Course overview
Philosophy as a human activity of fundamental and critical reflection on human conditions and experiences and the formulation and development of fundamental theories being, knowing, acting and the like has existed in all human cultures for thousand of years. It is a foundational aspect of all human cultures to ask the “big questions” about the fundamental nature of reality, about what it is to be human, what constitutes a good life, beauty, justice, knowledge, and how to confront and resolve ethical quandaries. The BA World Philosophies is a unique programme in the world to provide the opportunity to ask these questions and examine answers drawn from global, cross-cultural, inclusive and decolonial perspectives. This degree offers rigorous training in the epistemological standpoints, moral philosophical approaches, metaphysical systems, hermeneutical theories, feminist theories and existential thoughts of a range of Global North and Global South traditions in dialogue with each other. Because of this, the BA World Philosophies programme at SOAS is truly unique and state-of-the-art. In addition to the ability to think critically and rigorously, studying philosophical traditions from Asia, Africa, the Middle East in dialogue with Continental European and Anglophone traditions enables you to take a broad and comprehensive view of the world and to think more deeply, sensitively, and insightfully about humanity, (in)justice, ethics, lived experiences and real-world problems.
Philosophy has been a significant activity in every society for several thousand years.
It is a basic aspect of all human cultures to ask “big questions” about the fundamental nature of reality, about what it is to be human, what constitutes a good life, beauty, justice, knowledge, and how to confront and resolve ethical quandaries.
The BA World Philosophies is one of the only programmes in the world to provide the opportunity to ask these questions and examine answers from a global, cross-cultural, and decolonial perspective. This degree offers rigorous training in the epistemological standpoints, moral philosophical approaches, metaphysical systems, and socio-political thought of a range of Global North and Global South traditions in dialogue with each other. Because of this, the BA World Philosophies programme at SOAS is truly unique and state-of-the-art.
In addition to the ability to think critically and rigorously, studying philosophical traditions from Asia, Africa, the Middle East in dialogue with Continental European and Anglophone traditions enables you to take a broad and comprehensive view of the world and to think more deeply, sensitively, and insightfully about humanity, (in)justice, ethics, and real-world problems.
Why study BA World Philosophies at SOAS?
- SOAS is ranked 15th in the UK for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings 2023)
- SOAS is ranked 6th in the UK for employment outcomes (QS World University Rankings 2023)
- BA World Philosophies scored above sector in the following categories: teaching quality, learning opportunities, assessment & feedback (NSS 2024)
- We are home to the world’s first ever Decolonising Philosophy Curriculum Toolkit and Handbook
- Our average 20/21 Graduate Outcome Departmental score is 82.85% (HESA)
