact on the world, as philosophy is not something we exclusively learn about in the classroom. At Lancaster, our emphasis is on philosophy as a collective, ongoing, socially applicable practice and we foster a collaborative learning environment where ideas are shared and developed together.

Applied philosophy is central to our programme. Through exploration of specialist topics and contemporary debates you will tackle complex theoretical and practical issues, engage with important global social challenges, and develop critical reasoning and communication skills. Through multiple perspectives—including global traditions, feminist and critical thought, political philosophy, and the history of philosophy—you will explore philosophy’s relevance to social and political life.

Gain critical skills

Philosophy is both an activity and a body of knowledge—at Lancaster, we emphasise both. Through structured training and practice, you will develop critical thinking and logic skills essential for philosophical reasoning and practice and beyond.