Studying Philosophy at Exeter

Dr. Edward Skidelsky

What is Philosophy?

Choose Philosophy if…• … you like asking questions such as:

– Does the world outside my mind exist? How do I know?

– Could a machine ever think?

– What makes actions good or bad?

– Why do we say that a carrot is alive, and a stone isn’t?

– What is the meaning of life?

Choose Philosophy if…

• You want to come up with your own rigorous answers to such questions!

The Philosopher’s skills:

• Rigorous, logical thinking

• Ability to analyse arguments

• Ability to provide reasons for one’s own views

Employment Possibilities:• Law

• Journalism

• Any job that requires you to develop clear and rigorous arguments

• Exeter takes employment seriously. Despite the hard economic times, we have improved our employment record year-on-year: over 90 per cent of students get a job or further study place within six months of graduating.

Why Philosophy at Exeter?• Top 10 in the UK for both Philosophy in The Sunday

Times University Guide 2012• 6th in the UK for research• Flexibility to tailor your degree around your own

interests• Distinctive interdisciplinary approach with

philosophers, sociologists, and anthropologists working together in teaching and research

• Opportunities to study abroad in Europe, USA, Australia and elsewhere

• The department has particular strengths in the philosophy of science and in social, political and moral philosophy.

• We are one of the foremost centres for the philosophy of biology in the UK and in the world.

Single Honours Philosophy

Single Honours Philosophy

• The single honours philosophy degree is divided into core and optional modules. This gives you a solid grounding in the central areas of philosophy, and enables you to develop your own interests.

• Each year, you will do between 6 and 8 modules. Up to two of these can be from departments outside philosophy.

Year 1

Core Modules:– Knowledge & Reality – Philosophical Readings – Evidence and Argument– Introduction to Philosophical

Analysis

Optional Modules:– Philosophy and Film– Philosophical Reading– Modules from other departments

Year 2

Optional Modules:

– Philosophy of Mind – Philosophy of Nature – Ethics– Social Philosophy– Philosophy of Science– Modules from other

departments

Year 3

Optional modules: – Philosophical Readings– Sex and Death: Introduction to

the Philosophy of Biology– Mythologies of Transhumanism– Theories of Liberty

Core module: – Dissertation

Philosophy Dissertation topics Examples:

• A comparison of the “self” in Hume and Buddhism

• Arguments in favour of and against torture

• Should pornography be made illegal?

More information about modules

• http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/sociology/undergraduate/degrees/baphilosophy/structure/

Joint Honours Philosophy

Joint Honours Philosophy

Philosophy is available in combination with a wide variety of other subjects in Exeter.

• Philosophy and Political Economy (PPE)• Classical Studies and Philosophy• Philosophy and Modern Languages• Philosophy and History• Philosophy and Politics• Philosophy and Sociology• Philosophy and Theology• Flexible Combined Honours

Studying Abroad

• All philosophy degrees come with a “study abroad” option. This enables you to spend your third year studying in another country, returning to finish your degree at Exeter in the 4th year.

• Exeter has 180 partner universities in countries all across the world. Last year 400 Exeter students studied abroad.

Choosing your programme

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

• Lectures (30-100 students)• Tutorials (12-15 students)• Office hours (one-to-one)

• 10 contact hours per week.

Assessment

• Essays• Exams• Dissertation• Presentations• Participation

Final degree = 1/3 second yr + 2/3 third yr

Further information

http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/sociology/

Mr. Dave Morning, Department Administrator d.s.morning@exeter.ac.ukTel. 01392 263276

A Topic in Ethics.

• Two cousins are visiting their sick grandmother in hospital. One takes pleasure in the visit. The other regards it as a boring duty.

• Question: which of the two cousins has acted better?

A Topic in Ethics.

• John is in serious debt, and rings his friends for help. One of them offers him money gladly. Another also offers him money, but without any pleasure, because he knows it is “the right thing to do.”

• Question: which of John’s two friends is more generous?

A Topic in Ethics.

• Two soldiers go into battle. One is full of excitement. The other is terrified, but manages to control his fear.

• Question: which of the two soldiers is braver?