Future Students

Philosophy

These include questions about the existence of God, whether we can ever get the truth about the world, and whether we are able to know the right thing to do.

In trying to find answers to these questions, lots of other problems emerge. These include: Is time travel possible? Could time come to an end? Are moral values objective? Do non-human animals have rights? Do computers think? Can we tell whether other people’s experiences are like our own? If our actions can be explained scientifically, does this mean that we are not free agents? Does science reveal how the world really is? How does the scientific view fit with common sense?

Anyone who has ever asked questions like these has already started to do philosophy. Philosophy is one of the world’s oldest subjects of study, and has given birth to many others. For example, during the 16th century, physics became a separate subject, and in the nineteenth century psychology gradually developed a separate identity. New disciplines continue to emerge from work in philosophy, such as cognitive science, in which philosophers, psychologists and computer scientists work with other experts to try to unravel the nature of intelligent systems and to understand consciousness, thinking, speech and reason.

Philosophy cannot be learnt by rote or from a text book. Studying it in depth develops reasoning powers by requiring focus on some of the most persistently worrying questions that have always engaged reflective people. Philosophical studies are difficult but rewarding. They leave a deep mark on the mind, and provide intellectual virtues and critical skills highly valued by employers.

Philosophy may be studied as a major within the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies). This includes combined courses which include these degrees. You may be able to study individual Philosophy units within other degrees.

Level 1
In Level 1 you will be introduced to philosophy. You have a choice about your way into the subject and can select the options which fit best with your other interests.

Levels 2 and 3
Upper Level units are more specialized and include the study of ethics, the history of philosophy, Eastern philosophy, philosophy of mind, logic and language, philosophy of science, philosophy of religion, and formal logic.

Philosophy can be combined with related subjects in a way that makes the most of both. For example, philosophy of mind combines well with units in psychology, logic with mathematics, computing and linguistics, ethics with most humanities subjects and philosophy of science with most science subjects.

Career opportunities

Philosophy at UWA prides itself on the attention given to students. The use of tutorials and lecture-seminars ensures that you participate in learning. As a result, philosophy graduates tend to be highly articulate and able to deal with complex issues—skills which never go out of date. In business and the public service, philosophy graduates can be found in challenging areas, such as strategic planning, where their conceptual skills and the ability to ‘see the big picture’, are highly valued. Recent UWA philosophy graduates have found work in journalism, computing, libraries, the law and the public service. A small number of graduates go on to take higher degrees in philosophy and become university or college teachers. Several recent graduates have followed this route to posts in universities in North America and the United Kingdom.