Bachelor's Programme in Theoretical Philosophy

Theoretical philosophy deals with the foundations of human knowledge, thinking, and language. It is about how we understand the world and what philosophical tools we can use to assess what is true.

In this programme, you gain understanding of central problems in theoretical philosophy and acquire the skills to explore them. You develop your ability for thinking independently, questioning, and arguing, and you learn to critically evaluate and present your thoughts.

The programme’s courses in logic, epistemology, and philosophy of science provide the means for critically evaluating both highly abstract and everyday claims. Courses in philosophy of language show how to analyse linguistic communication. Courses in philosophy of mind provide the means for understanding our minds and how we understand reality. Courses in metaphysics ask big questions about the nature of reality.

Your knowledge and skills are widened and deepened through courses in ethics, aesthetics, and courses outside of philosophy: courses in cognitive psychology and in linguistics provide scientific background to the philosophy of mind and philosophy of language. A course in decision theory provides technical skills valuable for ethics and philosophy of science. Ideas from metaphysics and philosophy of science are exemplified in a course in physics.

The programme provides you with:

• in-depth knowledge of central areas of theoretical philosophy and adjacent parts of philosophy
• tools for assessing, analysing, and critically evaluating arguments and claims
• tools for reading, writing, and engaging with difficult texts
• knowledge in psychology, linguistics, physics, and decision theory.

The skills you learn enable you to work efficiently at different and evolving workplaces.

Career

With a degree from the Bachelor’s Programme in Theoretical Philosophy, you will have acquired a deep and broad range of skills. Your analytical and argumentative skills can be applied across many career paths. You develop strong writing skills through your work on your Bachelor’s thesis and written assignments.

The programme provides you with a strong foundation for a career in research and analysis, as well as consulting in for example government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and the business sector.

Careers may include:

• researcher
• analyst
• project manager
• information officer
• public relations officer
• technical writer
• administrator

The programme also prepares you for postgraduate study in theoretical philosophy and philosophy in general.

Content

Courses within the programme

Semester 1

Theoretical Philosophy I, 30 credits:

• Critical Thinking, 7.5 credits
• Metaphysics and Epistemology. 7.5 credits
• Metaethics and Metanormativity, 7.5 credits
• Philosophy of Mind, 7.5 credits

Semester 2

Theoretical Philosophy B, 30 credits:

• Logic, 6 credits
• History of Philosophy, 12 credits
• Philosophy of Science, 6 credits
• Philosophy of Language, 6 credits

Semester 3

• Decision Theory, 7.5 credits
• Physics for Humanities Students, 7.5 credits
• Cognitive Psychology, 7.5 credits
• Language, Culture, and Thought, 7.5 credits

(Please note that some of the course names for semester 3 are yet to be determined.)

Semester 4

Aesthetics B, 30 credits:

• Philosophical Aesthetics: Three Central Problems, 15 credits
• Ontology of Art, 7.5 credits
• Essay, 7.5 credits

Semester 5

Theoretical Philosophy C, 30 credits:

• Course 1 (content varies), 7.5 credits
• Course 2 (content varies), 7.5 credits
• Degree project (bachelor’s thesis), 15 credits

Semester 6

Courses, internship or studies abroad, 30 credits

International opportunities

During semester six, you have the opportunity, subject to agreement with the programme coordinator, to undertake exchange studies through Uppsala University’s central agreements or those available at the Faculty of Arts. Uppsala University has student exchange agreements with over 400 other universities around the world.

Learning experience

Teaching takes the form of lectures, seminars, and tutorials. All teaching is conducted in English. The seminar format provides you with training in communication, presentation, and argumentation skills and develops your ability to work in a group.

Internship

If you choose to undertake an internship, you will develop your independence and build up networks. You are responsible for identifying and contacting possible workplaces. The department will support you in contacts with potential hosts for the internship.

A range of different workplaces may be suitable for the placement, including consulting firms, government agencies, and non-profit organisations. Previous students at the Department of Philosophy have, for example, undertaken internships at Amnesty International, Sweden’s Ministry of Culture, Karolinska Institutet, and the Center for Business and Policy Studies (SNS).

Degree

The programme leads to the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Theoretical Philosophy as the main field of study.