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About us
We're a thriving, friendly department, highly regarded for the advanced study of philosophy.
We're a vibrant community of thinkers united by our drive to answer the central questions of theoretical and practical philosophy. What should we believe? How should we behave?
We bring together insights from the history of philosophy with contemporary ideas, to tackle pressing issues that face us in a changing world.
Our vision
Karl Marx famously stated that: “philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it.” Philosophy at its best strives to do both things: to understand the world and to transform it.
By allowing us to think clearly and carefully about what the world is like and about how it could be made better, we see philosophy, even at its most abstract and theoretical, as an intensely practical discipline.
Our research
From property rights to propositions, from grief to God, from fiction to Fichte, our researchers follow their curiosity wherever it leads. Recent research collaborations have focused on mental health, artificial intelligence, and justice and social institutions.
Our teaching
Philosophical questions can be asked across all disciplines, reflected across our Joint Honours courses.
We collaborate philosophically with a range of disciplines including law and computer science, politics and economics, health sciences, and the natural sciences.
Related links
in the UK
for research in Philosophy, according to the Times Higher Education's ranking of the latest REF results (2021).
in the UK
for Philosophy, according to the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024.
York Philosophy Society
York Philosophy Society is the University's student-run society for those interested in philosophy.
The society encourages philosophical discussion across disciplines. It hosts a range of social events including coffee mornings, bar nights and formal dinners. There are regular guest lectures, and the society is partnered with the philosophy journal Dialectic.
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An environment of inclusion
Diversity of perspectives is important in allowing philosophy to thrive. We value and encourage diversity and strive to make the Department an open and welcoming place for people of all backgrounds and perspectives.
We have a longstanding commitment to upholding the British Philosophical Assocation Good Practice Scheme recommendations. We also hold an Athena Swan Bronze award, recognising our dedication to equality and diversity.
