“Philosophy is stripping the engine to the smallest cog then gazing at the pieces and wondering how it ever fitted together. My degree has allowed me to explore many subjects within one discipline. You will need an analytical and open mind but it’s been a very rewarding experience for me.”
Olly (London)
Training in the sort of precise and effective reading, and the clear thinking and writing required for all philosophical study makes a good preparation for many careers. Employers welcome the sense of perspective and the attention to detail that philosophy encourages, both by itself and in combination with other subjects.
Staff at St Andrews are at the forefront of research in their varied fields. This expertise and enthusiasm is conveyed in teaching at all levels. There is a flourishing graduate programme, and a busy schedule of conferences, symposia and special lectures with speakers from all over the world. St Andrews is also home to one of the most respected international philosophy journals, the Philosophical Quarterly.
The Philosophy Departments are housed in Edgecliffe, a nineteenth-century building with beautiful views out over St Andrews Bay.
Summary of Course Content We offer a wide range of choices at all levels.
First and Second Level First level teaching allows you to study some of the great books in philosophy, and introduces you to fundamental philosophical questions discussed by philosophers from the beginnings of Greek antiquity right up until the present day. These questions can be abstract and theoretical, for example how to define knowledge or how to relate the mind and the body, or practical, for example whether euthanasia or war are ever justified. There are specific subjects you have to cover if you want to continue with philosophy, but there are several options to choose from, even at the introductory level.
At Second level, there is the opportunity to study the history of philosophy, both ancient and modern, and to learn about intermediate logic, the philosophy of space, time and nature, the philosophy of action and aesthetics. You will be able to explore more deeply some of the questions you will have worked on at the first level, and lay the foundation required for an Honours degree in philosophy.
Honours (3rd and 4th years) The core subjects at Junior Honours are metaphysics and the philosophy of language, and the philosophy of value. In addition, you choose from a wide variety of advanced options, including topics in epistemology (the study of knowledge), the philosophy of language, metaphysics, formal logic, the philosophies of logic, mind, science, mathematics and physics, applied ethics, ethical and political theory, metaethics, aesthetics, and the philosophies of film, art and religion, as well as texts in the history of philosophy, such as Scottish philosophy, Kant or Wittgenstein.
Teaching First and Second level teaching involves both formal lectures and informal tutorials, in which students discuss their ideas, questions and problems with their tutor and with fellow students. There are also examples classes to support the teaching of formal logic. At more advanced levels, teaching is often conducted in seminars, where students present and discuss their own work.
Scholarships The University awards needs-based Entrant Scholarships to students in Philosophy. Further information at:
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/scholarships
Study Abroad Philosophy has a well-established Erasmus exchange with the University of Aarhus in Denmark, where some classes are taught in English. Philosophy students may also apply to the University’s North American Exchange Programme. Please refer to pages 20-21 for further details.
Careers Recent graduates have found openings in local government, television production (Sky Sports), Oddbins as a wine advisor, as a public information intern for the United Nations Commission for Refugees, the National Health Service, the Co-operative Bank, insurance, the Crown Prosecution Service, publishing, and teaching English in Japan. It is not uncommon for St Andrews philosophy graduates to enter the legal profession after a conversion course or a second degree in law. A substantial proportion of philosophy graduates choose to pursue an academic career.
171
“Tus ending my course o Philosophie in St Andros . . . [wich has] oerit to me all guid occasion o . . . godline, lerning, and wisdom.”
James Melville’s Diary – 1574
Philosophy
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195