Courses / Subject

Toggle Print

Subject BACHELOR OF ARTS - PHILOSOPHY

Qualification: BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE
Award Type and NFQ Level:
Course code: ARTS
CAO/PAC code: MH101
Points: 338
QQI: Yes click here for details
Closing date: 01 July 2023
Details Details
 

'Philosophy' is an ancient Greek word that means ‘love of wisdom’. The wisdom philosophy seeks is concerned with the big questions that everyone will eventually encounter in his or her life: What is happiness? What is love? Is there a god? What is the meaning of it all?

Philosophy approaches these questions both historically and systematically. Thinking philosophically requires knowledge of what those who have come before us have thought; but it also requires the ability to evaluate these positions critically.

Philosophy explores the foundations of all of reality and of all knowledge. To mention a few examples, there is a philosophy of language and a philosophy of music; political philosophy; ethics; a philosophy of science and a philosophy of religion. There is nothing that cannot be questioned philosophically, and there is no interest that cannot be combined with philosophy.

Philosophy is not the most practical of subjects. Yet every society needs philosophers—people who do not just live, love, work, raise children, etc., but who seek answers to the question “why”. This is the case particularly in the world today, which is changing so rapidly that one needs a solid grounding in order not to get lost.

Why choose this subject?

  • A philosophy degree is not a qualification for any particular career; rather, one studies philosophy to lead an 'examined life', as Socrates put it. Studying philosophy is an investment in one’s life.
  • This having been said, the expertise gained in philosophy is of great value in many different areas. Philosophy graduates are valued for their quick intelligence, ability to reason deeply, clearly and independently, and for their ability to take an overview on the problem or situation confronting them.
  • At Maynooth, philosophy can also be studied in conjunction with mathematics and computer science (BSc in Computational Thinking). This degree pathway brings philosophy to bear on some of the cutting-edge issues of contemporary society.
Open Entry requirements
 
Open Additional information
 
Open How to apply
 
Open Course structure
 
Open Contacts
 
Open Career and postgraduate options
 
Back to top Powered by MDAL Framework © 2022
V5.3.3 - Powered by MDAL Framework © 2022