How should we live our lives? What is the fundamental nature of reality? What does it mean to be human, and what is the meaning of life? All these questions concern philosophy, theology and religion, and there are many ways to think about them.
We may not realise it, but every day we ask ourselves questions that fit into these subjects. We all have ideas about how to live our lives, what matters to us, and how we arrange our social relationships.
More contemporary issues around the environmental crisis, mental health, Black Lives Matter and artificial intelligence also raise important and ongoing philosophical and religious questions, which we’ll explore together during the course.
You’ll learn trained communication skills, like the ability to productively criticise, to see the bigger picture, and to balance different values. Finding ways to explore both differences and agreements using varied methods is a vital skill for your personal life and professional career, in any industry.
Exploring diversity together
Our philosophy curriculum is one of the most diverse in the UK, covering philosophies from every culture, tradition and different regions. In theology and religious studies there’s also a big emphasis on diversity.
We often say our specialisms are Christianity and Islam, but you’ll also explore Buddhism, Judaism, and some more marginalised traditions like Africana religions.
This approach helps you appreciate global religious perspectives. You’ll also experience working with texts, like the stories that are told by various cultural beliefs.
By engaging with these texts, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of how imagination and storytelling have influenced people across centuries—and how they can inspire you too.
All subjects raise philosophical questions
Philosophy connects very well to other subjects, because all subjects raise philosophical questions.
For example, there's a philosophy of science, philosophy of religion and philosophy of mind. There are all sorts of different connections to philosophy out there and we welcome you to explore them.
You might have chosen to do a joint honors degree in philosophy and psychology, meaning you could look at the philosophy of the mind, the philosophy of mental health, or the philosophy of psychiatry. The choice is yours, and we hope the flexibility to choose will help you become more of an independent thinker.
