Philosophy and Politics - MA (Hons)

The University of Edinburgh

**Philosophy**Philosophy has been at the core of Western intellectual life for at least 2,500 years. It is central to our understanding of the world and our interaction with it.Philosophy gives you the skills to think about great philosophical questions in a clear and systematic way.While there are different approaches that philosophers have taken, the study of philosophy focuses on:* argument* critical enquiry* rigour in reasoning* clarity of expression, including making important distinctions**Politics**Politics studies the theory and practice of how societies are governed. It asks questions such as:* How do our political institutions create collective rules and who has the power to make them?* What are the consequences of political decisions?* What is the nature of a just society, and how do we get there?Drawing on the expertise of leading academics and researchers in the field, you will explore the origins and present-day contexts of societal conflicts about power and resources.You will also study the:* processes of governance at the local, national, and international levels* morality of political action* limits of freedom and justice**Programme benefits*** Philosophy has been taught at the University since its foundation in 1583. Edinburgh was the centre of the Scottish Enlightenment and has a distinguished place in the history of philosophy.* You will have a choice of more than 40 option courses in Years 3 and 4 in all the main branches of philosophy.* Our world-leading academics are especially strong in:* philosophy of mind and cognition, language and science* ethics* epistemology* history of philosophy* The University has a strong historic connection to the subject, with Adam Ferguson and Sir William Hamilton among its former students.* Edinburgh has one of the UK’s largest philosophy departments and the Philosophy Society attracts high-profile speakers.* Our programme covers the basics of Western philosophy. Later in the degree, you can select from a variety of courses on subjects from the philosophy of wellbeing to feminism.**

School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences