The purpose of the D Phil in Philosophy is to produce reflective members and leaders of society who are able to think clearly and critically about intellectual and ethical and cultural issues in a complex multicultural and globalized world at an advanced level. The aim is to produce highly qualified and resourceful thinkers who are able to make informed judgments in their specialist areas and who are able to transfer their expertise and apply it in many contexts. Such thinkers increase the pool of qualified academic researchers. They will contribute to the regional and national goals through the possession of intellectual resources which may be applied to the formulation of policies relevant to the common and public good, through the ability to facilitate constructive dialogue and through the ability to critique unexamined ideologies. In addition in an ‘information age’ they will be able to discern what genuinely promotes human, social and cultural development.
Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy
The outcomes relate directly to the purpose of the qualification: to provide competent thinkers and philosopher who as members and leaders of society will be able to apply their knowledge and skills in an integrated way to the many complex arising in the contemporary world. On achieving this qualification a candidate will:
- Possess analytical skills along with the ability to sympathetically appreciate and dialectically related and integrate diverse viewpoints.
- Be able to analyze and interpret and critique important philosophical texts and produce papers and give lectures on a variety of issues.
- Be aware of a wide range of philosophical positions and methods and be able to apply this knowledge to complex social, economic, cultural situations.
- Be able to make informed judgments when applying philosophical knowledge or methods to concrete issues, even if complete data is not available.
- Be able to communicate arguments both specialists and non-specialists.
- Be fully acquainted with the latest research findings in the field.
- Have made a substantial and original contribution to the advancement of knowledge in both theoretical and applied philosophy.
- Be able to contribute to the common and public good through the application of philosophical resources to issues in contemporary social and political and cultural life.
Competence is evident when the candidate:
- Has presented a thesis constituting a substantial and original contribution to the advancement of knowledge in theoretical and/or applied philosophy and showing critical thought and rigorous analysis and expertise in the methods of scientific research appropriate to the topic.
- Has demonstrated the ability to conceptualize and to design a research programme for the generation of new knowledge and the ability to redesign the project in light of new discoveries or unforeseen problems.
- Has been able to defend the research findings before a board of examiners.