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Philosophy @ Edinburgh

Edinburgh has a distinguished place in the history of philosophy, having been home to David Hume and Adam Smith. Philosophy has been taught at the university since its foundation in 1583. The department counts among its past scholars such leading figures as Adam Ferguson, Dugald Stewart, Sir William Hamilton, A. E. Taylor, Norman Kemp Smith, John Macmurray and W.H. Walsh.

The current department, now part of the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences (PPLS), has research strengths in almost all the main areas of philosophy, with special expertise in the following areas:

In the latest UK Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), 65% of the Department of Philosophy`s research activity was judged to be either `world-leading` or `internationally excellent`. As a guide, this puts us on a par with the Departments of Philosophy at Oxford and Cambridge, and so confirms our status as one of the leading Departments of Philosophy in the UK for research (in the last RAE, in 2001, we were one of only a small handful of Departments of Philosophy in the UK to obtain the highest ranking of 5*). Considering that we are a relatively young Department, this is a significant achievement, and one that bodes very well for the future.

The Philosophy department is hoping to appoint a new lecturer in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition. Closing date: December 4, 2009. See here for more details.

Latest News and Events

News

Moral Cognition Lab internship for Philosophy student

13 Mar 2010

Congratulations to our own Diana Stewart...

Edinburgh Philosophy PGs Win ASSC Essay Prize

18 Feb 2010

Two Philosophy PG students, Sam Wilkinson and Victoria Stone, have won...

"Erratic Thinkers" Broadcasts

17 Feb 2010

4th-year philosophy student Jack Wright hosts Fresh Air FM's "Erratic Thinkers" series

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Events

Visiting Speaker Philosophy Seminar

26 Mar 2010 16:00 – 18:00

David Levy (The University of Edinburgh)

‘Moral Authority’

22nd Language at Edinburgh Lunch

30 Apr 2010 13:15 – 13:15

The Language at Edinburgh Lunch is a bi-monthly opportunity for members of the University...

Exploring Knowledge Exchange

26 May 2010

Training course for academic staff

  • Like to engage with non-academics around your...

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Contact details

Philosophy
University of Edinburgh
Dugald Stewart Building
3 Charles Street
Edinburgh EH8 9AD
Scotland (UK)

Tel: +44 (0) 131 651 3733
Fax: +44 (0) 131 650 3660
Email: philosophy-department@ed.ac.uk