This plan is only available to students commencing 2009 onwards


Philosophy is different from other disciplines in that it raises questions about all aspects of human life and the world and investigates them systematically. The major in Philosophy focuses on interpretation of texts, balanced exposition and examination of issues, criticism of doctrines and beliefs commonly taken for granted, and construction and appraisal of arguments. The Philosophy curriculum seeks progressively to develop students’ skills in critical thinking and analysis, effective communication and persuasion in subject matter covered in the humanities and beyond. It also emphasises the intrinsic value of philosophy and philosophical thinking and analysis. The major provides courses and progression in three areas, or ‘streams’: ‘Epistemology and Metaphysics’, ‘Moral, Social, and Political Philosophy’, and ‘Philosophical Traditions’.

Aims of the Major

The list of aims reflect the knowledge and understanding of philosophy and its various applications and methods, together with a profile of skills and capacities, which students should attain progressively through the period of their candidature.

Knowledge and Understanding

• knowledge of the theories and arguments of some of the major philosophers, encountered in their own writings;
• understanding of a number of major philosophical issues including arguments for or against proposed solutions;
• grasp of some central theories and arguments in the fields of epistemology and metaphysics, moral, social and political philosophy, and philosophical traditions, broadly understood;
• appreciation of the wide range of application of techniques of philosophical reasoning;
• appreciation of the place of philosophy, its ideas and techniques, in contemporary debates;
• appreciation of the importance of careful reading of texts and sensitivity to intellectual tradition;
• appreciation of the interpretative character of knowledge claims;
• appreciation of cogent arguments supported with reasons.

Skills and Capacities

• ability to evaluate the success of standard arguments using a variety of techniques of formal and informal methods of reasoning as appropriate, together with an ability to recognise any relevant fallacies;
• ability to recognise the presuppositions and prejudices of knowledge claims;
• capacity to examine the authority of norms and values;
• ability to read and interpret texts drawn from a variety of ages and/or traditions with a sensitivity to context;
• ability to engage with relevant literature and independently to reflect on the quality of its arguments;
• ability to evaluate the relevance and quality of sources of information in relation to particular arguments;
• ability to formulate a coherent argument using a range of argumentative methods and reasoning strategies;
• capacity for a balanced and reasoned approach to contemporary issues and problems.

A student who wishes to gain a major sequence in Philosophy must complete 54 units of credit including 12 uoc at level 1, at least 18 uoc at level 2 and at least 18 uoc at level 3 including the capstone course.

Students taking the Philosophy major are encouraged to take the following course as a free elective:

In order to take Level 2 courses in Philosophy, students must have completed at least 48 units of credit (uoc) in any discipline, including 12 uoc in Philosophy at Level 1.

Each level 2 course is designed to be self-contained, but particular groupings of courses, ‘streams’, will enable students to pursue sustained treatments of particular areas or historical developments in the treatment of issues.

Stream 1: Epistemology & Metaphysics: examines the categories with which we understand the world. Study in this field includes the foundations and justifications of knowledge, the nature of scientific explanation, the concept of mind, artificial intelligence, logical knowledge and proof, critical thinking and reasoning, and the principles of linguistic meaning.

Stream 2. Moral, Social and Political Philosophy: examines the basis, character and justification of ethical judgment, the history of political thought, applied ethics, social theory and social justice, theories of governance and political legitimacy, the philosophy of education, the philosophy of technology, environmental philosophy and the nature and justification of religion.

Stream 3. Philosophical Traditions: focuses on specific traditions, periods and figures in philosophy, which may include topics described in the two streams above. The courses that we teach in this stream include continental philosophy, Chinese philosophy, ethics, phenomenology, existentialism, hermeneutics, classical Greek philosophy, modern philosophers such as Kant, Hegel and Nietzsche.

In order to take Level 3 courses in Philosophy, students must have completed at least 96 uoc in any discipline, including at least 18 uoc in Philosophy at Level 2. Level 3 courses typically cover topics in more depth and involve more significant proportions of research work in assignment tasks.

Students majoring in Philosophy are required to complete the Philosophy Capstone course, Advanced Topics in Philosophy. The Capstone course is designed to cultivate students’ capacities for self-directed learning, and aims to further develop skills in critical thinking and research in Philosophy.